Exploratorium

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Address: Pier 15, San Francisco
Hours: Open Tues - Sun 10am - 5pm. Closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas
Admission: US$25 for adults; US$19 for youth (6-17yrs) and seniors. Free for children (0-5yrs)

ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience, Good for Kids, Museum

8:01 PM Thursday, May 23
Sunny. Cool.
7 day forecast

Ever wanted to investigate the living world beyond the pages of your science books? Ever wanted to see the world without color or have a bigger sense of yourself—upside down? Head to the Exploratorium to get fascinating scientific answers to all of the questions you wanted to raise in a science class but never did. It’s an educational fun house for people of all ages!

Now open at its new home at Pier 15, the Exploratorium is the global leader in informal learning, igniting curiosity and inspiring creativity in people of all ages. Explore nearly 600 hands-on exhibits, including 150 new experiences, and enjoy breathtaking views of the city and bay in the spectacular glass-and-steel Bay Observatory.

Wander through hundreds of exhibits and art installations, uncovering the mad magic of Einstein’s theory of relativity or the secret behind creating monstrous marshmallows. Safe, interactive exhibits abound, from food science to optical illusions to astronomy. The Exploratorium’s six main galleries will lead you to a world of discovery, delighting and engaging your senses of sight, smell, sound and touch. Head to the cafeteria for a treat for your taste buds as well!

Make sure to check out new art projects and temporary exhibitions, including exploring the human mind and mental health, or feeling your way – in darkness – through the maze of the ever-popular Tactile Dome. Stop by the impressive museum shop on your way out, and take a piece of today’s scientific illusion home with you.

Latest Reviews

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All Exploratorium Reviews

Review by Douglas K, August 2012
Doing what: San Francisco CityPass

Best investment you can make in your vacation. The unlimited muni pass worked out great no matter where we were or where we wanted to go. To get the Aquarium, boat cruise, Exploratorium and the CA Academy of Sciences all discounted made the City Pass an exceptional value. Thank You.

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Review by Dan G., USA, March 2012
Doing what: San Francisco CityPass

Short Version: Worth every penny, saves you plenty of money, especially if you are there a while.

The details: The one problem I will share was completely my fault which is this: Don't give yourself only three days for San Francisco! We didn't get to everything we wanted to including the MOMA which we had free admission to thanks to this awesome city pass. This pass gives you free transportation for a week! That alone could pay for itself if you are there for the full seven days. But on top of that, we were able to go to the Exploratorium (incredible hands on science museum), the California Academy of Sciences (another incredible science museum with a man made rainforest you can walk through and a planetarium all in one building), and a few other great attractions. Each attraction is around $25 or more so if you get to all of them you are once again getting your money's worth. I highly recommend this pass to anybody who is visiting San Fran for the first time and is planning on visiting some of these awesome attractions (if you are not, you can just get a metro pass for three days to get around the city).

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Review by Skootre, USA, December 2011

This is one of my favorite places in SF to take kids. Any age is ok though probably ages 4 and up will get the most out of the exhibits. The Exploratorium is packed on weekends so try to go early and don't rush!

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Practical Info

The newly reopened Exploratorium is now situated on the Embarcadero – with spectacular bay views and easily accessible from every direction by public transit or personal commute (lots of parking spaces are available too).

If you’re getting there from within the city, take either the BART or the Muni. Muni’s F Market streetcar stops right in front of the Exploratorium at Embarcadero and Green Street; lines 2, 6, 14, 21, 31, and metro rail lines J, K, L, M, T, and N stops are a short walk, and lines 1, 10, 12, 41, and 38 also stop around the vicinity. Embarcadero BART and Muni stations as well as ferry terminals are all a 10- to 15-minute walk away.

It’s an easy commute from the East Bay, the North Bay, the Peninsula and South Bay as well. All BART lines stop at the Embarcadero station, a 10- to 15-minute walk toward Pier 15. The San Francisco Bay Ferry, a 10-minute walk away, provides service from the East Bay, the North Bay, the Peninsula and South Bay. Numerous transit lines are within a 10- to 20-minute walk from Pier 15; ample bike racks are available; and parking is available along the Embarcadero and on the side streets from US$3, including validated parking (around US$10) at the Embarcadero Center and at Levi’s Plaza Garage.

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