Cartoon Art Museum
The Verdict
"Museum collecting original cartoon, comic, and animation art since 1984, with a permanent collection of about 7,000 pieces (original Charles Schulz pages, animation cels, editorial cartoons, graphic novel artwork). Rotating exhibitions every few months. 781 Beach Street in Fisherman's Wharf; $10 adults, free first Tuesdays; closed Tuesdays."
What you need to know
About 7,000 Original Pieces of Comic and Cartoon Art
The Cartoon Art Museum has been collecting original cartoon, comic, and animation art since 1984. The permanent collection holds about 7,000 pieces: original comic book pages, newspaper strips, animation cels, editorial cartoons, and graphic novel artwork. The museum moved to its Fisherman’s Wharf location on Beach Street in 2017 after several years in SoMa.
What’s There
Rotating exhibitions are the main draw. Past shows have covered Pixar storyboards, underground comix, political cartooning, and manga. Original Charles Schulz pages, work by contemporary graphic novelists, and editorial cartoons all show up in the galleries with context for each.
The collection spans Sunday funnies from the 1900s through modern webcomics. Special exhibitions change every few months. The museum also offers drawing workshops and classes for kids and adults.
A visit takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
Visiting
Address: 781 Beach Street, Fisherman’s Wharf
Hours: Wednesday-Monday, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM. Closed Tuesdays.
Cost: $10 adults, $6 students/seniors, free for kids under 5. Free on the first Tuesday of the month.
What to know: Check the current exhibition before going; the rotating shows vary widely. The gift shop carries graphic novels and art prints.
Getting There
Transit: Muni F-Market streetcar to Beach and Hyde. The Powell-Hyde cable car terminates a block away. Muni 30-Stockton and 47-Van Ness also stop nearby.
Parking: Fisherman’s Wharf garages on Beach and North Point.
Walking: On Beach Street near Ghirardelli Square and the Hyde Street cable car turnaround.
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