Free Museum Days in the Bay Area

The Bay Area museums are amazing and especially so on days when admission is free! Get there early and enjoy the wonderful museums, science centers and zoos. Here’s our ultimate list to help you plan and enjoy without a dent in the bank.

California Academy of Sciences

San Francisco residents get a special treat: you get two free weekends each year, once in the fall and once in the spring, based on your zip code.  Check this out, to find the next free date.

This ultra-cool museum also lets the general public get in for free, four Sundays a year. Check here for the next free day. Pro-tip: get their early because the crowds are sure to be in full effect.

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Hop on over to a museum that’s sure to tucker your little one out both physically and mentally. Bay Area residents get in for free on first Wednesday every other month (dates listed here). If you can’t make it then, check out your local library, many carry Bay Area Discovery Museum membership cards.

Oakland Museum of California

Experience No Spectators with Late-Night Events, a Burning Man-Themed Block Party, Artist Studio Tours, Conversations with Burning Man Founders, and more at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) whose mission is to encourage all Californians to create a brighter future.

Every first Sunday of the month, you can get in for free with a suggested donation. To check out their calendar, head here.

San Francisco Zoo

Let your little animals run wild for free at the SF Zoo on certain days if you’re a San Francisco resident. Check here for the next free Wednesday and don’t forget to bring proof of your address and a photo I.D.