Which Bay Area museums are free for kids and parents on the same day?
Every free and nearly free way into San Francisco and Bay Area museums, in one place: monthly free days, library passes, EBT rates and Bank of America weekends. Updated October 12, 2026. We re-check every date against the museums' own sites at the start of each month.
- Free days left this fall — See the calendar
- Every free way in, by museum — Free days, library passes, EBT and Bank of America
- Free access programs — Get in on any day
- Museum guide by area — Best ages, what kids do, what to pair it with
Want more for the weekend? See this month's kids' events in the Bay Area and our year-round STEM events. Before a museum day, try one of our 20-minute STEM activities; after it, keep going with our critical thinking games.
Free Museum Days Left This Fall
Every free day from now to the end of November, in date order. Free days follow a fixed rule, so pick the one that fits your weekend and book anything that needs a reservation.
| When | Free at | Who gets in | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every Wednesday | Yerba Buena Center for the Arts | Everyone | Ages 17 and under are free any day |
| Every Saturday | de Young & Legion of Honor | Bay Area residents (9 counties) | Bring ID with your address |
| Mon, Wed, Fri9–10am | Japanese Tea Garden | Everyone | Reserve a timed entry |
| Daily7:30–9am | SF Botanical Garden | Everyone | SF residents are free all day |
| Sun, Oct 25 | SFMOMA Free Family Day | Up to 2 adults with a child 18 or under | Reserve; tickets open two weeks ahead |
| Sun, Nov 1 | Oakland Museum of California | Everyone | Special exhibitions included |
| Sun, Nov 1 | Asian Art Museum | Everyone | Diwali Celebration; special exhibitions cost extra |
| Tue, Nov 3 | de Young, Legion of Honor, Conservatory of Flowers | Everyone | Special exhibitions at the de Young and Legion cost extra |
| Wed, Nov 4 | San Francisco Zoo | SF residents | Bring proof of an SF address |
| Thu, Nov 5 | Museum of Craft and Design | Everyone | Open noon–5 |
| Nov 7–8 | Bank of America Museums on Us | BofA cardholders (one free entry per card) | de Young, Legion, OMCA, Computer History Museum; San José Museum of Art on Sunday only |
| Tue, Nov 10 | SF Botanical Garden | Everyone, all day | Also free on Thanksgiving, Nov 26 |
| Sat, Nov 14 | Museum of the African Diaspora | Everyone | Thrive @ MoAD Community Day |
Coming in December: de Young, Legion of Honor and Conservatory of Flowers on Dec 1; SF Zoo (SF residents) on Dec 2; Museum of Craft and Design on Dec 3; Museums on Us on Dec 5–6; OMCA and Asian Art on Dec 6; SF Botanical Garden on Dec 8; MoAD on Dec 12. These dates follow each museum's own rule, so confirm on its site before you go. Get next month's free days by email.
Every Free Way In, by Museum
Free days are only one route. A library pass works on ordinary days, EBT and WIC cardholders get Museums for All rates any day, and Bank of America cardholders get in free on the first full weekend of each month. If a museum has no free day, check the library pass column first.
| Museum | Free day | Library pass | EBT / Museums for All | Bank of America |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| de Young & Legion of Honor | First Tuesday; Saturdays for Bay Area residents17 and under always free | Yesde Young | Participates | Yes |
| Oakland Museum of California | First Sunday12 and under always free | Not confirmed | $1Up to 4 people | Yes |
| Asian Art Museum | First Sunday | Yes | Participates | No |
| SFMOMA | Free Family Days and Community Days18 and under always free | Not confirmed | Kids are free anyway | No |
| Exploratorium | None recurringPay-what-you-wish day, usually Mother's Day | Yes | $3Up to 4 people | No |
| California Academy of Sciences | None2 and under free daily | Yes | $5Up to 4 people | No |
| Chabot Space & Science Center | None | Yes | $1Up to 4 people | No |
| Lawrence Hall of Science | None | Some libraries | FreeCardholder plus 5 | No |
| Bay Area Discovery Museum | None posted | YesMarin libraries also lend passes | $5Up to 4 tickets | No |
| The Tech Interactive | None | Yes | $5Up to 6 people | October only |
| CuriOdyssey | None | Yes | FreeEBT, SNAP or WIC | No |
| Yerba Buena Center for the Arts | Every Wednesday17 and under always free | Not confirmed | Free | No |
| San Francisco Zoo | First Wednesday, SF residents | Not confirmed | Participates | No |
Checked October 2026. Library pass: "Yes" means at least one Bay Area library lists the museum on Discover & Go. Each library's list is different and sits behind your library login, and "Not confirmed" means we couldn't find a listing, not that there isn't one. EBT: "Participates" means the museum is on the Museums for All list but doesn't post its price, so ask at the door.
