San Francisco · MUSEUMS, AQUARIUMS & SCIENCE ATTRACTIONS
16 options
San Francisco rewards a well-timed booking. These 15 museums, aquariums & science attractions make the tradeoffs clear, from group size and route to the hours you will still have when it ends.
One day at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, with aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, living roof, and Tiny Chef film.
“An excellent attraction, hundreds of exhibits and brilliantly presented for easy observation, very informative.”
Instant-access ticket to the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, with aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and hands-on exhibits.
“Being with family. There was several changes to the museum since we last visit 15 years ago. My grandson would have like to see more dinosaur fossils.”
Explore San Francisco Bay marine life at Pier 39 at your own pace with Aquarium of the Bay general admission.
“Great fun and educational! The adults enjoyed it too! Would go back! The kids loved the sharks Highly recommend”
Scan your mobile ticket for a self-paced Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco’s Presidio, with Golden Gate views and audio galleries. $25.
“Very interesting experience learnt a lot about Walt Disney and his family. Would definitely recommend this to everyone.”
Skip the ticket line to the Exploratorium on Pier 15 for hands-on science, Bay views, and self-paced fun for families and adults.
“Getting ready to go in, and all of a sudden we were surrounded by 30 or 40 naked people on bicycles. My grandson turned to me and said do we have to be naked to go into the Exploratorium, and I said no we did not lol”
Timed SFMOMA general admission lets you explore modern art at your pace, with city-view terraces and gardens in about 1 to 3 hours.
“Diego Rivera Mural was the best and probably the main attraction, so I could learn and enjoy during this visit”
Walk through SFMOMA’s expanded galleries in one day, from photography to neon and sculpture, plus cafes and a great museum store.
Explore San Francisco’s Exploratorium at Pier 15, with 700+ hands-on exhibits, Tactile Dome optional, and a net-zero waterfront science day.
“Super gemacht, spricht alle Sinne an. Wir hatten leider nur 2,5 Stunden Zeit, hätten aber gerne noch länger bleiben wollen.”
Prebook a de Young Museum ticket to explore at your pace in Golden Gate Park, plus free same-day admission to the Legion of Honor.
“Ticket purchase was deceptive on the website. We thought we were buying tickets to the Frida Kahlo exhibit- it stated no where that it was sold out. The museum was cool as always but we were there to see Frida. Will try again!”
Prebook $20 admission to the Legion of Honor and get same-day de Young Museum entry, plus big Golden Gate Bridge views from a Paris-style palace.
“I am a native San Franciscan and have visited The Legion of Honour since I was in a stroller! At 74 years young, I’m still in awe of this wonderful magical place, where time stands still for me with overflowing memories.”
Adult-only Thursday nights at the Exploratorium: 700+ hands-on exhibits, Bay views, cocktails, and rotating science-art programs for $22.
“Great date night activity for lovers of mechanics, physics, AI, sociology, and natural sciences! Do yourself a favor and check-out the exploratorium!”
Adults-only Exploratorium After Dark with skip-the-line entry, hands-on science and art until 10pm, Bay views, and cocktails for 21+.
“This was fun, but more crowded than I expected. I would recommend it to others, but would caution them that if you are expecting to experience every exhibit, you will need to wait. With that said, there was only one that I really wanted to experience that I did not get to.”
NightLife after-hours at the California Academy of Sciences, Thursdays 6-10 pm, with live music, exhibits, and optional planetarium shows.
“The C.A.S NightLife VIP is the best way to see this Living Document of Science. Short- to no lines, free drinks and great sandwiches and a very special guided tour with fun people. You don't want to miss this Science class like you skipped in High School. BUS 37r takes you right to the entrance and there is a stop across the street to take you back. Get the City Pass.....BO”
Small-group Gregangelo Museum tour with a garden riddle walk, home-cooked mostly-vegetarian lunch, and behind-the-scenes studio access in San Francisco.
“The home defies description. We happened to visit when there was a special event, and the email invitation was a bit unclear that it was an "instead of" rather than an "addition to" so we arrived way too early. A bit inconvenient since it was a bit of a waste of a day, but we returned later for the evening. The tour was a sort of celebration of a Malysian Day of the Dead. Beautiful and special treats were offered along with a tea tasting. Lots of magic and other entertainment was offered as well as the tour. The feing was one of being invited to an elaborate private party.…”
Feel wind and motion on Pier 39 as you fly over Golden Gate, Alcatraz, Chinatown, Muir Woods, and Coit Tower in 20 minutes.
