The de Young Museum, together with the Legion of Honor, forms the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, making it the largest public arts institution in the city and one of the largest art museums in the United States. These museums are located on the historic land of the Ramaytush Ohlone, the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. The de Young, established in 1895, houses an extensive collection of American art from the 17th century to the present, as well as textiles, costumes, African art, Oceanic art, arts of the Americas, and international contemporary art.

The Legion of Honor, opened in 1924, showcases European painting, sculpture, decorative arts, ancient art, graphic arts, and contemporary art. The mission of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco is to connect visitors with local and global art, promoting knowledge, curiosity, and creative agency. With inclusive and equitable perspectives, they aim to redefine the museums as a forum for community and visitor conversations and explorations