Our take: which free day is worth it?
| Museum | Our take |
|---|---|
| de Young | The easiest free museum day in the Bay Area: every Saturday for residents, and the observation tower never needs a ticket. |
| Oakland Museum of California | The best-value First Sunday for families, because special exhibitions are included and kids 12 and under are free anyway. |
| SFMOMA Family Day | Worth planning around, but reservations are required and open two weeks ahead. Set a reminder. |
| Exploratorium | Don't wait for a free day; there isn't a regular one. Use a library pass or the $3 EBT rate. |
| California Academy of Sciences | No free days at all. Try a library pass first; toddlers 2 and under are free and EBT families pay $5. |
| SF Zoo | Only for SF residents, and only with proof of address. Everyone else should look for a library pass. |
🎟️ Free Access Programs: Get In on Any Day
No free day this weekend? These programs work on ordinary days. Most families qualify for at least one, and almost everyone can use a library pass.
| Program | Who qualifies | What you get | When | How to use it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover & Go library passes | Library cardholders who live in the library's service areaMinimum age 14–18, by library | Free or discounted admission for a groupSome passes cover one adult; special exhibitions not included | Any day with a passNew passes on the 1st, up to 3 months ahead; 2 at a time | Reserve, then print or download (no screenshots; can't cancel after): San Francisco, Oakland, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Contra Costa, Alameda County |
| Borrowed library passes | Library cardholders | Physical passes, e.g. a Bay Area Discovery Museum pass (6 people, 1 week); California State Parks day-use passes | While you have the pass | Ask at your branch, e.g. Marin County Free Library |
| Museums for All | SNAP EBT or WIC cardholdersSome museums also take Medi-Cal | Free to $5 per person, usually up to 4 people | Any open day | Show your card and ID at the ticket desk (full list) |
| Bank of America Museums on Us | Bank of America and Merrill cardholders | One free general admission per cardde Young, Legion, OMCA, Computer History Museum, San José Museum of Art (Sundays), The Tech (October) | First full weekend of each monthNext: Nov 7–8, Dec 5–6 | Show your card and photo ID; guests pay (partner list) |
| Resident free days | SF or Bay Area residents | Free admission on set days, or every day at some SF gardens | See the calendar above | Bring ID with your address |
| Kids-free rules | Children under each museum's age limit | Free general admission for the child | Every day | SFMOMA 18 and under; de Young, Legion and YBCA 17 and under; OMCA 12 and under; Cal Academy 2 and under |
| Blue Star Museums | Active-duty military, including Guard and Reserve, plus up to 5 family members | Free admission at participating museums | Summer onlyMay 16–Sept 7 in 2026 | Show military ID |
Parent tip
Set a phone reminder for the 1st of every month. That's when Discover & Go releases new passes, and weekend passes go first. Book the pass first, then plan the day around it.
Museum Guide by Area
Pick by your child's age, then check the tables above for the cheapest day to go.
Golden Gate Park
| Museum | Best for | What kids do | Pair it with |
|---|---|---|---|
| de Young Museum | Ages 6–14 | American art, textiles and family art-making; the observation tower needs no ticket | Japanese Tea Garden or Stow Lake |
| California Academy of SciencesTimed tickets | All ages | Four-story rainforest, aquarium tunnel, planetarium and penguin feedings | The Music Concourse or the free de Young tower |
| Conservatory of FlowersClosed Wednesdays | Ages 3–12 | Butterflies and scavenger hunts in a warm, jungle-like greenhouse | Koret Playground |
| SF Botanical Garden | Ages 3–12 | The Children's Garden, koi ponds and Bean Sprout Days gardening on 55 stroller-friendly acres | A picnic, then the Conservatory of Flowers |
| Japanese Tea GardenReserve a timed entry | Ages 4+ | Koi, arched bridges, lanterns and pagodas | Stow Lake or coffee at Andytown |
Downtown, SoMa & the Waterfront
| Museum | Best for | What kids do | Pair it with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian Art MuseumCivic Center | Ages 5–14 | Sculptures, armor and textiles; family workshops and storytelling on select days | Civic Center farmers market or coffee on Hayes Street |
| SFMOMASoMa | Ages 5–14Best for tweens and teens | Big, colorful modern art; Family Days add art making, storytime and performances | Yerba Buena Gardens or coffee at Mint Plaza |
| Yerba Buena Center for the ArtsSoMa | Ages 8+ | Walk-through installations; workshops and performances on select days | Yerba Buena Gardens playground |
| Museum of the African DiasporaSoMa, Montgomery St BART | Ages 8–16 | Art projects, music, dance and storytelling at community days | Yerba Buena Gardens |
| Museum of Craft and DesignDogpatch; open Thu–Sun, noon–5 | Ages 6–14 | Kinetic sculpture and furniture; hands-on MakeArt Lab; an easy 45–60 minute visit | Lunch in Dogpatch |
