The Beat Museum, Museum of Beat Generation in North Beach, San Francisco, United States.
The Beat Museum is an art museum in North Beach, San Francisco, dedicated to the literature and art movement of the Beat Generation. The collection displays handwritten manuscripts, photographs, personal objects, and first editions that document the creative output of this era.
The museum was founded in Monterey in 2003 and moved to San Francisco in 2006, settling in the former Swiss American Hotel. This building was an important gathering place for Beat writers and represents the movement's connection to the city.
The museum honors Beat writers and their connection to the counterculture movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Visitors can see how these authors challenged society and introduced new forms of writing that continue to influence artists today.
The museum is open Thursday through Monday and offers a visit of about one hour. Visitors should note that weekends tend to be busier, and the rooms can feel somewhat crowded during peak times.
The museum displays personal items such as Neal Cassady's referee shirt from the Acid Test movement. Another highlight is the 1949 Hudson car that later appeared in the On The Road film, showing how literature and cinema were intertwined in this era.
Location: San Francisco
Inception: 2003
Address: 540 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-19:00; Tuesday off; Wednesday off
Website: http://kerouac.com
GPS coordinates: 37.79806,-122.40618
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42
San Francisco brings together historical monuments and natural sites that reflect the city's unique history and geography. The Golden Gate Bridge, a 2,737-meter-long suspension bridge completed in 1937, is one of the region's most recognizable structures. Alcatraz Island, a former high-security federal prison operating from 1934 to 1963, is located in the bay and is visited by ferry. The Painted Ladies, seven Victorian houses built between 1892 and 1896, exemplify San Francisco’s characteristic residential architecture with their colorful facades facing Alamo Square Park. The city also includes Fisherman's Wharf, a historic port district developed from late 19th-century Italian fishing piers, and the Fillmore, a performance hall from the 1910s that contributed to the development of the West Coast music scene. Twin Peaks provide viewpoints at 928 feet (283 meters), while Lands End features rocky cliffs and hiking trails at the western tip of the peninsula. The Cable Cars, a mechanical transportation system operating since 1873, run on three lines through San Francisco's sloped streets.
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