Free Admission First Thursday Evenings For Bay Area Residents
SFMOMA
Tickets are free and reserving online is highly encouraged. Tickets go online two weeks in advance. The SFMOMA is one of the largest modern and contemporary art museums in the country with over 45,000 square feet of art-filled public spaces . The public spaces are open daily at 9:30 am with the last admission a half-hour before closing. The free admission on Thursdays is for 4 pm to 8 pm Bay Area residents with proof of residence.Another money-saving tip: Everyone 18 and under gets free admission every day.Whats great for kids: Colorful, interesting modern art exhibitions on every floor.Location: 151 Third Street, San FranciscoWebsite >
The Best Free Museums In The Bay Area
Family Fun, Lifestyle
May is Asian and Pacific Islander History Month and theres no better way to celebrate than going to see one of the most comprehensive Asian art collections in the world.
FREE first Sundays of every month. Pop over here to plan your visit.
Asian Art Museum
Bay Area Discovery Museum is a museum built for curious little minds. They have many exhibits, specializing in interactive how-it-works models and outdoor exploration.
FREE first Wednesdays of every month for Bay Area Residents.
Currently they require reservations for their free Wednesdays, which you can see listed here.
Bay Area Discovery Museum
The California Academy of Science has many interactive exhibits for science lovers, such as their natural history museum, rainforest, planetarium, or aquarium.
FREE general museum admission four Sundays a year. See here for the next upcoming free dates.
FREE weekend dates for SF residents, based on your Bay Area zip code. Look here to see when your free day would be. Children under 2 always get in for free.
Golden Gate Park
Formerly known as the Stanford University Museum of Art, this museum offers insightful art exhibitions for patrons of all ages. Best of all, its a free museum!
FREE admission for all, however it does require timed tickets due to COVID.
Tresidder Memorial Union
These Super Museums Are Free First Sundays Of The Month
Asian Art Museum
One of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian art with more than 17,000 artworks spanning 6,000 years of history. Special collection surcharges may apply.Whats great for kids: First Sundays include storytimes for kids as young as three and museum kid tours. More about the family-friendly Asian Art Museum.Location:200 Larkin Street, San Francisco
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Oakland Museum Of California
Gather for incredible art, powerful exhibitions, engaging late-night events and community parties at the Oakland Museum of California.
First Sundays of the month are free with a suggested donation of $5. You can check here for their many free museum day policies. Children under 8 always get in for free.
1000 Oak Street
Bay Area Discovery Museum: Free Admission Day
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a one-of-a-kind indoor and outdoor childrens museum at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.
COVID-19 Update As of 10/12/20 the museum is open. Outdoor spaces are open to members and the general public. Indoor spaces are reopening in phases. First to reopen: Wobbleland, Bay Hall and Art Studio! Advanced tickets are required.
The Museum is the only childrens museum in the U.S. to be located in a national park and is known for its emphasis on creativity through play and programs featuring hands-on art, science and environmental exhibitions, performances, special events, cultural festivals, and more.
Foster a lifelong love for creativity, science and art through a free visit to the museum this month, and have your kids learn about everything from spaceships to sand art.
Free First Wednesday is every other month. Admission is free to Bay Area residents*. Reservations required.
- Confirmed Free Day
- Confirmed Free Day
*Must show proof of residency in one of the nine Bay Area counties.
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Bay Area Free Museum Days
What’s not to love about museums? You learn new things. You see interesting art. You can use them as a neutral location to figure out whether or not your Tinder date is a total creep. But getting in the door can get pricey, which is why free days are a total blessing. We put them all in one place just for you.
Reciprocal Memberships To Bay Area Museums Science Centers And Zoos
Wait, theres more! Membership to one or two museums can also get you discounts and free admission to others if the museums in question participate in the North American Reciprocal Museum , Association of Zoos and Aquariums , or the Association of Childrens Museums . Targeted to membership families who travel to grandmas house and can go to the zoo or childrens museum both here and there, these programs might give you perks at other local Bay Area museums. The details will vary.
Whatd we miss? Tell us in the comments!
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Free Admission & Discounts For Those Using Snap Benefits
Lots of Bay Area Museums participate in Museums 4 All, offering free and reduced museum admission to those receiving food assistance . Across the United States, 500 museums participate. Here are a few dozen Bay Area museums. The offer of free or discounted admission and how often you can use it will vary by museum.
Bay Area participating Museums For All
California Academy Of Sciences
San Francisco residents get a special treat: you get two free weekends each year, once in the fall and once in the spring, based on your zip code. Check this out, to find the next free date.
This ultra-cool museum also lets the general public get in for free, four Sundays a year. Check here for the next free day. Pro-tip: get their early because the crowds are sure to be in full effect.
