San Francisco

Exploratorium General Admission Ticket

Badge of ExcellenceSan Francisco, USA
  • 3 to 5 hours
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Engage your senses and delve into a world of discovery at San Francisco’s Exploratorium. With a fantastic location on Pier 15 overlooking San Francisco Bay, the museum offers hundreds of interactive exhibits for the whole family. Explore the amazing realms of physics, anatomy, human perception, and Earth’s ecosystems through inquiry-based displays that delight and inform visitors of all ages.
  • Spend a day with the whole family at this one-of-a-kind museum
  • Enjoy hundreds of fun, immersive, interactive exhibits that engage all the senses for visitors of all ages
  • Learn about physics, music, art, biology, and much more
  • Conveniently located at Pier 15 between the Ferry Building and Fisherman’s Wharf/Pier 39

What's Included

  • Daytime admission to the Exploratorium
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Tactile Dome experience
  • Viator ticket purchases cannot be applied to an annual membership at the museum.
  • After Dark - Thursday Evening Admission (Ages 18+ only)

Meeting and Pickup

Start time

Opening hours

  • 1/11/2024 - 5/23/2025

    Tuesday - Saturday : 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM

What To Expect

Kids and adults will love the Exploratorium in San Francisco. This favorite family attraction boasts a convenient new location along the Embarcadero waterfront, between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Ferry Building. Enjoy the vibrant bayside energy of Pier 15, and then head inside this unique museum with your all-day general admission ticket.

Explore at your own pace on a self-guided experience through hundreds of exhibits spread across six spacious galleries, including an open-air gallery. Experiment with lights, mirrors, and bubbles in Gallery 3, and discover the inner workings of the brain and human perception in Gallery 1. 

Investigate mechanical contraptions in the Tinkering Studio, and explore life from DNA and cells to organisms and ecosystems in Gallery 4. Learn about the natural and human forces that shape the unique San Francisco Bay Area in an outdoor space, and take in sweeping views of the Bay and Bay Bridge at the Bay Observatory.

Exploratorium

Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • All exhibition spaces, the Store, dining areas, and all public restrooms are wheelchair and stroller accessible.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • A limited number of wheelchairs and strollers are available for loan, free of charge. They are located at the Info Desk on a first-come first-serve basis.
  • Guide dogs and other certified assistance animals are welcome
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Tactile maps for blind and visually impaired visitors are available upon request.
  • Coin-operated lockers are located just past Ticketing and the Info desk
  • Near public transportation
  • Complimentary museum maps are available in English, Spanish, French, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, German, Portuguese, Arabic, Japanese, Korean and Filipino.
  • Free admission for children ages 3 and under
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

4.5
123 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 123 reviews
Fun for a 19yo sister and a 12yo brother to do together.
Michelle_J, Aug 2023
There are six sections inside and a play area outside. I would plan to spend a minimum of 30-45 minutes in each section.
Exploration & Discovery
Marcela_M, May 2023
My grandson (4yrs) especially enjoyed the “hands-on” activities! I loved the tolerant attitude of all parents/adults. Great time for teaching about respect for others, sharing and “waiting your turn”.
A great experience for children and adults.
Richard_P, Oct 2022
An incredible experience for children and adults into the science of chemistry, physics, and the world around us. The exhibits explain complex information with hands-on experiences and active learning.
MEGA
Adeline_H, Jul 2022
I feel like I could watch the curtains dance for hours on end. Really neat experience over all. Price was good too))
This is huge ...
Thomas_Y, Jul 2022
This is huge Our son was really excited and enjoyed His favorite part is area 1 It’s good for everyone
Valentino's birthday
Cindy_A, Jun 2022
Brought my grandkids for my great grandson a birthday. We stayed till closing. They didn't want to go so I'm sure we will return
When Can We Come Back?
Margaret_P, Jun 2022
We took our son, his wife & children. It was particularly fun as he has 2 very curious kids but totally different curiosities. The 3 year old had never seen so many things to try & figure out how they worked. The 6 year old danced her life away making all sorts of cool shadows etc
Very cool
Tina_N, Jun 2022
Very cool, I like the floating heads. My boyfriend was very interested in seeing new science inventions especially the bacteria wall that he calls a world map.
Always something new to learn
Monica_M, Apr 2022
My daughter had never been to the Exploratorium. My son had so much fun showing her his favorite things. They had fun experiencing the new exhibits.
Learning experience
Grace_U, Mar 2022
Lots of fascinating exhibits even for senior and adult daughter. Reasonably priced. Overall worthwhile to visit for all ages.
Florida Visitors’ First Visit to the Exploratorium
Lizabeth_M, Mar 2022
Our almost seven year old granddaughter walked in the doors after seeing her ticket scanned and from then on did not stop. We allowed three hours for our visit and still had to practically force her to leave. She went from exhibit to exhibit, staying at her favorites for varying lengths of time. There were no prohibitions on touching anything which was a welcome relief after taking her to art museums. I read in advance that the museum was on three acres of land. Since we stayed in one building the entire time, I am unclear about the Vastness of the Exploratium, but suppose that will be determined on a subsequent village. One terrific feature is the opportunity for students to create drawings in the company of other children. It was such a good feeling to watch children working side by side, cooperating and encouraging one another.
First visit
Romell_R, Mar 2022
First time visiting very good experience. my three-year-old grandkids had a good time. We will return in two years
All they did was be rude not helpful they should quit their jobs they obviously don’t like them or they are racist one
Jenna_C, Feb 2022
They did NOT have maps to let you know where things were. No line but gave run around 20 mins to get in.
Well worth an afternoon!
Paula_L, Feb 2022
I really enjoyed the optical illusion exhibits. So very cool! For parents of children who are interested in pursuing a career in engineering, this venue will inspire them!
Boring/Save your money
Hollie_H, Feb 2022
I had not been to the Exploratorium since it was at the former location. It was by far not as fun as I remembered. I though it was boring, we took our 4 year old grandson and he really enjoyed the bubble area and there were several other stations he seemed to enjoy but we asked him if he had fun and he said “it was a little bit boring” we also asked if he would like to go again with his parents and he said “maybe”. Our other grandchildren live in Portland OR and we go to a place called Omni which is SO much more fun. Exploratorium needs to take some pointers from Omni.
Exploring. Learning....
Jamie_P, Jan 2022
Exploring. Learning. Smiling. Coffee. Being able to play with things. Little confusing but figured it out
Most excellent adventure
RAND_R, Aug 2019
Could have spent another day! Fascinating displays, one after another. Kids enjoyed everything. Lunch was pricey! $95 for 5 for hot dogs, fries, mac and cheese and one salad. Bring your own.
Awesome place!
Theresa_S, Jul 2019
The Exploratorium was amazing. So much to see and do. Kids were active the entire time. Get there early as it will take all day to see and do everything.
This is a fun place to explore. Make...
Cheri J, Mar 2018
This is a fun place to explore. Make sure you check out the view from the second floor balcony. If you get a chance to do the tactile dome, DO IT! If you prefer not to hang out with running screaming kids then pick the nighttime event.
Fantastic...this is amazing for kids...
Kathleen S, Aug 2017
Fantastic...this is amazing for kids of all ages. Bought tickets for 2 adults and 3 children...arrived to find it closed and was upset to be out over $100. The voucher said no refunds. Called Viator that night,they changed ticket to next day!! I was beyond impressed and thrilled. Always use Vistor!

From $39.95

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

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