Many of the Bay Area’s 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, you’ll stand a great chance of enjoying world-class museums for just the cost of parking and snacks (and maybe a special exhibition fee here and there).
Thank you to the Oakland Museum of California for sponsoring this post. Explore OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace located inside the Gallery of California Natural Sciences and specifically designed for children age 2–5. Added bonus: kids 12 and under receive free admission every day.
Always Free | Free on 1st Sundays | Free on 1st Tuesdays | Free on 2nd Tuesdays | Free on 1st Wednesdays | Free on 1st Thursdays | Free on Saturdays | Free on 2nd Saturdays | Free on Select Days | Free to SNAP benefits holders| Free to members of other museums | Free weekends to B of A cardholders | Free to library cardholders
Note that holidays can change open hours and regularly scheduled free days, so please check with the museums first before attending.
FREE admission on the first Sunday of each month
Oakland Museum of California
OMCA specializes in collections of art, history, and natural science to tell the story of California. Free general admission is available on the first Sunday of each month, and kids 12 and younger are always free. On free first Sundays, special exhibitions in the Great Hall are offered at a discounted price of $6 for anyone over 12.
What’s great for kids: The OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace is a must-visit for imaginative play. California historical exhibits include wagons you can climb into, fur you can pet, and video stories you can watch. Look out for yearly festivities like the Dia De Los Muertos celebration which is colorful and accessible for kids and the Lunar New Year festival with performances and hands on activities. The garden area provides a lovely outdoor picnic space. Rotating exhibits may or may not be family-friendly.
Location: 1000 Oak Street, Oakland
Website >
Asian Art Museum (San Francisco)
One of the largest museums in the Western world, the Asian Art Museum is devoted exclusively to Asian art with more than 17,000 artworks spanning 6,000 years of history. If you are looking to see a special exhibit on your visit, access to special exhibits are discounted at $15 per person on these days.
What’s great for kids: First Sundays historically have include Family Storytelling for kids as young as three as well as museum kid tours.
Location: 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco
Website >
FREE admission on the first Tuesday of each month
SF Conservatory of Flowers (San Francisco)
We love the Conservatory of Flowers for mixed-generation outings. While some of their exhibits have been more and less family-friendly over time, this wood and glass greenhouse is the oldest existing conservatory of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. The conservatory features 1,700 species of rare, exotic, and endangered plants from more than 50 different countries.
What’s great for kids: Kids will like the scavenger hunt (ask at the front desk!), warm weather in the greenhouse, and free-range butterflies. It’s also easy to combine a visit to the Conservatory of Flowers with a trip to Koret Playground in Golden Gate Park.
Location: 100 John F Kennedy Dr, San Francisco – Golden Gate Park
Website >
de Young Museum (San Francisco)
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, and additionally, an impressive collection of textiles. Free general admission for all on the first Tuesday. Bay Area residents are also free every Saturday!
What’s great for kids: Walk through the gardens to see the charming apple sculptures or relax in the skyspace. Events on Free Saturdays include family art making and sketching in the galleries (which may be better for grade school kids), and family tours.
Location: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park
Website >
Legion of Honor Museum (San Francisco)
This exquisite building with an incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge boasts a collection spanning more than 5,000 years, ranging from ancient Greek sculptures to French Impressionist paintings to contemporary African textiles. Free general admission for all on the first Tuesday (special exhibition surcharges may apply). Also free for Bay Area residents every Saturday!
What’s 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 parks to amuse the little ones.
Location: 100 34th Ave, San Francisco
Website >
Honorable Mention: Cartoon Art Museum (San Francisco) | Pay What You Wish Day
Situated near the always exciting Fisherman’s Wharf, the Cartoon Art Museum has lots to see: comic strips, anime, political cartoons, graphic novels. People of all ages are welcome to wander the exhibitions and screenings and create their own comics and animation at workshops.
What’s great for kids: So many fun things to look at on the walls although it may not keep most kids’ attention for very long. Pair this trip with a cable car ride and/or a ferry ride from the East Bay.
Location: 781 Beach Street, San Francisco
Website >
FREE admission on the second Tuesday of each month
San Francisco Botanical Garden
The botanical gardens are free daily from 7:30 to 9 am, and the second Tuesday of every month. Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day are free as well.
What’s great for kids: Nestled within San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, the Botanical Gardens make for a fun day trip. Pack a picnic to enjoy on the lawn, explore the children’s garden, wander through the hidden paths, and visit the koi fish. Bean Sprout Days are fun hands on gardening family programs, that you can attend for free if you arrive in the garden by 9 am. Find more family and community activities.
Location: 1199 9th Ave, San Francisco
Website >
FREE admission on the first Wednesday of each month
Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito) | First Wednesdays Twice a Year
Located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge on 7.5 acres of National Park land in Sausalito, the Bay Area Discovery Museum features several discovery zones including Discovery Beach, Mud Kitchen, and Art Zone. Not every first Wednesday of the month is free: their free First Wednesday admission program is now twice a year and limited to Bay Area residents; see the website or call for more details.