55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate ParkSan Francisco, CA
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Free Admission On The First Tuesdays Each Month
de Young Museum
One of the most visited art museums in the country, the de Young showcases a priceless collection of American art from the 17th through 20th centuries along with art from Central and South America and the Pacific, in addition to an impressive collection of textiles. Special exhibition fees may apply. Also free for Bay Area residents every Saturday!Whats great for kids: the de Youngsters Studio was built to get kids, especially ages 3 to 8, exploring art and technology & lots of places to play in Golden Gate Park. Many de Youngsters activities have moved online, so check before you go.Location: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate ParkWebsite >
Legion of Honor Museum
This exquisite building with an incredible view overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge contains 4,000 years of ancient and European art. Some special exhibition surcharges may apply. Also free for Bay Area residents every Saturday!Whats great for kids: Ok, so this museum is pretty old-school and not very exciting for most children. You might need to take advantage of other nearby perks to amuse the little ones.Location: 100 34th Ave, San Francisco
Conservatory of Flowers
Some Of Our Favorite Places With The Kids
The real-water elevated stream with the toy fish to play with in the Tot Spot area, with the optional overalls to keep from getting wet.
Chalk and things to write on are scattered at different places on different days
The giant foam pad pieces for building things
The room full of toy trains and a full size fishing boat with toy fish.
The vibraphones and drums to play in the main open area.
The bubble machines!
Note: We are former members of the Bay Area Discovery Museum, but have no current business connections with them.
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The Bay Area Discovery Museum Sausalito
This Sausalito childrens museum is one of the most popular spots for kids in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a young childs paradise, designed for experiential learning and play for children from the ages of 6 months through 8 years, along with their families, educators and caregivers. There are both permanent exhibits and a rotating series of special programs at the indoor-outdoor facility located at the old Fort Baker at the southern edge of Sausalito. They also have a Beansprouts Cafe on site, and you can check here for its current hours.
Free daily programs included in General Admission Purchase at the Bay Area Discovery Museum Sausalito are listed here. The Empowered Kids online story program is summarized here.
Summer camp programsare listed here. Information about the Discovery Preschool program is listed here.
A Rainy Day Spot to Visit with Young Children! Although there are open spaces between the various buildings there are a lot of dry spaces to hang out and experience lots of interactive activities for little kids.
Safety & Supervision rules: Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Adults must be accompanied by one or more kids. All visiting groups must at all times maintain a minimum ratio of one adult for every five kids at all times.
Free + Reduced Admission
The de Young offers several programs for free or reduced admission to permanent galleries and special exhibitions. Details on these programs are outlined below.
Learn about the extra precautions to welcome you back. We will require timed tickets for every visitor, including general admission and admission to special exhibitions. To ensure your preferred time slot, please reserve your entry date and time in advance online.
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Free Bay Area Museums
- Bay Model Visitor Center, Sausalito scale model of the San Francisco Bay is large, fascinating, and free Tue Sat. Run around the waterfront after your visit. Website >
- Cable Car Museum Learn about Free admission every day except when closed on Mondays, New Years Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Website >
- Musée Mécanique One of the worlds largest collections of coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade machines in their original working condition. Prices range from 1¢ to $1. Most games cost 25¢ to 50¢. Free admission every day 365 days a year. Website >
- Rosie the Riveter Museum Open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. A visual and interactive way to learn about the homefront of World War II Website >
- San Francisco Fire Department Museum Open Thu Sun. and donations are appreciated. Website >
- San Francisco Railway Museum The museum features a full-sized replica of the motormans platform of a 1911 San Francisco streetcar, where kids can work the controls. Open Thursday through Saturday. Website >
For visiting museums for free on other days, plan ahead for Discover & Go passes >
Museum Of Craft And Design
Get your hands ready for all sorts of craft workshops and engaging design displays.
FREE Museums visit first Tuesday of each month.
The museum gives free admission to EBT holders, first responders, and military personnel and their families. Children under 12 get in for free. Check here for more detailed info.
2569 Third Street
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Bank Of America Free Days
Called Museums on Us, holders of Bank of America credit cards and debit cards get free admission to specific Bay Area museums for one weekend each month typically the first full weekend of the month. Museums recognizing this cardholder perk include Oakland Museum of California, de Young Museum , Contemporary Jewish Museum , San Jose Museum of Art , and The Tech Interactive . Find more museums around the country with this perk >
Check Out A Museum Membership From Your Library
Many local libraries have Bay Area Discovery Museum Membership Cards that can be checked out and used to visit the museum. Check with your local library.
