Exploratorium

The Exploratorium, comprising six main galleries facing the San Francisco Bay, houses a series of interactive exhibits that invite—as the name suggests—exploration. From the Tactile Dome to the Tinkering Studio, the Exploratorium encourages visitors of all ages to engage with the exhibits so as to explore the natural world and every individual’s perception of it.

Buy tickets at the Exploratorium or save time with pre-booked skip-the-line tickets. The museum is also a stop on the hop-on hop-off bus and entry is included with the San Francisco Go Card, Explorer Pass, and CityPass.

• The Exploratorium is a must for families with children, although both young kids and adults who are young at heart will delight in the freedom to play.

• Some exhibits, including the popular San Francisco fog and wind and tide exhibits, are outside. Wear layered clothing and shoes that can get wet.

• While the Exploratorium is oriented toward science and exploration for children, the Thursday evening events such as the Tactile Dome and After Dark attract an adult crowd.

• First-time visitors are often overwhelmed by the sheer number of things to do; plan an early arrival to experience as much as possible.

• The on-site restaurant, Seaglass, is very popular—dine after 1pm to avoid the longest lines.

• The Exploratorium is fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers; loaner wheelchairs are available for free at the information desk.

The Exploratorium is served by MUNI’s E and F streetcars. Bus lines 10 and 12 stop a few blocks over, and the Embarcadero BART station is about a 15-minute walk away. If you must drive, there's a paid parking lot at Embarcadero and Green Street, and limited street parking along the Embarcadero before 3pm.

The Exploratorium is open daily from 10am to 5pm; in summer (July through August) it’s typically open from 6pm to 10pm on Thursdays for adults, and from 5pm to 9pm on Fridays for all ages. It’s an incredibly popular place, and on weekdays it’s often bustling with school and camp groups; late afternoons tend to be quieter.

The brain child of Frank Oppenheimer, the Exploratorium originally opened in 1969 at the Palace of Fine Arts, the former site of California’s Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915. Oppenheimer’s passion for teaching with hands-on activities and experiences helped transform science education. Working closely with artists, educators, and developers, this first-of-its-kind science museum invited visitors to use more than their eyes to learn. The Exploratorium moved to its new location on the Embarcadero’s Pier 15 in 2013.

Plan to spend at least 3–4 hours viewing the exhibits at the Exploratorium—and longer to take part in workshops or other planned activities. The Exploratorium has six main galleries full of interactive exhibits and other attractions like the Tactile Dome—it's easy to spend half a day here, especially with kids.

Yes, with an accessible entrance, parking lot, and restrooms, the Exploratorium is wheelchair accessible. Visitors can use available wheelchairs for free with an ID deposit. In addition, the Exploratorium offers tours and tactile maps for people who are blind or have impaired vision—you can pick them up at the Information Desk.

When visiting the Exploratorium, comfortable walking shoes are essential—the museum campus covers more than 3 acres (1.2 hectares) and requires lots of walking to explore. Otherwise, follow the rules of thumb for visiting San Francisco: Wear layers and prepare for fog and chilly weather no matter the time of year.

Yes, you can bring food into the Exploratorium in San Francisco. But remember that guests are encouraged to eat in designated eating areas outdoors. The Exploratorium also has two dining areas, the Seismic Joint Cafe and the Seaglass Restaurant, which offer kid-friendly food options.

Yes, you can take photos and videos in the Exploratorium, as long as they are informal and for your personal use—you cannot publish or use them for any commercial purpose. The Exploratorium also asks that you make an effort to not disrupt the experience of other visitors while taking photos.

While there isn't direct on-site parking at the Exploratorium, the museum offers discounted parking at the Exploratorium Pier 15 Parking Lot across the Embarcadero, where the flat rate parking fee is US$15-20—the entrance is on Front Street. Metered parking is available along the Embarcadero and on side streets.