Exploratorium

What's On

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Being Human

Four short films in the Osher Gallery 1 Microcinema, including Leonard Cohen's Plato and Jessica Yu's Sour Death Balls, reflect playfully on what it is to be human. 32 minutes.

Now showing16 Jun – 10 Apr 2027$39.95

Glow

The winter light show returns: 91 moving infinity mirrors, spinning sculptures, an LED dungeon-crawler game, a beacon of eyeglass lenses and a Glow Cinema.

Upcoming19 Nov – 24 Jan 2027$39.95

The Science Behind Pixar

More than 50 interactive elements across eight sections reveal the maths, science and technology Pixar uses to make its films, with re-creations of Buzz Lightyear, WALL•E and more.

Upcoming22 May 2027 – 6 Sept 2027$39.95

Permanent Collections

Bechtel Gallery 3: Seeing & Listening

Experiment with light, mirrors, sound and heat, from the Giant Mirror and Sun Painting to Colored Shadows, and discover how eyes, ears and brain make sense of waves.

Permanent collection$39.95

Osher Gallery 1: Human Phenomena

Here you and other visitors are the exhibits: play with social interactions, memory, emotion and language, and explore how minds work and how people behave in groups.

Permanent collection$39.95

Gallery 5: Outdoor Exhibits

Exhibits out on the piers: watch winds and tides, hear a 27-foot harp strummed by the wind and walk through Fujiko Nakaya's Fog Bridge, which mists over several times a day.

Permanent collection$39.95

Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery 6: Observing Landscapes

A glass-walled second-floor gallery and terrace with sweeping Bay views, using the landscape itself to explore the region's geography, history, ecology and human impact.

Permanent collection$39.95

Nearby

i

Chinese Historical Society of America Museum

Local History16 min walk

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San Francisco Cable Car Museum

TransportFree17 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Exploratorium cost?

Standard adult admission to Exploratorium is $39.95. Adults 18–64 $39.95; youth 4–17, seniors 65+, people with disabilities, teachers and students $29.95; children 3 and under free; California public school teachers free (apply). After Dark (Thursday 18:00–22:00, 18+) $22.95. Tactile Dome is an extra $15.95 with a required reservation.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.

What are the opening hours of Exploratorium?

Exploratorium is open Tue–Sat 10:00–17:00; Sun 12:00–17:00 (10:00–12:00 members and donors only); closed Mon. After Dark, adults 18+ only: Thursdays 18:00–22:00 (separate ticket). Special dates 2026: closes 16:30 on 15 Sep; open Mondays 12 Oct, 23 Nov, 21 Dec and 28 Dec (10:00–17:00); closed 26 Nov (Thanksgiving) and 25 Dec; closes 15:00 on 24 Dec; no After Dark on 31 Dec. Tactile Dome closed for maintenance 11–28 Sep 2026.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.

Where is Exploratorium?

Exploratorium is located at Pier 15, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111, in the Embarcadero, Northern Waterfront area of San Francisco. The nearest stations are F Market & Wharves streetcar (stops in front of the museum), Embarcadero (BART & Muni Metro), 10–15 min walk and Ferry Building (Bay ferries), 10 min walk.

What can I see at Exploratorium?

Hands-on museum of science, art and perception on Pier 15, with 650+ exhibits to play with, a fog bridge and Bay views. Current highlights include Bechtel Gallery 3: Seeing & Listening, Osher Gallery 1: Human Phenomena and Gallery 5: Outdoor Exhibits.

Do I need to book Exploratorium in advance?

Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.

When is the best time to visit Exploratorium?

Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.