The Exploratorium in San Francisco

The Exploratorium tops our list of fun things to do this month in San Francisco. Why? First, because of their shiny new 300 million dollar 330,000-square-foot location at Pier 15, along waterfront. That means new exhibits to help fill up three times more space than the previous location.

The Exploratorium offers a few ways to save on tickets. The information below will help you save, plus you’ll minimize the time you have to wait in line once you get to the Exploratorium by getting your tickets in advance. Skip down for details on getting tickets and which days are admission free in 2016.

The Exploratorium is ideal for anyone with a curious mind, including families, and children 5 and under always get in free. Exploratorium also holds adult only Exploratorium After Dark happy hours on the first Thursday of the month, which is even more fun at the new waterfront location.

What’s new? There are 150 brand new exhibits plus hundreds of beloved classics, new outdoor exhibits, a Bay Observatory, a bigger focus on tinkering and social psychology, and much more. –Exploratorium 

Exploratorium Discount Tickets — 7 Ways to Save

1. Tickets: Exploratorium Tickets Online — Not a discount but there’s a”Best Price Guarantee” by this source. Print and go “any day” tickets are valid for everyone (for better savings, scroll down this page for combo pass deals).
2. Resident Discount: Exploratorium offers discounted admission for for Bay Area Residents.
3. Free Days: The Exploratorium free days include …
   • Groundhog Day
   • Pi Day
   • Mother’s Day

4. Teacher Freebie: California Public School Teachers can get free admission. You’ll need to apply on the Exploratorium website.

5. San Francisco CityPASS {Best Price}: A discount card that provides free admission to six Bay Area attraction including the Exploratorium. This is the perfect choice if you’re visiting from out of the city.

6. Go San Francisco Pass {Best Price} — Love the “build your own” options where you save on as few as two activities. Exploratorium is one of the options. This usually saves you 20% to 55% off each ticket, and you have up to 30 days to use them LL from first use. Print or show on your smart phone to get in.

7. Happy Hour Mixer {Details} — Exploratorium After Dark — Visit on the first Thursdays of the month, 6–10pm, and you get in at happy hour rates: $15 (Adults only, 18+). This is separate from the daytime tickets – guests who visit us during the day on Thursday will not be able to re-enter Thursday night without an After Dark ticket. Also, the museum holds Evening Programs on some Wednesday and Thursday nights, at 8:30pm.

Exploratorium — Know Before You Go

• Hours — Open Tuesday – Sunday from 10am – 5pm including Wednesday evenings until 10pm and Thursday evening adult only hours from 6pm – 10pm. Closed Mondays except for certain holidays.
• Address — Exploratorium — Pier 15, San Francisco, California 94111 )between Ferry Building and Fisherman’s Wharf).
• Parking (your car) — There’s an independent parking lot right across the street. Levi’s Plaza Garage offers discounted rates. Or you can park at the Embarcadero Center. You’ll also find metered street parking along the Embarcadero, and other parking lots and garages nearby. The Exploratorium has a page that explains all the parking options, including occasional 20% off parking discounts and other offers.
• Parking (your stuff) — There are coin-operated lockers just past ticketing and the Info Desk. Strollers are also available.