A Diverse & Inclusive Workforce
As part of our unwavering commitment to reflecting the diverse communities that we serve, we actively recruit individuals traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields with the help of local partnerships.
Our partnership with The ARC of San Francisco and AccessSFUSD matches the Academy with a range of youth and adults with developmental disabilities who gain valuable work experience and build professional skills in a number of roles and areas of the museum suited to their interests and abilities.
We work closely with Sunset Youth Services and Larkin Street Youth Services to provide work opportunities to at-risk young adults eager to develop professional skills. We also work with custodial vendors that provide job training and professional support to recently arrived immigrants on staff.
The Academy is proud to lead the Museums4Inclusion internship program for youth with developmental and intellectual disabilities. By providing hands-on science learning experience and job training opportunities, Museums4Inclusion aims to develop and grow equitable, inclusive workplaces that reflect the diverse communities that museums serve. This program is generously supported by Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation.
Security And Prohibited Items
For the safety and security of the museum, all bags and parcels are subject to inspection. Prohibited items include but might not be limited to weapons, knives, box cutters, scissors, flammable liquids, permanent markers, and spray paint. No food or beverage is permitted in the galleries at any time, except bottled water.
The Wells Fargo History Museum
The Wells Fargo History Museum is located in the center of San Franciscos financial district, and it has a fun museum all about the Wild West days of San Francisco.
Learn about Gold Rush Outlaws, see some gold nuggets and old money, and ride in a stagecoach! This museum is free all year long.
NOTE: This museum is temporarily closed as of Dec 2021.
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San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art
One of the countrys largest modern art museums, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is found just a few steps from the citys famous Yerba Buena Gardens. Apart from the 33,000 works of modern and contemporary art inside representing Frida Kahlo and Jackson Pollock’s likes, visitors will also have free access to 45,000 square feet of galleries on the ground floor of the museum. There is even an entire floor dedicated to photography. Admission is free for those 18 and younger, as well.
At more than 125 years old, De Young Museum is known for its more than 27,000 pieces spanning from the Americas, Oceania, and Africa in the forms of contemporary art, modern art, and photography. More recently, the museum has gained fame for its international textiles and costumes collections. It is located in the heart of Golden Gate Park and in 2003, upgraded its facilities thanks to a collaboration between San Francisican and Swiss architectural designers. One of the building’s best parts comes from the Observations Level of the ninth floor, which provides a stunning 360-degree view of the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Good Vibrations Antique Vibrator Museum
The Good Vibrations Museum is a popular museum with a collection of antiques from the 1800s through the mid-1970s.
You can see mail-order catalogs and advertisements for personal massagers and vibrators up through the time when they became taboo.
The museum is easy to get to in the middle of San Francisco and is free to enter.
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Donate Admission Or Event Ticket
If you have purchased tickets to an event and you are not able to attend, you can donate your tickets back to the museum for resale. You may donate your tickets until 72 hours before the program or event and receive a record of your tax-deductible contribution equivalent to the price. To donate your tickets back, please send an email to indicating the confirmation number for the original purchase. You will be sent a donation receipt via email once your unused purchase has been accepted for donation back to the museum.
Note that the museum is not able to accept tickets for donation after 72 hours prior to the program or event. Workshop registration is not able to be returned as a donation at this time.
We cannot accept donations of tickets over the phone or in person.
San Francisco Maritime Park
This museum, located on Hyde Street Pier, right between Ghirardelli Square and Fishermans Wharf, is a fun place to visit for anybody interested in old sailing ships.
Half a dozen old ships are docked at the pier, allowing you to get an up-close view of how the San Francisco waterfront operated in the 1800s.
Admission to the pier is free, but there is a $7 charge to board the ships.
TIP: If youre flying into or out of San Francisco International Airport, dont forget to stop and visit the SFO Museum. It has great historical exhibits that are fun to look at on the way to or from your plane.
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Walt Disney Family Museum
It’s not difficult to understand why families and children would probably love a trip to this museum.
In addition to learning about how Walt Disney built his studio, there are also a lot of fun things to see and do.
Visitors will have an opportunity to see exhibitions based on popular characters like Mickey Mouse and Pinocchio, just to name a couple.
The Walt Disney Family Museum also has a theater where they screen some of their most famous and beloved films!