- Discover & Go Library Programs: San Francisco | | Sonoma County | Napa County | Solano County | Contra Costa County | Alameda County | Santa Clara County
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Bay Area Discovery Museum
The Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito is a must-see destination for families with young children. The museum consists of several inviting and inspiring permanent exhibits, art studios and play areas. A major highlight is the Lookout Cove outdoor exploration area with a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Bay Area Discovery Museum offers engaging summer and school break camps, as well as super fun birthday party packages. The on-site Bean Sprouts Café provides healthy, kid-friendly foods in a playful environment.
The museum frequently hosts special events, including family concerts, cultural events and holiday celebrations. The ever popular Goblin Jamboree in October is a real treat.
The museum offers free admission on the first Wednesday of each month and has an open door policy that admits families on most days, except for a few special events, on a pay-what-you-can basis.
Copyright 2002-2022 Bay Area Kid Fun – All Rights Reserved – Jamie Jarvis
Free First Wednesday At Children’s Discovery Museum
Wed Sep 7, 2022Website
The Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito is free on the first Wednesday of every month. located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, the museum has exhibits and daily programs perfect for kids 6 months to 8 years old.
Advanced reservations are not required, and a suggested $20 donation per group is appreciated.
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Free And Discount Days At Bay Area Museums
Museum entrance fees, especially to the Bay Areas most popular venues, can really add up. But exposing your children to art, culture and science doesnt have to be expensive. Check out these museums on their free and discount days. Just plan ahead for possible crowds and get there early to make the most of your visit.
Bay Area Discovery Museum Free first Wednesday of each month. East Fort Baker, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. 415-339-3900.
San Francisco
Asian Art Museum Admission is first-come, first-served on Target First Free Sundays, which offer special family-friendly tours and art projects. 200 Larkin St. 415-581-3500.
California Academy of Sciences San Francisco residents can visit for free on select weekends, designated by zip code in March 2019 and in the fall. Occasional community free days are also offered. See website for details. Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive. 415-379-8000.
Cartoon History Museum Pay what you wish on the first Tuesday of each month. 415-227-8666. 781 Beach St.
Conservatory of Flowers First Tuesday of each month. 100 John F. Kennedy Drive. 415-831-2090.
Contemporary Jewish Museum First Tuesday of each month. 736 Mission St. 415-655-7800.
de Young Museum First Tuesday of each month. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. 415-750-3600.
Exploratorium “Pay-what-you-wish” on several annual Community Days. Check website. Pier 15. 415-528-4444.
Legion of Honor First Tuesday of each month. 100 34th Ave. 415-750-3600.
East Bay
Free Saturdays For Bay Area Residentsreserve Online And Skip The Line
Every Saturday the de Young offers free general admission to all residents of the nine Bay Area counties.
- This offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries. Additional fees may apply for special exhibitions.
Discover & Go offers free general admission for California library cardholders.
- This offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries.
- Full-priced admission to special exhibitions still applies.
- Free admission may be redeemed by presenting a Discover & Go voucher at the Ticketing and Membership Desks. Register online to receive a dated Discover & Go voucher prior to visiting pending ticket availability. Due to ongoing precautions related to COVID-19, gallery capacity is limited.
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How To Get In Free To Dozens Of Bay Area Museums Science Centers + Gardens
Many of the Bay Areas very best museums are free at least one day each month. These recurring free museum days are often crowded, but if you arrive early enough, youll stand a great chance of enjoying world-class museums for $0 plus parking and snacks .
Note that holidays can change regularly scheduled free days and open hours, so please check with the museums first before attending.
What Is There To Do
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a one-of-a-kind indoor and outdoor facility at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, so if you only go for the view you will have a great time!
This fun children’s museum is the ONLY museum in the USA to be located in a national park – even more reason to visit! The exhibits within the Bay Area Discovery Museum are ALL about the kids, and each one is designed to give them hands-on learning experiences, to develop their senses, allow them to be curious, to discover, and make new friends!
Suited for kids as young as 6 months, and up to 10 years, they have emphasis on creativity through play, on topics ranging from science, the arts, environment, and just having fun!
Those toddlers in the family can enjoy their own play area in Tot Spot – a multi-sensory experience perfect for the younger family members. Here they can have kiddie sized fun with others their own age, and really helping them in their young years!
Don’t miss The Fab Lab for those kids who love to see how things workd, with digital fabrication technology such as 3D printing, and even laser cutters and vinyl cutters!
Kids can navigate wind tunnels, feel the rush of cold-water tide pools, transform into a spider, build a bridge, and SO much more!
If they love the outdoors, there is plenty for them to enjoy the sun, including a 2.5 acre interactive outdoor exploration area, and an Imagination Playground!
It’s time to get exploring!
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