Bay Area Free Museum Days
Getting in the door to some of the top museums in the Bay Area can get pricey but many places offer free days usually at the beginning of each month. See some of the best museums without having to break the bank! These days can be crowded so try to arrive early!
First Sunday of the Month
The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is one of the top-rated Bay Area museums to explore California art, history, and natural sciences. On every first Sunday of the month, enjoy admission to OMCA with a suggested donation of $5 for general admission. There is an additional $5 fee for access to special exhibitions.
They also have family fun at Friday Nights: every Friday night, from 5 to 8 pm, features free hands-on art workshops for all ages, and select Fridays feature storytime with the Oakland Public Library from 6 to 6:30 pm
OMCA also offers individuals and families (up to four individuals) admission, including to special exhibitions and during Friday Nights at OMCA, to the Museum for $1 when you present an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, and a valid form of photo ID.
Photo: @Jill_slagter
The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is one of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian Art, with a collection of over 18,000 artworks spanning 6,000 years of history. The first Sunday of every month and the family programs offered on that day—are made by Target. Admission is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to capacity restrictions, admission is not guaranteed.
There are several family friendly activities that take place on free days and throughout the week. They have workshops, storytelling and activities going on during the day!
Open 11am-5pm
First Tuesday of the Month
Whether you’re a native San Franciscan, a visitor from another side of the world, or a classroom of budding botanists, the Conservatory of Flowers offers an intimate up-close experience with rare and endangered plants unlike any other. Come see what treasures await you! -Conservatory of Flowers
Open 10am-6:30pm
Photo: @conservatoryofflowers
The Legion of Honor is an art museum with a collection that spans four millennia of history. This French neoclassical building, representing a great legacy of philanthropy and civic pride, stands proudly over the city, the Golden Gate, and the Pacific Ocean beyond. -Legion of Honor
Free general admission offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries. Full-priced admission to special exhibitions still applies. Free admission may be redeemed by visiting the Ticketing and Membership Desks.
Every Saturday the Legion of Honor offers free general admission to San Francisco residents. Saturdays feature engaging art experiences for the entire family, including art making, gallery guides, and tours with discussion and sketching in the permanent galleries. You can reserve your tickets online in advance and skip the line. Make sure you bring your ID with you.
Visitors 17 & under are always free. Open 9:30am-5:15pm'
Free admission also includes a drop in activity. The Museum of Craft and Design (MCD) is the only museum in San Francisco devoted to craft and design. MCD showcases designers, makers and artists through an exciting and distinctive series of craft and design-focused exhibitions and public programs
They offer Make Art Family Day monthly. All ages are welcome. Kids 12 & under are free. $8 adults, $6 students/seniors and museum members FREE
Open 11am-3pm
Photo: Museum of Craft and Design
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
The YBCA list honors the most notable artists and activists today. Free admission from 11am-6pm
The De Young Museum in San Francisco is a world-class fine arts museum.
Free general admission offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries. Full-priced admission to special exhibitions still applies. Free admission may be redeemed by visiting the Ticketing and Membership Desks.
They have a free exhibit open everyday just for families with young kids. The studio is open to children of all ages, with activities specifically created for visitors ages 3–8 to explore together with an accompanying adult. The space will be open during regular museum hours.
Every Saturday the De Young Museum offers free general admission to San Francisco residents. Saturdays feature engaging art experiences for the entire family, including art making, gallery guides, and tours with discussion and sketching in the permanent galleries. You can reserve your tickets online in advance and skip the line. Make sure you bring your ID with you.
Open 9:30am-5:15pm
Photo: @deyoungmuseum
The first Tuesday of every month is pay what you wish. It is located near Ghirardelli Square, the SF Maritime Museum and not far from Fisherman’s Wharf, this a great place for all ages. If you enjoy cartoons, animation, comic books and graphic novels, historic cartooning, then this is a must!
Every Saturday they offer cartooning for kids (not free). This gives kids chance to learn more about writing and designing their own cartoons. Sign up on their website.
This art museum is open from 11am to 5pm
The Contemporary Jewish Museum
The Contemporary Jewish Museum presents dynamic exhibitions and educational programs, exploring contemporary perspectives on Jewish culture, history and ideas
Open 11am-5pm
First Wednesday of the Month
If you’ve been following us for awhile then I am sure you are tired of hearing us say, this is our favorite museum! It is so great for kids ages 6 months to 10 years old. You get the best view of the Golden Gate bridge from the parking lot alone! This is a must-do and should be at the top of your list! We easily spend all day here.
Open Tuesdays 9am-5pm
Photo: @awesomeshang
Located on the Berkeley campus with views overlooking San Francisco.
Daily: 9 am – 5 pm (No entry after 4:30 pm)
GLBT Historical Society Museum
In the heart of San Francisco’s Castro District, is the first full-scale, stand-alone museum of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender history and culture in the United States.
