Mon–Tue and Fri–Sun 10am–5pm, Thu noon–8pm (closed Wed)
SFMOMA · San Francisco
SFMOMA keeps 45,000 square feet of art-filled public space on Floors 1 and 2 open with no ticket, including large commissions and murals. Guests 18 and younger get free admission to the whole museum every day. Adult tickets are $30. Closed Wednesdays.
Verified Oct 27 · sfmoma.org
Catch: Full museum free only for ages 18 and under; public galleries free for all
The 9th-floor Hamon Observation Tower at the de Young museum in Golden Gate Park gives 360-degree views over the park and city, and it never needs a ticket. Wilsey Court, the museum's central space, is also free to walk into. Tower open Tuesday–Sunday, 9:30am–4:30pm.
Daily 7:30–9am; all day on the 2nd Tuesday of each month
San Francisco Botanical Garden
San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park is free for everyone every day from 7:30 to 9am, all day on the second Tuesday of each month, and on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. San Francisco residents and veterans get in free any time (see the separate listing).
Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park · San Francisco
The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park is free for everyone from 9 to 10am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Open daily from 9am; last entry 4:30pm November–February.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park charges no entrance fee. The Maritime Museum is open Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm, and the visitor center every day, 10am–5pm. Hyde Street Pier is closed for a rebuild, and the historic ships have moved temporarily to Mare Island in Vallejo.
Housed in the Washington-Mason powerhouse and carbarn on Nob Hill, the museum shows historic cable cars, photographs and mechanical displays from 1873 to today, and you can watch the machinery that pulls the cables. Admission is free. Closed Mondays, plus Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Daily 8:30am–5pm (Oct–May); docent tours Sat 2pm, Sun 11am and 2pm
Tilden Regional Parks Botanic Garden · San Francisco
A botanic garden in Tilden Regional Park in the Berkeley hills. Entrance and parking are free. Free docent tours meet at the visitor center Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 11am and 2pm (10 spots each). Open daily 8:30am–5pm October–May.
Designed by Nagao Sakurai of Tokyo's Imperial Palace, this garden in downtown San Mateo's Central Park has a granite pagoda, tea house, koi pond and bamboo grove. Open Monday–Friday 10am–4pm and weekends 11am–4pm; no dogs.
Verified Oct 27 · cityofsanmateo.org
No catch
AttractionsFree (worth about $12)Eligibility applies
During garden hours (Botanical Garden from 7:30am, Tea Garden from 9am, Conservatory 10am–4:30pm, closed Wed)
Gardens of Golden Gate Park · San Francisco
San Francisco residents and veterans get in free any day at all three Golden Gate Park gardens: the Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Garden and the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Show a California license or ID with your San Francisco address (or a utility bill or lease plus photo ID; a photo on your phone works). EBT cardholders also get free entry for up to four people.
Verified Oct 27 · gggp.org
Catch: San Francisco residents or veterans only: bring proof · Special exhibitions and events still charge
de Young and Legion of Honor museums · San Francisco
Both Fine Arts Museums open their permanent collections free to everyone at 4:30pm, no ticket needed, until closing at 5:15pm. It's a short window, so pick a few galleries. Adult tickets are otherwise $25; special exhibitions still charge.
Verified Oct 27 · famsf.org
Catch: Permanent collection only: special exhibitions still charge
Explore the historic fort at the south anchorage of the Golden Gate Bridge, including its roof. No entrance pass is needed. Open Thursday–Monday, 10am–5pm (roof closes 4:30pm); the outside of the fort is open every day.
de Young and Legion of Honor museums · San Francisco
Every Saturday, residents of the nine Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma) get free general admission to the de Young in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park. Book ahead online or show ID at the desk. Adult tickets are otherwise $25.
Verified Oct 27 · famsf.org
Catch: Bay Area residents only: bring ID · Permanent collection only: special exhibitions extra · Free ticket recommended: book online
On the first Sunday of every month, admission to the Oakland Museum of California is free, now including all special exhibitions: galleries of California art, history and natural sciences, plus the garden. Open 11am–5pm. Reserve a free entry time online to skip the wait, or pick up a ticket at the desk.
General admission to the Asian Art Museum near Civic Center is free on the first Sunday of every month, with family activities, storytelling and tours. November 1 is a Diwali celebration with rangoli and henna art, a chef talk with a tasting and dance performances. Special exhibitions are discounted to $10 that day.
Verified Oct 27 · about.asianart.org
Catch: General admission only: special exhibitions $10
Always free 5 listings
AttractionsFree (worth about $35)Eligibility applies
California public school PreK–12 teachers get a free general admission voucher to the Exploratorium at Pier 15. Apply through the museum's teacher form and bring your teacher ID.
Verified Oct 27 · exploratorium.edu
Catch: California public school PreK–12 teachers only · Apply on the museum's teacher form; bring teacher ID · One voucher per teacher
de Young and Legion of Honor museums · San Francisco
General admission to the de Young and the Legion of Honor is free for everyone on the first Tuesday of every month. Book a free ticket online or pick one up at the desk while they last. Special exhibitions still charge.
Verified Oct 27 · famsf.org
Catch: Free ticket recommended: book online · Permanent collection only: special exhibitions extra
AttractionsFree (worth about $25)Eligibility applies
Oakland, Emeryville and Piedmont residents 14 and up can reserve free or discounted passes to Bay Area museums, science centers, zoos and theaters through Discover & Go. Log in with your library card, reserve a date and print the pass.
Verified Oct 27 · oaklandlibrary.org
Catch: Library card required (Oakland, Emeryville or Piedmont residents, 14+) · Some passes are discounted, not free · Two reservations at a time
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)
Gallery admission at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive is free all day on the first Thursday of each month. Upcoming: November 5 and December 3, 2026.
