The Bay Area Free Museum Cheat Sheet
/ Ronnie SharpeIt is a little-known fact that the Bay Area's coolest cultural institutions and museums offer tons of opportunities to visit a museum free of charge. So give your wallet a break with this cheat sheet to museums offering free admission each day of the week.
Note: Due to COVID-19, some places may be closed or have other restrictions. Reservations and other restrictions may be required. Please check their website for status updates.
MUSEUMS, FREE DATES VARY, CHECK WEBSITE
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.
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 is free on Walt Disney’s Birthday in December.
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.
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
Admission is free from 9:00am-10:00am Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Each week.
TUESDAY
The Conservatory of Flowers is free to all visitors on the first Tuesday of every month.
The Legion of Honor general admission is free the first Tuesday of every month. Special exhibition fees still apply.
The Museum of Craft and Design admission is free to everyone on the first Tuesday of every month.
San Francisco Botanical Garden Free on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, daily 7:30-9am, as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
WEDNESDAY
Bay Area Discovery Museum Free First Wednesday is every other month to Bay Area residents. See website for details.
Enter the Japanese Tea Garden Mon, Wed, Fri: FREE admission if entered by 10:00 am
Entry to YBCA Galleries is free on Wednesdays and second Sundays.
THURSDAY
UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive Free First Thursdays: Galleries free for all on the first Thursday of each month.
On every Thursday, all year long, enjoy free admission!
FRIDAY
Visit The CJM with free admission on the first Friday of each month! Free First Fridays are open to all visitors.
Enter the Japanese Tea Garden Mon, Wed, Fri: FREE admission if entered by 10:00 am
Admission will be free at the History Museum on the first Friday of the month.
SUNDAY
Asian Art Museum general museum admission is free every first Sunday of the month.
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.
Entry to YBCA Galleries is free on the second Sundays.
The first Tuesday of every month is our
Pay What You Wish Day.