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Exploratorium

ChildrenArtScienceClosed · Opens 10amFrom $39.95F Market & Wharves streetcar (stops in front of the museum)

Founded in 1969 by physicist Frank Oppenheimer and on the Embarcadero's Pier 15 since 2013, the Exploratorium is a museum of science, art and human perception where you play with the exhibits rather than look at them. More than 650 hands-on exhibits, almost all built in the open workshop on the museum floor, fill six galleries covering human behaviour, light and sound, living systems and a glass-walled Bay Observatory. Outside, Fujiko Nakaya's Fog Bridge shrouds the walkway to Pier 17 in mist, while the pitch-black Tactile Dome (separate ticket) is explored by touch alone. On Thursday evenings, After Dark opens the museum to adults only.

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

Pier 15, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111

Nearest station: F Market & Wharves streetcar (stops in front of the museum), Embarcadero (BART & Muni Metro), 10–15 min walk, Ferry Building (Bay ferries), 10 min walk

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Hours

Closing early 15 September, 10:00–16:30

MonClosed
Tue10:00–17:00
Wed10:00–17:00
Thu10:00–22:00
FriToday10:00–17:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun12:00–17:00

Admission

From $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.

Nearby

Chinese Historical Society of America Museum

Local History16 min walk

San Francisco Cable Car Museum

TransportFree17 min walk

Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD)

Art20 min walk

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

Design21 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, 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 Being Human, Osher Gallery 1: Human Phenomena, Bechtel Gallery 3: Seeing & Listening.
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.

Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net), via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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