Museum · San Francisco
Exploratorium: free entry days, tickets & hours
Hands-on museum of science, art and human perception on Pier 15, with hundreds of interactive exhibits and free outdoor exhibits around the pier.
Independent guide, not the official Exploratorium website. Official links are under Sources.
Part of Exploratorium is free: outdoor exhibits around Pier 15: free, open 24 hours.
- Also free: children 3 and under; admission for California public school pre-K-12 teachers (one voucher); admission for ADA aides accompanying visitors with disabilities.
- Otherwise: adult (18-64) daytime ticket — $39.95.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Free admission for California public school pre-K-12 teachers (one voucher): Apply through the teacher form on the reduced-rates page.
- The outdoor exhibits on Pier 15 are free around the clock; walk the pier loop before or after a visit.
- Thursday After Dark (18+) costs about half a daytime ticket.
- Military get a reduced price on site, not free entry.
- EBT/SNAP/CalFresh, Medi-Cal, WIC and Lifeline holders can buy discounted tickets on site; Discover & Go library passes give free entry.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free areaOutdoor exhibits around Pier 15: free, open 24 hours | everyone | About 40 outdoor exhibits on the plaza and the walkway around the building. The museum store (from the Embarcadero) also needs no ticket. | No |
| Free forFree for children 3 and under | children under 4 | — | No |
| Free forFree admission for California public school pre-K-12 teachers (one voucher) | California teachers | One free, nontransferable general admission voucher; apply with the online form and bring teacher ID. Not valid with field trip groups. Teachers from other states get $10 off. | Yes |
| Free forFree admission for ADA aides accompanying visitors with disabilities | carers of visitors with disabilities | Call 415.528.4407 for details. | No |
Official prices
Exploratorium ticket prices
| Adult (18-64) daytime ticket — Youth 4-17, seniors 65+, people with disabilities, teachers and students $29.95; 3 and under free. After Dark (18+) $22.95. | $39.95 |
| After Dark Thursday night ticket (18+) — Adults-only evening with science, art and drinks; cheaper than daytime. | $22.95 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (adult (18-64) daytime ticket). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Exploratorium
Timed-entry ticketSan Francisco: Exploratorium Ticket - 700+ Hands-On Exhibits★★★★★ 4.5 · 134 reviewsfrom $39.95
Skip-the-line ticketSKIP THE LINE: Exploratorium Daytime Admission★★★★☆ 4.3 · 72 reviewsfrom $39.95
Timed-entry ticketExploratorium San Francisco: Adult-Only After Dark Admission★★★★★ 4.6 · 69 reviewsfrom $22.95
Skip-the-line ticketSKIP THE LINE: Exploratorium After Dark Thursdays (18+) Admission★★★★★ 4.9 · 22 reviewsfrom $22.95
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00–17:00 |
| Wed | 10:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 12:00–17:00 |
Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm (members-only 10am-noon), closed most Mondays. After Dark (18+) Thursdays 6-10pm. Open Mondays 23 Nov, 21 Dec and 28 Dec 2026; closes 3pm on 24 Dec; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Pier 15, The Embarcadero (at Green Street), San Francisco, CA 94111, USA
FAQ
Exploratorium: common questions
Is Exploratorium free?
Outdoor exhibits around Pier 15: free, open 24 hours. Also free: children 3 and under; admission for California public school pre-K-12 teachers (one voucher); admission for ADA aides accompanying visitors with disabilities. Otherwise the official ticket costs $39.95.
Who gets free entry to Exploratorium?
Children under 4. California teachers — one free, nontransferable general admission voucher; apply with the online form and bring teacher ID. Not valid with field trip groups. Teachers from other states get $10 off.. Carers of visitors with disabilities — call 415.528.4407 for details..
Do I need to book for free entry to Exploratorium?
Apply through the teacher form on the reduced-rates page.
How much is a ticket to Exploratorium?
Adult (18-64) daytime ticket costs $39.95 on the official site.
What day is Exploratorium closed?
Exploratorium is closed on Mondays. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm (members-only 10am-noon), closed most Mondays. After Dark (18+) Thursdays 6-10pm. Open Mondays 23 Nov, 21 Dec and 28 Dec 2026; closes 3pm on 24 Dec; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Exploratorium
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Sources
Where this comes from
- exploratorium.edu/publicspaces/projects/piers-15-17 · checked Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- exploratorium.edu/visit · checked Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- exploratorium.edu/visit/reduced-rates · checked Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- exploratorium.edu/hours
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.