Curated Guide

Bay Area museums: check free admission options

Review the current listing details below before choosing an outing.

15 spots curatedUpdated Oct 21, 2026

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Featured uses Phirky family appeal and guide fit. Distance uses your browser location only on this device.

Saved outing choices

Pick 1

Bill's Backyard

Ages: 0-12

Cost: free

Parking: Nearest parking: SP+ Parking (~1 min walk) · ParkSJ: Woz/87 Lot (~2 min walk)

Address: 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110, USA

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Pick 2

Palo Alto Museum

Ages: 0-12

Cost: paid

Parking: Nearest parking: Lot M (~2 min walk) · Gilman / Waverley Lot G (~3 min walk)

Address: 300 Homer Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA

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Pick 3

Exploratorium

Ages: 0-18

Cost: $29 adults, $19 youth (13-17), free for children under 3; free community days available

Hours: Monday: Closed; Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM

Parking: Nearest parking: Exploratorium Parking (~3 min walk) · Motorcycle Parking Metered Spots 2 (~4 min walk)

Address: Pier 15 Embarcadero at, Green St, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA

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Pick 4

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Ages: 0+

Cost: General admission: children 1-17 and adults 18-64 $25; seniors 65+ $23; babies under 1 free. Eligible discounts have conditions; Goblin Jamboree uses separate pricing. Parking is complimentary.

Hours: Monday: Closed; Tuesday: Closed; Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Thursday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Parking: Nearest parking: Shore parking (~5 min walk) · Shore parking (~5 min walk)

Address: Art Studios, 557 McReynolds Rd, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA

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Pick 5

California Academy of Sciences

Ages: 0-18

Cost: $40 adults, $30 children (ages 3-17), free for children under 3. Check for free admission days quarterly.

Hours: Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Parking: Nearest parking: Bike Parking - Cal Academy (~2 min walk) · Music Concourse Underground Garage (~5 min walk)

Address: 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA

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Pick 6