Museums & Learning

Exploratorium

🏆Staff Pick🌧️Indoor / Rainy Day🎒School-Age Range
Embarcadero
Exploratorium — view 1
Exploratorium — view 2
Exploratorium — view 3

About this spot

A large hands-on science museum on the Embarcadero with more than 650 all-ages exhibits, Bay views, and experiences that range from light and sound to living systems and human perception.

What to expect

🚼Stroller Friendly
💳Paid Activity
🏠Indoor Space

Planning notes

💡

Choose two or three exhibit areas instead of trying to cover the whole museum. Sunday general admission begins at noon; the earlier Sunday window is reserved for members and donors. Check special hours and Tactile Dome availability before buying tickets.

More than 650 all-ages exhibits make this a flexible mixed-age choice
Tactile Dome reservations are required and advance tickets are strongly recommended
Download the museum's sensory map when quieter spaces matter
The F streetcar stops in front of the museum; Embarcadero BART is a 10–15 minute walk
Updated Sep 2026
Source detailsReport an update

Quick details

Hours

Tue–Sat 10 AM–5 PM, Sun noon–5 PM; closed Mon; Thu 6–10 PM is 18+

Neighborhood

Embarcadero

Category

Museums & Learning

Phone

(415) 528-4444

Nearby in Embarcadero

🦕San Francisco Railway Museum

A small, free museum about San Francisco transit history near the Ferry Building...

🎃Pier 39 Sea Lions

Free sea lion viewing at K-Dock on PIER 39. The number of animals changes with t...

🛝Sue Bierman Park

A compact downtown playground and lawn across from the Ferry Building. The play ...