The Exploratorium is a museum where you are supposed to touch everything. Founded in 1969 by physicist Frank Oppenheimer, it has hundreds of hands-on exhibits about light, sound, perception, biology and the bay itself. Since 2013 it has been on Pier 15 on the Embarcadero, a short walk from the Ferry Building, and it is one of the best rainy-day options in San Francisco for all ages.
In this guide
This guide is part of our San Francisco attractions hub. See also our rainy day ideas.
What to see
The museum is divided into galleries, each with dozens of exhibits to play with. Highlights include optical illusions and perception tricks, a giant tornado of mist, a room that changes how you see color, and the Bay Observatory gallery, a glass-walled space at the end of the pier with exhibits about the water, weather and city around you.
Outside, several free exhibits line the pier, including a fog bridge that sprays mist at set times.
The Tactile Dome
The Tactile Dome is a pitch-dark maze you crawl, climb and slide through using only your sense of touch. It needs a separate timed reservation on top of general admission and is not for anyone claustrophobic. Book ahead, as sessions sell out.
Tickets and hours
Tickets are timed and sold online, with lower prices for youth and children and free entry for young children. Adult tickets are typically around $40. The museum is usually open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and closed most Mondays. Check the Exploratorium website for current prices and hours.
After Dark on Thursdays
On Thursday evenings, the Exploratorium hosts After Dark, an 18+ night with drinks, talks and themed programs, and the galleries far less crowded than in the day. It is one of the most unusual things to do in San Francisco at night.
Tips and getting there
Allow three hours at least. Weekday afternoons are calmer once school groups leave. The museum has a café and a restaurant. The F line streetcar stops right outside on the Embarcadero, and Embarcadero BART station is about a 15-minute walk away. The Ferry Building is nearby for lunch.
Official resources: Exploratorium.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Exploratorium cost?
Adult tickets are typically around $40, with discounts for youth and children. Check the website for current prices.
How long should you spend at the Exploratorium?
Three to four hours is ideal, and families often stay longer.
Is the Exploratorium good for adults?
Yes. The exhibits work for all ages, and the 18+ After Dark evenings are aimed at adults.
Where is the Exploratorium?
On Pier 15 on the Embarcadero, between the Ferry Building and Pier 39.
Photo credits
Featured image: Mike Peel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; The Tactile Dome: Fred Hsu (Wikipedia:User:Fredhsu on en.wikipedia) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.