What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 7pm Tuesday 10am - 7pm Wednesday 10am - 7pm Thursday 10am - 7pm Friday 10am - 7pm Saturday 10am - 7pm Sunday 10am - 7pm

Treasure Island Museum

Name: Treasure Island Museum
Address: 39 Treasure Island Road, San Francisco, CA, 94130, US
Telephone: +14154138462
Price range: Not applicable

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Treasure Island Museum

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Our mission is to tell the story of Treasure Island and its unique role in the Bay Area. Please check our website for updates and a schedule of activities!

The original museum was located in the lobby of Building One on Treasure Island. It began as and officially remained a Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard museum, but over the years its collecting and exhibiting areas included the colorful span of Treasure Island's "life story," including the building of the island, the Bay Bridge, the China Clipper flying boats, Yerba Buena Island, and especially the Golden Gate International Exposition, for which Treasure Island was built in 1937-1938. The museum was shut down when the Navy closed Naval Station Treasure Island in 1997. Thanks to the persistence of a group of volunteers, in all likelihood a new museum will emerge when Treasure Island redevelopment gets underway. In the meantime, TIMA has installed a free exhibit in the lobby of Building One which tells the story of Treasure Island. The Treasure Island Museum Association also hosts tours of the island and participates in programs around the Bay Area.

10/19/2026

Pacific Unity, the theme of the Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939 and 1940, found its most eloquent expression in the fair’s Court of Pacifica. This popular attraction included The Fountain of Western Waters, a circular, three-tiered fountain featuring twenty sculptures by local artists; six of these were recently reinstalled in front of historic Treasure Island Building One.

Twelve small sculptures, including four featured in the new installation, were arranged on the fountain’s tiers. These dynamic sculptures capture youthful figures in action: dancing, making music, working, and even sleeping.

Eight poised and dignified large sculptures, including the one pictured here, stood in the plaza surrounding the fountain. They represent the primary geographic regions of the Pacific: North and South America, the South Pacific, and Asia.

Sixteen of the original sculptures survive as part of the Treasure Island Development Authority’s collection of historic assets.

10/15/2026

Six of the Pacific Unity sculptures are being reinstalled in front of historic Building One this morning.

10/14/2026

Become a Treasure Island Museum Volunteer

As Treasure Island Museum's public profile expands, our service to the community and our role in the revitalization of Treasure Island have as well. We rely heavily on the support of our island neighbors, the local history community, and a team of dedicated volunteers to make the most of these opportunities.

We currently have volunteers creating online content, leading tours and speaking on behalf of the organization, overseeing fundraising campaigns and education programs, as well as working in the archives, photographing and annotating artifacts. They have selected and assumed a role suited to their interests, skills, temperament, and availability.

Simply send us an email if you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities at Treasure Island Museum: [email protected]

10/13/2026

Join us on Friday, November 13 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Enjoy craft cocktails and live jazz in Gold Bar Wh***ey's popular tasting room. A no-host bar will offer tempting libations, as well as non-alcoholic options and snacks.

Museum director John Hogan will offer free tours of historic Building One (at 5:30 PM) and of our current exhibition of works by artists featured on Treasure Island during the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1939 (at 6:30 PM).

And consider adding a cocktail class to your experience. Featuring award-winning Gold Bar Wh***ey, the interactive class introduces the world of fine spirits via a guided tasting; students learn to craft - and get to enjoy - three classic cocktails. Visit their website for details and to purchase tickets for the optional class that begins at 3:45 on Friday, November 13.

10/08/2026

Treasure Island will be a busy place during this weekend's Fleet Week festivities, given its unmatched views of the bay, the bridges, and the sky above. Parking will be very limited and public transit options (which we usually recommend without reservation) could also be challenging.

If you are NOT a fan of large crowds, this weekend is one to avoid when planning your visit to Treasure Island and the museum.

Please note: As a city owned and operated property, Building One - and, in turn, our museum - will be closed on Monday, October 12 in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day.

image:
Automobile Traffic on Opening Day
February 18, 1939
Treasure Island Museum Collection

10/06/2026

Among the unique artifacts in a recent donation are three souvenir lobby cards featuring celebrities who hosted remote radio broadcasts from Treasure Island during the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1939: Major Bowes (the host of The Original Amateur Hour), Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll (white actors who created and starred as Amos and Andy, a radio and stage sitcom about black characters), and matinee cowboy Buck Jones (who appeared in serial Westerns on the radio and later on television).

During one of his broadcasts from Treasure Island, Bowes featured the colorful barkers and carnival pitchmen from the fair's sideshows. He included a carnie from Sally Rand’s N**e Ranch who delivered his risqué patter, unedited and live over the airwaves, before network censors cut him off.

10/05/2026

We are pleased to announce that Treasure Island Museum is among this year's first-time recipients of San Francisco Grants for the Arts funding.

The Arts Commission and Grants for the Arts recently announced a combined investment in local nonprofits totaling over $25 million, supporting nearly 400 local artists and arts organizations. Click here to learn more and to see a list of our fellow 2026 grantees: https://www.sf.gov/departments--city-administrator--grants-arts

10/01/2026

Recalling historic Building One's golden era, when it was the city's first international airport, our annual Swing Dance Benefit featured dancing to live music by the Nick Rossi Swing Six, Gold Bar Distillery cocktails, The Decobelles, and a one-night-only exhibition of rarely-seen artifacts from the museum's Pan American Airways collection.

09/25/2026

Tickets to our popular Swing Dance (this Saturday night at 7 PM) will be available at the door.

09/23/2026

Thanks to the generosity of Treasure Island Community Development, you will be able to take the Treasure Island Ferry both to and from the island on the night of our upcoming Swing Dance. Ferry service will be extended this Saturday to return guests to the mainland, under the light of a full moon, at the end of the evening.

Tickets are available now:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1995133605321?aff=oddtdtcreator

Learn more about Treasure Island Community Development:
https://www.tisf.com/

Cross Media International photograph

Address

39 Treasure Island Road
San Francisco, CA
94130

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 7pm
Tuesday	10am - 7pm
Wednesday	10am - 7pm
Thursday	10am - 7pm
Friday	10am - 7pm
Saturday	10am - 7pm
Sunday	10am - 7pm

Telephone

+14154138462

Website

http://www.treasureislandmuseum.org/

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