Open 11am-6pm
First Thursday of the Month
Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Yerba Buena arts district, MoAD, is one of the few museums focused exclusively on the African Diaspora. This is a small museum but packed with such intriguing and diverse displays.
Open 11am-6pm
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
BAMPFA, the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, is the visual arts center of the University of California, Berkeley. Their mission is to inspire the imagination and ignite critical dialogue through art and film.
Open 11am-7pm
Other Free and Discounted Days
The Exploratorium will offer pay-what-you-wish community days 4-5 times a year. Next community day is September 21st and October 20th. Also free admission for CA public school teachers. Apply online through their website here.
Free admission offered to EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cardholders and their families, up to four visitors per card. Simply show your EBT card when you arrive.
Visitors with disabilities can visit the museum at a reduced rate.
Every Thursday night, enjoy lower admission from 6:00–10:00 p.m. at After Dark (Ages 18+).
Photo: @les_tamaks
Free admission offered the second Tuesday of every month as well as every day from 7:30-9am, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day & New Year’s Day.
Free every Monday, Wednesday and Friday before 10am. .
There are no recurring free days, but admission is discounted to $5 after 6pm on the first Friday of the month. .
Photo: @kidspoloration
California Academy of Sciences offers San Francisco residents free days each year based on your zip code. California Academy of Sciences offer community days on select dates. No upcoming dates have been announced. You have to reserve your tickets online and they go quick so lookout for it!
In celebration of its 90th anniversary this year, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens is opening its doors Thursdays in September to Bay Area communities with extended hours, special activities and free admission.
The event is SF Zoo’s way of being a “good neighbor” and thanking its constituents who come from throughout Bay Area to enjoy one of Northern California’s most popular family destinations, by receiving free admission for locals according to their place of residence.
Good Neighbor Free Days will take place every Thursday in September and targeted to different Bay Area communities each week. Be sure to check the schedule before visiting:
Thursday, September 5 – South Bay (San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties)
Thursday, September 12 – San Francisco (San Francisco County)
Thursday, September 19 – East Bay (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties)
Thursday, September 26 – North Bay (Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties)
Visitors must bring a valid I.D.; each adult must provide proof of residency by providing one of the following:
A valid identification card
A valid driver’s license
A utility, phone, or other local bill with your name and address, along with a current, valid photo I.D.
As part of Good Neighbor Free Days, the Zoo is open one hour later each Thursday, hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition to free admission, the Zoo will host a special Happy Hour with both kid and adult beverages and entertainment from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The SF Zoo also offers SF residents free days each year based on your zip code.
Technology Museum of Innovation
The Tech museum is located in San Jose and is free the first weekend of the month for Bank of America cardholders.
For the second time this year, SFMOMA is opening the museum free of charge all day on Thursday, September 19, as part of the Culture for Community initiative — a coalition of more than a dozen Yerba Buena neighborhood arts and cultural institutions. Enjoy exhibitions, activities, and events at participating organizations uniting on this day in celebrating the importance of connections between generations.
Don’t miss out! Tickets are free, but an RSVP is highly encouraged. Book now and make sure you’ve got a spot for September 19. When you reserve, you’ll be entered to win a one-year SFMOMA membership. Limit two adult tickets per reservation. Children 18 and younger always get into SFMOMA free.
East Bay Regional Parks is celebrating their 85th anniversary, and to celebrate, they are offering free Fridays for the rest of the year! This means no entry fees, no swimming fees, no boating fees - all fees associated with the parks on Fridays will be FREE!
In celebration of Walt Disney’s Birthday, The Walt Disney Family Museum offers free admission to the main galleries and special exhibitions Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men: Masters of Animation, Fresh Starts, and Home for the Holidays at Carolwood on Wednesday, December 5. To commemorate this special occasion, the museum will host a number of exciting activities throughout the day that highlight Walt’s life, work, and legacy. Happy Birthday, Walt!
Photo: @wdfmuseum
You will want to mark your calendars for Museum Day coming up on Sept 21st! Museum Day is a one-day event in which participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket. Participants are allowed to download one ticket per email address. The ticket provides free general admission on Saturday, September 21, 2019, for two people. Museums such as Bay Area Discovery Museum, Hiller Aviation Museum, CuriOdyssey, Museum of Craft and Design, and so much more are on there! You can reserve your tickets now.
Lastly, don’t forget about your library Discover and Go passes! I am kicking myself that it took me so long to learn about this program. It’s a partnership between libraries and cultural attractions that lets you into museums, theaters, aquariums, and zoos at little to no cost. All you need is a library card! Log onto your local library’s page and search Discover & Go.
Start checking off your Bay Area bucket list and get to work! What are you hoping to check off first?
XO, Lauren + Morgan