What’s great for kids: The whole indoor/outdoor location is a wonderful place to play with children, ages 6 months to 10 years. Find out why we love the Discovery Museum in Sausalito.
Location: 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito
Website >
GLBT Historical Society Museum (San Francisco)
The GLBT Historical Society Museum, located in the Castro District, is the first stand-alone museum of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender history and culture in the United States. While designed primarily with an adult audience in mind, they welcome families and children.
What’s great for kids: Ride a streetcar to get there. Stop by the front desk to ask for a family-friendly path through the museum (and how to avoid some of the more sexually explicit material). Walk 10 minutes to Mission Dolores Park for after-museum playground time.
Location: 4127 18th Street, San Francisco
Website >
FREE admission first Thursday of each month
BAMPFA (Berkeley)
UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) is a forum for cultural experiences that transform individuals and advance the local, national, and global discourse on art and film. Also keep in mind this money-saving tip: one adult can receive free admission on second Saturdays when accompanied by a child 13 and under.
What’s great for kids: Colorful, interesting modern art exhibitions on every floor of this special place. Art Lab is great for creating experimental art pieces with supplies available.
Location: 2155 Center Street, Berkeley
Website >
Museum of Craft and Design (San Francisco)
This vibrant museum/art gallery showcases ever-changing exhibits that celebrate the art of making. Featuring inspiring works in art, craft, and design.
What’s great for kids: The John and Robyn Horn MakeArt Lab features daily hands-on projects—perfect for visitors of all ages to explore new themes and materials.
Location: 2569 Third Street, San Francisco
Website >
FREE admission every Saturday
de Young Museum (San Francisco)
Both the deYoung Fine Art Museum and Legion of Honor in San Francisco are free every Saturday for Bay Area residents. They are both listed earlier in this post under “First Tuesdays”.
What’s great for kids: Saturdays feature kid friendly free drop-in programs like Sketching in the Galleries or Family Art Making.
Location: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco
Website >
Chabot Space & Science Center Observatory Deck | Most Friday & Saturday Nights
Weather permitting, the observatory deck at Chabot is free to visit on Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30 to 10:30 pm to view the spectacular night sky through their telescopes. Note: this program doesn’t include general admission to the museum.
What’s great for kids: Star-loving kids can check out the telescopes for free. Volunteers are friendly and help all visitors see the celestial bodies. Don’t forget to bundle up and check out these other helpful tips before visiting the observation deck.
Location: 10000 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland
Website >
FREE admission every second Saturday of the month
Museum of the African Diaspora (San Francisco)
MoAD celebrates Black cultures, ignites challenging conversations, and inspires learning through the global lens of the African Diaspora.
What’s great for kids: View art, film, poetry, and other works of art from Black artists. Thrive @ MoAD, a free community day that takes place every month, features family-friendly activities including a museum tour, art projects, and entertainment. Past acts have included a youth circus group, a middle school dance team, and a drag queen story hour.
Location: 685 Mission Street, San Francisco
Website >
FREE admission on Select Days
SFMOMA (San Francisco) | Community Day and Family Day
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 (no ticket required). Free Family Day, and Free Community Day tickets are available online and advanced reservations are highly encouraged; tickets become available online two weeks in advance. Everyone 18 and under gets free admission every day.
What’s great for kids: Colorful, interesting modern art exhibitions on every floor. Free Family Days typical occur on the weekends and generally include art making workshops and storytimes.
Location: 151 Third Street, San Francisco
Website >
Lindsay Wildlife Experience (Walnut Creek) |Â Community Day
Located in Walnut Creek this museum and wildlife rehabilitation center connects kids with nature, giving them the opportunity to discover wildlife preservation through hands on exhibits and up close animal viewings. Lindsay Wildlife Experience is open for FREE as part of Community Day (Typically in May).
What’s great for kids: Daily programs including crafts and wildlife ambassadors presentations.
Location: 1931 First Avenue, Walnut Creek
Website >
Japanese Tea Garden (San Francisco) | Select mornings
Located in Golden Gate Park, admission to the tea garden is free when entering between 9 – 10 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
What’s great for kids: The beautiful blooming flowers are impressive. Sipping a drink in the tea house is a unique experience. Japanese structures and koi ponds add tranquility.
Location: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco
Website >
The Lawrence | Free on Cal Day
Lawrence Hall of Science is open for FREE as part of Cal Day (in April). There are also occasional $5 admission days on holidays during the school year.
What’s great for kids: Hands-on science activities for toddlers through adults. Wonderful climbing structures out front and a water feature that cools you off as it teaches on the back patio.
