The Bay Area is known for being expensive but many museums offer free or pay-as-you-wish options. As long as you are flexible and don’t mind crowds you have many places to choose from. It is also worth noting that the libraries may have FREE museum passes that you can check out or make reservations using your library card. Check with your local library for more information and availability.

FREE DATES VARY, CHECK WEBSITE

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The California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a renowned scientific and educational institution dedicated to exploring, explaining, and sustaining life on Earth. Check website for announcements.

CuriOdyssey

Explore science and meet native California animals! CuriOdyssey’s free Community Days take place on varying days, both during the week and on the weekend, so that more visitors have the opportunity to experience CuriOdyssey. Vehicle entrance fee for Coyote Point Park is $6 per car.

The Walt Disney Family Museum

The Walt Disney Family Museum is free on Walt Disney’s Birthday in December.

The Exploratorium

All visitors to The Exploratorium can pay-what-you-wish on our yearly Community Days, when museum entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.

San Francisco Zoo & Gardens

The San Francisco Zoo is pleased to offer Free Days for San Francisco residents on certain days. On Free Days, all San Francisco residents are eligible for free admission to the Zoo and must provide valid ID at the front gate as proof of residency.

MONDAY

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The Japanese Tea Garden

Admission is free from 9:00am-10:00am Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week.

TUESDAY

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Conservatory of Flowers

The Conservatory of Flowers is free to all visitors on the first Tuesday of every month.

The Legion of Honor

The Legion of Honor general admission is free the first Tuesday of every month. Special exhibition fees still apply.

San Francisco Botanical Garden

San Francisco Botanical Garden First Tuesday of the Month

Cartoon Art Museum

The first Tuesday of every month is our Pay What You Wish Day.

WEDNESDAY

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Bay Area Discovery Museum

Bay Area Discovery Museum Free First Wednesdays, where admission is free for Bay Area residents* occurs twice a year. The next two Free First Wednesdays are September 3, 2025 and March 4, 2026.

The Japanese Tea Garden

Enter the Japanese Tea Garden Mon, Wed, Fri: FREE admission if entered by 10:00 am

Yerba Buena Center For The Arts

Entry to YBCA Galleries is free on Wednesdays and second Sundays.

THURSDAY

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UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive

UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive Free First Thursdays: Galleries free for all on the first Thursday of each month.

Letterform Archive

On every Thursday, all year long, enjoy free admission!

Museum of Craft and Design

Free First Thursdays: Admission is free for all visitors on the first Thursday of every month.

FRIDAY

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The Japanese Tea Garden

Enter the Japanese Tea Garden Mon, Wed, Fri: FREE admission if entered by 10:00 am

San Mateo County History Museum

Admission will be free at the History Museum on the first Friday of the month.

SUNDAY

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Asian Art Museum

Asian Art Museum general museum admission is free every first Sunday of the month.

The Oakland Museum of California

Every first Sunday of the month, General Admission to OMCA’s Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences is free and tickets to Special Exhibitions in our Great Hall are offered at a discounted price of $6.

Yerba Buena Center For The Arts

Entry to YBCA Galleries is free on the second Sundays.

MUSEUMS, ALWAYS FREE

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Autodesk Gallery at One Market

Bay Model Visitor Center

Bolinas Museum

Cable Car Barn & Powerhouse

Cantor Center for Visual Arts

Chinese Culture Center

deYoung

At 4:30 pm we offer free admission to our permanent collection. All are welcome; no ticket required. Special exhibition prices still apply. The Hamon Observation Tower does not require a ticket for entry. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.