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Are reservations for School Field Trips, Summer Camp Visits, and/or Group Visits required? Yes, reservations are required for all group visits. Important: Groups of 15 children or more must reserve in advance. Groups without a reservation may be turned away at Box Office.
- Old Custom House Museum in Monterey. Location: 1 Custom House Plaza, Monterey. History abounds at The Old Custom House Museum in Monterey. This is where you will learn about the heritage of California and its settlement, first by the indigenous locals and then by the Spanish and Mexican influence.
- Cable Car Museum: Free Museums Bay Area. Location: 1201 Mason St, San Francisco. Among the many things that San Francisco is famous for, it is perhaps the cable cars that are among the most charming.
- University of California Museum of Paleontology. Location: Campanile Way, Berkeley. The University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) is a free museum that will thrill those who love fossils and ancient history.
- African American Museum and Library at Oakland. Location: 659 14th St, Oakland. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland charts the history and culture of the African American population in California and the West, and as such, it is an important free museum that tells a fascinating story.
Apr 5, 2023 · Here we’ve rounded up some essential free museums and exhibitions in San Francisco ranging from small art collections to fascinating explorations of local history. Read on to get inspired for your next outing into SF’s vibrant arts and culture scene, free of charge.
- Cable Car Museum
- Fire Department Museum
- San Francisco Maritime Museum
- Octagon House
- Pier 24 Photography
- San Francisco Railway Museum
- Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco
- The Randall Museum
- Wells Fargo Museum
- Museum of The Eye
This is one of the top free museums in San Francisco. It offers you the chance to learn all about the history of the cable cars in San Francisco, including all of the lines that used to run throughout the city. You can also take a peek inside the powerhouse, where you can watch the wheels and cables in real time actually pulling the cars that still...
Head over to Pacific Heightsto take a look at the history of the SF Fire Department. This lovely little spot has many interesting displays, including several historic engines. One of my favorite exhibits here is about the 1906 earthquake and fire. In their display case, you get the chance to read some of the documents about this event and see sever...
There are two free parts of the larger San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. One is the Visitor Center, located on the ground floor of the Argonaut Hotel in Fisherman's Wharf. Inside, you will find interactive exhibits where you will learn all about the history of this famous district. You will learn about the first fisherman that called t...
The McElroy Octagon House is a rare find. It was built in 1861 and is one of only two octagon houses still standing in San Francisco. This blue and white beauty was saved by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in California in 1951. After they purchased it, they fixed it up and started offering tours. Today, you can still visit fo...
Opened in 2010, Pier 24 Photography is one of the newer free museums in San Francisco. At this museum, you will see a variety of photography exhibits from around the world. It's a wonderful place that isn't too crowded. It's free, but you do need to make reservations before you visit, which allows them to keep the numbers down. It's located near th...
Another one of the often-overlooked free museums in San Francisco is the Railway Museum. You will find it along the F streetcar line at the Steuart Street stop, just across from the Ferry Building. Inside, you will find more information on these historic vehicles that run up and down Market Street. You will also learn more about when they came to S...
ICA SF is also known as the Minnesota Street Project from its location at 901 Minnesota Street in San Francisco's growing Dogpatch neighborhood. This free museum houses several galleries in three repurposed warehouse buildings. You can't miss the eye-popping design on the outside. They are driven by the mission of providing an affordable space for ...
If you are traveling with kids, then make sure to add the Randall Museum to your itinerary. This free kids' museum of "Science, Nature, and the Arts" tells the story of SF's local animals and some of its rich history. They offer camps, classes for all ages, and tons of fun hands-on activities. You will find this newly remodeled museum at 199 Museum...
Another one of my favorite free museums in San Francisco is the Wells Fargo Museum. Inside, you will learn more about the history of the Pony Express, see rare documents from the 1800s and early 1900s, and enjoy their interactive displays. They also offer special exhibits that showcase important times in SF's history including the anniversary of th...
The small but fascinating Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye is easy to overlook as an attraction, as it is found on the ground floor of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. However, it's conveniently located in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf and worth a visit, as it's the only free, public museum in the world dedicated to the amazing science of s...
Visit the best place for kids and families in Baltimore and enjoy hours of indoor play, family fun, and learning! Check out Port Discovery's hours, admission prices, location, parking information, and tips for visiting!
Jun 10, 2024 · The 15 best museums in San Francisco, including Art, Science, and History museums, and a few small, fun museums that are absolutely free. San Francisco is fortunate to have many major sights and activities for visitors and locals to enjoy.
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San Francisco (California) has a lot to offer for you culturally, even if you're on a budget, including free museums, free activities and free attractions. 22 museums and attractions in San Francisco can be visited without charge.
