November brings a rare visitor to San Francisco. Mission Local's monthly museum guide points to a thousand-year-old Cambodian bronze at the Asian Art Museum in Civic Center.

Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean

The show runs from Oct. 23 through Jan. 25, 2027, in the Osher Foundation Gallery, the museum says. It centers on the West Mebon Reclining Vishnu, a nearly 20-foot-long bronze from the Khmer kingdom of Angkor. The museum says it is the only West Coast stop before the statue goes home to Cambodia. "This is the last chance that this great masterpiece will be out of the country," said Chhay Visoth, director of the National Museum of Cambodia. Entry is included with general admission.

Mission Local noted that the statue was rediscovered in 1936. The museum also has "Ha Chong-Hyun: Retrospective" and "Kim Minwook: On Carving, Bending, and Binding Wood," which runs until March 29.

Día de los Muertos at SOMArts

"In Their Name: Día de los Muertos 2026," curated by Rio Yañez and Bridgétt Rex, runs at SOMArts through Nov. 20. Mission Local reported that a closing party and drag show is set for Friday, Nov. 20, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Also on

"Martin Venezky: Process Work" is at the Letterform Archive until Nov. 8. Mission Local also noted hard times for local cultural centers. The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts has suspended operations, and SOMArts is trying to close a budget gap.

For more to do, see November restaurant openings.