Stretch your budget by enjoying free museum visits, art workshops, nature activities and more. Check out the websites of the destinations below to confirm the dates and hours of their next free admission days.
Also visit our Events page where we identify free events and activities. And don’t forget your local public libraries and parks & recs department. Many offer a wide variety of free activities and entertainment year-round and some libraries “check out” free passes for local museums.
The Randall Museum (always free) – San Francisco
The Randall Museum is a museum of science, nature and the arts as well as a San Francisco Recreation and Park Department community learning center.
The San Francisco Zoo (select Wednesdays) – San Francisco
Free only for San Francisco residents on select Wednesdays.
Asian Art Museum (1st Sunday) – San Francisco
On the first Sunday of each month, general admission is free and tickets to special exhibitions are offered at a discounted price of $15. Limited same-day, walk-up availability, so it’s highly recommended that you reserve your tickets in advance.
SFMOMA (select days) – San Francisco
SFMOMA offers regularly scheduled free days and guests 18 and younger always enjoy free admission to the museum. Visit sfmoma.org/free-days for upcoming dates and activities or sign up for their newsletter to be notified when new events, exhibitions, and activities are announced.
Museum of the African Diaspora (2nd Saturday) – San Francisco
Contemporary art and artists of the African Diaspora.
Museum of Craft and Design (1st Thursday) – San Francisco
MCD showcases designers, makers and artists through an exciting and distinctive series of craft and design-focused exhibitions and public programs.
The de Young Museum (Tuesdays and Saturdays) – San Francisco
Saturdays free for Bay Area residents. Tuesdays free for all.
The Fine Arts Museum (Tuesdays and Saturdays) – San Francisco
Saturdays free for Bay Area residents. Tuesdays free for all.
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (Wednesdays) – San Francisco
The cultural anchor of San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens neighborhood with work that spans the realms of contemporary art, performance, film, civic engagement, and public life.
Conservatory of Flowers (1st Tuesday) – San Francisco
Set in a landmark building — the oldest public wood-and-glass conservatory in North America — the Conservatory of Flowers inspires awe and fascination with its rare and tropical plant collection.
San Francisco Botanical Garden (2nd Tuesday) – San Francisco
Explore 55 beautiful acres of landscaped gardens and open spaces that showcase more than 8,000 different kinds of plants from around the world.
Cable Car Museum (always free) – San Francisco
Houses a collection of historic cable cars, photographs, mechanical displays.
San Francisco Fire Department Museum (always free) – San Francisco
As the museum is staffed by volunteers, it is best if you call 415-558-3546 after 1PM on the day of your visit to make sure it will be open.
The Marine Mammal Center (always free) – Sausalito
Tickets are free but must be reserved online in advance.
Bay Model Center (always free) – Sausalito
The model provides scientists, educators and visitors interested in San Francisco Bay and the Bay – Delta Model a unique opportunity to view the complete bay-delta system at a glance.
Oakland Museum of California (first Sunday) – Oakland
Every first Sunday of the month, admission to OMCA’s Galleries of California Art, History, Natural Sciences, and any Special Exhibitions in our Great Hall are free.
Telescope Viewing at Chabot (Fri & Sat evenings) – Oakland
Join Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for a free telescope viewing! Weather permitting, this is a chance to explore stars, planets and more through Chabot’s historic telescopes.
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (1st Thursday) – Berkeley
As part of the University of California, Berkeley, BAMPFA is committed to artistic diversity through its robust slate of art exhibitions, film screenings, artist talks, live performances, and educational programs that shed new light on the art of the past and connect audiences with leading filmmakers and artists of our time.
Richmond Art Center (always free) – Richmond
Opportunities for adults, teens and kids to create, see and learn about art.
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front Museum (always free) – Richmond
Educational and interactive exhibits designed for visitors of all ages, offering insights into the significant impact of WWII on daily life.
San Mateo County History Museum (1st Friday) – Redwood City
Free admission to the History Museum 10AM – 4PM. Free Playing in the Past at 11AM. Free general tour at the History Museum at 2PM.
South Bay Historical Railroad Society Museum (always free) – Santa Clara
The museum consists of three major areas: the historic buildings, railroad artifacts, and operating scale model displays. Open Tuesday evenings and Saturdays.
The Intel Museum (always free) – Santa Clara
Go behind the scenes in the high-tech world of California’s famed Silicon Valley. See what it’s like inside an ultra-clean, highly automated silicon chip factory, and connect with technologies that give us new ways to work, learn, play, and communicate. The Intel Museum is 10,000 square feet of fun, interactive learning for children and adults. Open Mondays through Friday, 9AM-5PM. Call 408-765-5050 to confirm the museum is open to the public, since they sometimes close for private events.
San Jose Museum of Art (First Friday after 6pm)
Contemporary art in downtown San Jose. Occasional free community art days.
Home Depot Kids Workshop (1st Saturday) – all locations
Join at 9AM on the First Saturday of every month.