The Japanese Tea Garden
Located in Golden Gate Park, this is an incredibly well-kept garden with trimmed lawns, sculpted trees, plants and flowers shaped into a dragon, and more.
Add a traditional Japanese tea ceremony here for just a few extra dollars, but admission into the garden is free from 9:00 10:00 AM every Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
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Free And Reduced Museum Admission
The Asian Art Museum offers free or reduced admission to its collection galleries and special exhibitions through the programs outlined below. Questions? Contact .
Membership Program
Asian Art Museum members and their guests enjoy unlimited free admission to the museums collection galleries and special exhibitions. Learn more about our world-class membership benefits on the Membership Page.
Current members may reserve their free tickets on our ticketing website using their membership ID. If you have any questions or need assistance in planning your visit, contact .
Corporate Partners
Employees of Asian Art Museums corporate sponsors and corporate members receive one or more complimentary admission tickets to both the collection galleries and special exhibitions. Check our Institutional Partnerships page to see if your employer is a corporate member. Many of our corporate partners can arrange tickets in advance by visiting our ticketing page and applying the organizations promotion code upon checkout. If you have questions about corporate benefits or coupon codes, contact .
Reciprocal Benefits
Free First Sunday
On the first Sunday of each month, general admission is free and tickets to our special exhibitions are offered at a discounted price of $10. On Free First Sundays, we have limited same-day, walk-up availability for both general admission and special exhibition tickets, so we highly recommend reserving your tickets ahead of time by visiting our ticketing page.
Save On Admission To San Francisco’s Top Museums
Save 44% on three days’ unlimited cable car rides and admission to San Francisco’s top attractions with San Francisco CityPASS. Includes California Academy of Sciences and Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure, plus two other attractions of your choice: Aquarium of the Bay, The Walt Disney Family Museum, The Exploratorium, or San Francisco Zoo & Gardens.
* Denotes part of San Francisco CityPASS.
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Free Saturdays For Bay Area Residentsreserve Online And Skip The Line
Every Saturday the Legion of Honor 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.
Yerba Buena Center For The Arts
The Yerba has rotating exhibitions on visual art, film, and performance art. They focus on how creative ideas and contemporary art can change a culture.
This location also offers a lot of community activities throughout the year, including film screenings, theatrical performances and more.
Free on the first Tuesday of each month.
While this museum started with just 100 pieces from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, it has since expanded to include art from all over the world.
Their collection now houses both traditional and contemporary Chinese art, western art, sculptures, and much more.
Best of all, they offer free admission every last Sunday of the month!
Unlike other museums, this is a non-collecting institution, which means that their exhibits are only available for a short time and everything they have to offer changes throughout the year.
Past exhibitions included the work of Rube Goldberg, Stanley Kubrick and more.
The Contemporary Jewish Museum is free on the first Tuesday of every month.
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The Walt Disney Family Museum
Families and Disney lovers wont want to miss San Franciscos own Walt Disney Museum in the city’s Presidio district. The museum is dedicated to Walt Disney’s life and all of his beloved creations, from Mickey Mouse to the Disneyland parks. There are interactive galleries and exhibits narrated by Walt Disney himself, various original artworks from cartoons and movies, and screenings of classic Disney movies shown throughout the day. By far, the biggest draw is the incredibly detailed and massive model of Disneyland that represents the park with attractions that either existed or were at their development stage while Walt was still alive.
More Free Things To Do In San Francisco
In addition to these free museum admission days, here are a few other free things to check out during your stay in San Francisco.
Lombard Street: Have you heard about San Francisco’s famous crooked street? It’s called Lombard Street and it’s a fun place to check out during your visit. You can either walk or drive down this famous street with eight hairpin turns. For those walking, you will find a set of stairs on both sides where you can watch others as they try to maneuver around each turn. Learn more here.
Painted Ladies of Alamo Square: Another fun thing to do in San Francisco is to check out the famous Painted Ladies of Alamo Square. You will find them next to Alamo Square Park. They are six identical historic Victorians with a wonderful view of downtown SF behind them. Learn more about visiting here.
Street Art: One of the cool things about SF is that you will find street art all around town. My guide offers you details on where to find the best pieces and which neighborhoods have the largest concentration. Learn more here.