| Cable Car MuseumNob Hill; always free, closed Mondays | Ages 5–12 | Watch the real machinery that pulls every cable car | A cable car ride there |
| ExploratoriumPier 15 | Ages 5–16 | Hundreds of hands-on science exhibits; warm up with our 20-minute STEM activities | Ferry Building or an Embarcadero walk |
West Side of San Francisco
| Museum | Best for | What kids do | Pair it with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legion of HonorLincoln Park | Ages 8+ | Ancient sculpture and paintings; quieter, so better for older kids | Lands End hike or Ocean Beach sunset |
| San Francisco ZooParkside | Ages 3–12 | A full day of animals; pack snacks | Ocean Beach walk |
East Bay, Peninsula & South Bay
| Museum | Best for | What kids do | Pair it with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland Museum of CaliforniaOakland | Ages 4–12 | Climb into historic wagons, touch animal furs, play in the Nature Playspace | A picnic in the museum's garden |
| CuriOdysseySan Mateo; $6 parking at Coyote Point | Ages 2–10 | A science playground plus rescued bobcats, owls and river otters | Coyote Point Recreation Area |
| The Tech InteractiveSan Jose | Ages 7–15 | Program robots in the Social Robots lab and ride the earthquake platform; read our smart robots guide first | Plaza de César Chávez next door |
Marin, Sonoma & Santa Cruz
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| Museum | Best for | What kids do | Pair it with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Area Discovery MuseumSausalito | Ages 1–10 | Indoor and outdoor creative play with Golden Gate views | Fort Baker or lunch in Sausalito |
| Children's Museum of Sonoma CountySanta Rosa; closed Tuesdays | Ages 0–10 | A miniature Russian River, water play, and a pretend market and clinic | A change of clothes for the water play |
| Santa Cruz Children's Museum of DiscoveryCapitola Mall; closed Tuesdays | Ages 0–8 | Climb a hollowed-out redwood and dig for fossils | Capitola Village beach |
What Changed on This Page
We re-check every museum on this page at the start of each month.
- Oct 12, 2026: Added the fall free-day calendar, the every-way-in table (with library passes), the free access programs table and the museum guide by area. Removed SFMOMA Free First Thursdays (no longer listed) and Bay Area Discovery Museum free Wednesdays (no longer posted). Corrected Chabot's EBT price to $1, the SF Zoo resident day to every first Wednesday, Museum of Craft and Design hours, and the Japanese Tea Garden link.
Get next month's free museum days by email when we post them.
FAQ
Which Bay Area museums are free on the first Sunday of the month?
The Oakland Museum of California and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco are both free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month. At OMCA, First Sunday also includes the special exhibitions in the Great Hall, and kids 12 and under are free every day.
What museums are free in San Francisco in November 2026?
The Asian Art Museum is free Nov 1; the de Young, Legion of Honor and Conservatory of Flowers on Nov 3; the SF Zoo for SF residents on Nov 4; the Museum of Craft and Design on Nov 5; SF Botanical Garden on Nov 10; and MoAD on Nov 14. YBCA is free every Wednesday.
Is the de Young free on Saturdays?
Yes, for Bay Area residents. Residents of the nine Bay Area counties get free general admission to the de Young and Legion of Honor every Saturday. Everyone gets in free on the first Tuesday of the month, and kids 17 and under are always free to the permanent collection. Special exhibitions cost extra.
Is SFMOMA free for kids?
Yes. Visitors 18 and younger always get free admission to SFMOMA. On Free Family Days (next: Oct 25, 2026), up to two adults with a child or teen also get in free. Free First Thursdays are no longer listed on SFMOMA's free-days page, and surcharged exhibitions are not included.
Is the Exploratorium ever free?
Rarely. The Exploratorium has no recurring free day, only an annual pay-what-you-wish community day, usually on Mother's Day. The better routes are a Discover & Go library pass, which it accepts, or Museums for All, which costs $3 for up to four people with an EBT or eligible Medi-Cal card.
Is the California Academy of Sciences ever free?
Not on a regular schedule. Cal Academy has no free days currently scheduled, but Bay Area libraries list it on Discover & Go. Children 2 and under are free every day, San Francisco school field trips are free, and EBT families pay $5 per person for up to four.
How does Discover & Go work?
Discover & Go lets library cardholders reserve free museum passes online. Most Bay Area libraries allow two active reservations, release passes on the 1st of the month for up to three months ahead, and require you to live in the library's service area. Some passes must be printed, and printed passes can't be cancelled.
What is Bank of America Museums on Us?
It gives Bank of America and Merrill cardholders one free general admission per card on the first full weekend of every month; guests pay. Bay Area partners include the de Young, Legion of Honor, Oakland Museum of California and Computer History Museum. The next dates are Nov 7–8 and Dec 5–6, 2026.
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