People in the Court of Honor at the Legion of Honor

Court of Honor at the Legion of Honor museum, 2011. Photograph by Henrik Kam

Museum policies

In alignment with Bay Area public health guidelines, masking is no longer required while inside the de Young or Legion of Honor. Proof of vaccination is not required for museum or café visits. Learn about more about our COVID safety guidelines.

We reserve the right to deny admission, prevent entry, and / or ask a person already admitted to leave for failure to comply with any Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco policy. The following policies apply to the Museums’ indoor and outdoor areas.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming museum experience for all members of our community. Racism, discrimination, or abusive behavior of any sort will not be tolerated.

Standard-size backpacks are allowed. All bags, purses, and backpacks larger than 8 in by 8 in by 5 in must be carried by hand. To ensure the safety of the collection, we do not permit visitors to carry bags on their backs in the galleries. If you are a visitor with a disability and unable to carry your backpack by hand, you can either check your backpack with coat check on the lower level or ask for a heart sticker to put on your backpack. The sticker alerts Security that you are allowed to wear your backpack on your shoulders. Bags larger than an average carry-on (exceeding 9 in x 14 in x 22 in) are not allowed and cannot be stored at coat check.

Standard-size strollers are allowed; however please note that some exhibitions have restricted stroller access. Infant changing stations are available in all restrooms.

Please check

  • Metal-frame backpacks
  • Oversize packs and bags
  • Long umbrellas
  • Rollerblades, skateboards, helmets, and collapsible scooters
  • Baby-carrier backpacks (unless convertible to the front) and oversize or jogging strollers

Prohibited items

  • Weapons
  • Knives, box cutters, and scissors
  • Flowers, plants, feathers, and balloons
  • Flammable liquids
  • Permanent markers and spray paint
  • Bicycles (bicycles can be secured at outside racks)
  • Oversize luggage (exceeding 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches)
  • Electrically motorized boards (hoverboards)

Shirt and shoes are required (no cleats or wheeled shoes).

Only food and beverages purchased in the cafés are allowed in the cafés and adjoining terraces. City ordinance does not permit smoking or vaping in the museum or park.

Only service and support animals are allowed in the museum.

Artwork policy

Do not touch the art, including pedestals and bases. Please keep your hands at least 18 inches away from artworks.

Personal photography

The capture of still photography and short videos with smartphones or small handheld cameras for personal use is generally allowed in the open spaces and permanent collection galleries, (exceptions are noted near the title of each work). Large cameras, tripods, selfie sticks, flash photography, and long-form videos are not allowed. 

Professional photography (including wedding and engagement photography) is not allowed inside Museum galleries. 

  • Special / temporary exhibitions
    Photography is allowed in most special exhibition galleries, unless otherwise stated on-site.
  • Legion of Honor’s Court of Honor
    Personal and professional photography (including engagement and graduation photography) is allowed in the Court of Honor with a handheld camera, so long as the shoot does not prevent visitors from entering the building (including the colonnade) or enjoying the art. Tripods, selfie sticks, light fixtures, props, and other camera equipment are not allowed. 
  • Turrell Skyspace
    Commercial photography of any kind is not allowed without explicit permission from the artist.
  • Drones
    The operation or use of any drones, unmanned aircraft / flying systems, and remotely controlled or radio-controlled flying machines (whether or not motorized) of all types, shapes, and sizes at any time in the vicinity of or on Museum property is prohibited. 

Share your images with us on social media by tagging #LegionOfHonor and #deYoungMuseum.

Commercial photography

If you are interested in renting the de Young or Legion of Honor for a commercial photo or video shoot, advanced approval and contracting are required. Please contact rentalevents@famsf.org for more information. 

Media and press photography

Press images of the de Young and Legion of Honor are available for media stories. Once you select an image, caption information can be found under the “i” icon in the top right-hand corner

If you are interested in exhibition images, please visit the press room or reach out to press@famsf.org

Submit a request for a photo or video shoot.

Sketching policy

Sketching is allowed for individuals using a pencil and a small (9 in by 12 in or smaller) handheld pad during public hours in the permanent collection. Sketching in special exhibition galleries requires a sketching permit and is subject to lender and gallery restrictions. Please see our sketching, copying, and painting rules / permit application for more information.