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Are You A San Francisco Resident Who Receives Medi
Through San Francisco Museums for All, San Francisco residents who receive Medi-Cal or CalFresh can now receive four free tickets per visit to more than 20 museums all year round.To get your four free tickets each time you visit:
California Academy Of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences has several exhibition halls, as well as an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, a four-story rainforest habitat, a coral reef ecosystem, and more.
This museum is sure to engage and excite people of all ages, and it is included for free with multiple San Francisco tourist attraction discount passes.
Admission is free on the third Wednesday of each month and on 4 Sundays throughout the year.
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Bank Of America Museums On Us
Bank of America is a proud a supporter of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. During Museums on Us weekendsthe first full weekend of every monthBank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank cardholders receive complimentary general admission. Tickets are available onsite, day-of only, and are subject to availability arrive early for best availability.
- This offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries.
- Full-priced admission to special exhibitions still applies.
- Offer available for account holder or cardholder only.
- Visitors ages 17 and under always receive free admission to the permanent collection galleries.
- Free admission may be redeemed by presenting a Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit card and photo ID.
Museum Of The African Diaspora
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the lives and experiences of African Americans, this museum is full of exhibits covering the subject.
Many of the exhibitions at MoAD are only available for a short time, ensuring there will always be something new to see.
Admission is free for active military personnel and those ages 12 and under.
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California Academy Of Sciences*
55 Music Concourse Dr., Golden Gate Park
Home to an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum, and world-class research and educational programs, the California Academy of Sciences is one of San Francisco’s must-see destinations. From the splashing penguins in the African Hall to the wildflowers on the roof, the building is bursting with life. A four-story rainforest and awe-inspiring coral reef ecosystem delight visitors of all ages, while immersive planetarium shows transport you through space and time for a new perspective on our planet. The Academy is also topped by a 2.5-acre living roof, which is a crucial part of its eco-friendly design and operations in Golden Gate Park. Available with San Francisco CityPASS.
Reduced Rates And Community Day
The Exploratorium is dedicated to expanding access to all by providing free and low-cost admission opportunities throughout the year. Here are a few ways in which we partner with organizations around the Bay Area to provide access to teachers, students, families, and more.
Museums for All: Free Admission for EBT Cardholders and San Francisco Medi-Cal or CalFresh RecipientsThe fun and wonder of the Exploratorium are for everyone. To ensure that the Exploratorium is accessible to all, we offer four free admission tickets to EBT cardholders and San Francisco Medi-Cal or CalFresh recipients. Simply show your EBT card or San Francisco Medi-Cal or CalFresh card when you arrive.
Through the Museums for All program and San Francisco Museums for All, we’re partnering with museums across the country and city to make sure everyone can experience the best museums have to offer. To find other participating museums, visit Museums4All.org or sfhsa.org/san-francisco-museums-all.
Discover & Go Library ProgramThe Exploratorium is part of the Discover & Go program, which provides free admission to more than 35 Bay Area cultural attractions through local libraries. Check with your library to see if it participates in the program. If it does, you can get free passes online from the library’s website. Limited quantities of passes are available.
Teachers are invited to apply for the program by completing this form.
For questions, please email .
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San Francisco Museums For All Program Makes Arts Accessible To Disadvantaged
San Francisco has launched the citywide Museums for All program — which provides free and reduced admissions for low-income residents to 21 museums in an effort to support the city’s reopening and recovery.
After a successful initial launch in summer 2019, the program returns for a permanent run, building on a commitment from Mayor London Breed to offer equitable access to arts, cultural, and educational opportunities for all, including families.
“All San Franciscans, regardless of their income, deserve the opportunity to experience the joy and inspiration, and community that our incredible arts and cultural institutions have to offer,” Breed said in a statement. “As our city recovers and reopens, a permanent San Francisco Museums for All program will give families an opportunity to engage in safe, healthy, and enriching activities at a time when they need it most.”
Under the program, residents currently receiving public benefits through the city’s Human Services Agency can receive free or reduced admission for up to four people at participating museums. To participate, residents simply have to show their Electronic Benefit Transfer card or Medi-Cal card and proof of San Francisco residency.
City officials estimate a typical museum trip for a family of four in San Francisco can range anywhere from $20 to $150, often creating a barrier for low-income families.
Free + Reduced Admission
The Legion of Honor 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. To ensure your preferred time slot, please reserve your entry date and time in advance online.
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