Location: 1 Centennial Drive, Berkeley
Website >
Always Free Bay Area Museums
- Bay Model Visitor Center, Sausalito – The scale model of the San Francisco Bay is large, fascinating, and free Tuesday to Saturday. Run around the waterfront after your visit. Website >
- Blake Garden, Kensington – Blake Garden is owned by UC Berkeley and serves as a venue for teaching and research in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning. Admission and parking are always free. Open Tuesdays–Fridays; closed Mondays, weekends and holidays. Website >
- Cable Car Museum (Nob Hill at Mason and Washington) – Learn about historic cable cars and then take a cable car ride. The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines stop at the museum. Free admission every day except when closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Website >
- Gardens of Lake Merritt (Oakland) – Stroll through various landscapes at the Gardens of Lake Merritt. It’s open nearly every day and always free except for the annual Autumn Lights Festival. Website >
- Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito, CA) – Watch as meals are prepared in the Fish Kitchen, and explore interactive exhibits at the world’s largest marine mammal hospital. Plus, discover actions to protect marine mammals and the ocean. Free advance tickets required. Website >
- Musée Mécanique (Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf) – One of the world’s largest (over 200) collections of coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade machines in their original working condition. Prices range from 1¢ (it’s true) to $1. Most games cost 25¢ to 50¢. Free admission every day – 365 days a year. Website >
- Randall Museum (199 Museum Way, San Francisco) – Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. This little museum features animals, trains, and jaw-dropping views of the city. General admission is always free. Drop-in programs for kids have fees. Website >
- Richmond Art Center (Richmond) – This community art space not only provides arts education but also has a series of rotating art exhibits. Admission is always free; Open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Website >
- Rosie the Riveter Museum (Richmond) – Open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. A visual and interactive way to learn about the homefront of World War II. Website >
- San Francisco Fire Department Museum (Western Addition, Presidio Ave at Pine) – Open Thu – Sun., and donations are appreciated. Website >
- San Francisco Railway Museum (Ferry Plaza, 77 Steuart St.) – The museum features a full-sized replica of the motorman’s platform of a 1911 San Francisco streetcar, where kids can work the controls. Open Tuesday through Saturday. Donations encouraged. Website >
Other Free Museum Programs
Library card holders, credit card holders, and EBT cardholders have additional programs to give you free and reduced admission prices to Bay Area Museums. Keep on reading.
Discover and Go Passes via libraries
Create your own family’s free-museum day. Plan ahead and have a local library card, you can get Discover & Go passes for a free day just for your family for dozens of area museums.
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 (SNAP benefits) or EBT cardholders. 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
- Aquarium of the Bay (San Francisco, CA)
- Asian Art Museum (San Francisco, CA)
- Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito, CA)
- BAMPFA (Berkeley, CA)
- California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco, CA)
- Chabot Space & Science Center (Oakland, CA)
- Charles M. Schulz Museum (Santa Rosa, CA)
- Children’s Creativity Museum (San Francisco, CA)
- Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose (San Jose, CA)
- Children’s Museum of Sonoma County (Santa Rosa, CA)
- Children’s Natural History Museum
- Conservatory of Flowers (San Francisco, CA)
- CuriOdyssey (San Mateo, CA)
- de Young Museum (San Francisco, CA)
- Exploratorium (San Francisco, CA)
- Filoli Historic House & Garden (Woodside, CA)
- GLBT Historical Society Museum (San Francisco, CA)
- Japanese Tea Garden (San Francisco)
- The Lawrence Hall of Science (Berkeley, CA)
- Lindsay Wildlife Experience (Walnut Creek, CA)
- Monterey County Youth Museum (MY Museum) (Monterey, CA)
- Museum of the African Diaspora (San Francisco, CA)
- Museum of Children’s Arts (Oakland, CA)
- Museum of Craft and Design (San Francisco, CA)
- Oakland Museum of California (Oakland, CA)
- Richmond Museum of History (Richmond, CA)
- Ruth Bancroft Gardens (Walnut Creek, CA)
- San Francisco Botanical Garden (San Francisco, CA)
- San Francisco Zoo and Gardens (San Francisco, CA)
- San Jose Museum of Art (San Jose, CA)
- The Tech Interactive (San Jose, CA)
- University of California Botanical Garden (Berkeley, CA)
- USS Hornet (Alameda, CA)
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 the Oakland Museum of California, de Young Museum (SF), San Jose Museum of Art (SJ), and Computer History Museum (SJ). Find more museums around the country with this perk >
Reciprocal Memberships to Bay Area Museums, Science Centers, and Zoos
Wait, there’s 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 (NARM), Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM), ASTC Passport Program, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), or the American Horticultural Society. Targeted to membership families who travel to grandma’s house and can go to the zoo, children’s museum, or gardens both here and there, these programs might give you perks at other local Bay Area museums. The details will vary.
This guide to Bay Area Free Museums was sponsored by OMCA, Oakland Museum of California. Children 12 and under always receive free admission to explore and discover OMCA.
What’d we miss? Tell us in the comments!
Visit our calendar to find other free & cheap activities to do with your kids every day!
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