rules verified on official museum sites · updated Sept 1 · next dates computed daily
Free museum days in the Bay Area, every month
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The recurring free days that actually repeat — first Tuesdays, first Sundays, resident Saturdays — with the next date worked out for each, the fine print included, and an honest list of the museums that have no free days at all, so you can stop searching.
First Tuesday of the month
FreeNext: Tue, Nov 3
de Young Museum
Free first Tuesday
Free general admission for all; special-exhibition surcharge still applies
Official free-admission page →
FreeNext: Tue, Nov 3
Legion of Honor
Free first Tuesday
Free general admission for all; special-exhibition surcharge still applies
Official free-admission page →
FreeNext: Tue, Nov 3
Conservatory of Flowers
Free first Tuesday
Free for all; also free daily for SF residents with proof; veterans + EBT free
Official free-admission page →
First Wednesday of the month
FreeNext: Wed, Nov 4
San Francisco Zoo
SF Resident Free Day
SF residents only — government ID showing SF residency, one free admission per ID; dates published individually (Sept 2 and Oct 7, 2026 confirmed on the zoo calendar) — reconfirm monthly
Official free-admission page →
FreeNext: Wed, Nov 4
GLBT Historical Society Museum
Free first Wednesday
All visitors; no online tickets on free days — first-come, capacity-limited
Official free-admission page →
First Sunday of the month
FreeNext: Sun, Nov 1
Asian Art Museum
Free First Sunday
General admission free for all; special exhibitions $15 (not free); advance reservation highly recommended
Official free-admission page →
FreeNext: Sun, Nov 1
Oakland Museum of California
First Sundays free
Free INCLUDING special exhibitions in the Great Hall; no reservation needed; under-12 always free
Official free-admission page →
Weekly free windows
FreeNext: Sat, Oct 24
de Young Museum + Legion of Honor
Free Saturdays (Bay Area residents)
Residents of 9 Bay Area counties with ID/proof of address; permanent collection only; 17-and-under always free
Official free-admission page →
FreeNext: Wed, Oct 21
Japanese Tea Garden
Free entry 9–10am Mon/Wed/Fri
Free for all during the 9–10am hour ONLY; always free for SF residents with proof, veterans, EBT
Official free-admission page →
Bank of America cardholders: the first full weekend
Not free-for-everyone, but free-for-a-lot-of-wallets — worth knowing before you pay full price at seven Bay Area museums.
No free days (so you stop searching)
We checked so you don’t have to keep googling “free day” every month. These museums have no recurring free admission days — here’s what exists instead.
Cal Academy of Sciences
No recurring free days in 2026 (neighborhood/quarterly programs were 2014–2018 era). EBT $5, Discover & Go passes exist.
Reduced-admission options →
Exploratorium
No general-public free days (EBT/Medi-Cal $5, CA teachers free).
Reduced-admission options →
Bay Area Discovery Museum
No free days (Museums for All EBT discount only).
Reduced-admission options →
Children's Discovery Museum San Jose
No free evenings/days; no evening hours at all (9:30–4:30 Tue–Sun); EBT $5.
Reduced-admission options →
Chabot Space & Science Center
No free admission days — but free telescope viewings every Fri + Sat 7:30–10:30pm (observatory deck only, weather permitting).
Reduced-admission options →
Prefer passes over dates? See free museum programs & library passes — Discover & Go, resident days and more.
Want a free museum morning built into a whole day — nap window, lunch and a park run included?
Plan it with Phirky →