de Young Museum

Whether the economy is strong or sour, most of the museums in San Francisco and the Bay Area throw their doors open once a month to allow free admission to all comers.

Generally on the first Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of each month, these free days are often crowded, but if you arrive early, you’ll stand a great chance of seeing some of the Bay Area’s best museums for free.

Please note that holidays can affect opening days, so please check with the museums first before attending.

Updated 1/2/25

Free Admission to SF & Bay Area Museums

Asian Art Museum

FREE First Sundays  
One of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian art with a collection of over 18,000 artworks spanning 6,000 years of history. Free admission to the permanent galleries every first Sunday (except for holidays) from 10am to 5pm. Special collection surcharges may apply.
– 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco – BART: Civic Center
– confirmed 12/16/24

2025 Free Dates:

• January 5, 2025
• February 2, 2025
• March 2, 2025
• April 6, 2025
• May 4, 2025
• June 1, 2025
• July 6, 2025
• August 3, 2025
• September 7, 2025
• October 5, 2025
• November 2, 2025
• December 7, 2025

Legion of Honor

Legion of Honor

FREE First Tuesdays (for everyone)
FREE Every Saturday (for Bay Area residents w/ valid ID)
This exquisite Beaux-Arts building, located on a perch with an unbelievable view overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, houses a collection of 4,000 years of ancient and European arts. Special exhibition surcharges may apply.
– 100 34th Ave, San Francisco
– confirmed 1/2/25

Free First Tuesday Dates for 2025:
January 7, 2025
February 4, 2025
March 4, 2025
April 1, 2025
May 6, 2025
June 3, 2025
July 1, 2025
August 5, 2025
September 2, 2025
October 7, 2025
November 4, 2025
December 2, 2025

de Young Museum

FREE First Tuesdays (for everyone)
FREE Every Saturday (for Bay Area residents w/ valid ID)
One of the most visited art museums in the country, the de Young showcases a priceless collection of American art from the 17th through 20th centuries along with art from Central and South America and the Pacific, in addition to an impressive collection of textiles. Free admission to permanent galleries only. Special exhibition fees may apply.
– 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
– confirmed 1/2/25

Free First Tuesday Dates for 2025:
January 7, 2025
February 4, 2025
March 4, 2025
April 1, 2025
May 6, 2025
June 3, 2025
July 1, 2025
August 5, 2025
September 2, 2025
October 7, 2025
November 4, 2025
December 2, 2025

Museum of Craft and Design

IMPORTANT UPDATE: April 16, 2025 is the last day for “Pay What You Wish” Wednesday at MCD. No further update as of the moment.

FREE Every Wednesday* (Pay-what-you-wish) – 
Rather than featuring paintings or traditional sculpture, the museum showcases other types of artwork that range from furniture, kinetic sculptures, and jewelry. New for 2025, PWYW tickets can now be reserved online in advance.
– 2569 Third Street, San Francisco
– confirmed 12/17/24

2025 Free Dates

• January 2025: 8, 15, 22, 29
• February 2025: 5, 12, 19, 26
• March 2025: 5, 12, 19, 26
• April 2025: 2, 9, 16
• May 2025: 14, 21, 28
• June 2025: 4, 11, 18, 25
• July 2025: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• August 2025: 6, 13, 20, 27
• September 2025: 3, 10
• October 2025: 8, 15, 22, 29
• November 2025: 5, 12, 19, 26
• December 2025: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

*Please note that in addition to major holidays, the museum will be closed for exhibition changeovers in 2025 on April 23, April 30, May 7,  September 17, September 24, and October 1, So there won’t be any PWYC entry on those dates.

Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD)

FREE Every Second Saturday* (11am-6pm)
The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) offers free entry for “Thrive @ MoAD Community Day”. The museum is dedicated to sharing the art and stories of our common African heritage with audiences from around the world.
– *Double check on their events calendar as free days sometimes change.
– 685 Mission St (at 3rd), San Francisco (Ground floor of the St. Regis)
– confirmed 12/17/24

2025 Free Dates:

• January 11, 2025
• Monday, January 20, 2025 (11a-5p) – Special MLK Day of Service Celebration
• February 8, 2025
• Closed March – September 2025 for construction
• October 11, 2025 – tentative (pending MoAD has reopened in time)
• November 8, 2025 – tentative (pending MoAD has reopened in time)
• December 13, 2025 – tentative (pending MoAD has reopened in time)

Bank of America Free Days

Free Weekends at 8 Bay Area museums for cardholders
Holders of Bank of America credit cards and debit cards get free admission to eight Bay Area museums for one weekend each month – typically (but not always) the first full weekend of the month. Museums include Legion of Honor (SF), de Young Museum (SF), Contemporary Jewish Museum (SF), San Jose Museum of Art (SJ), and Computer History Museum (SJ).
– confirmed 4/7/25

2025 Free Dates
Please note dates might change, especially due to holidays. Check bankofamerica.com for latest updates

• January: Saturday, January 4 – Sunday, January 5
• February: Saturday, February 1 – Sunday, February 2
• March: Saturday, March 1 – Sunday, March 2
• April: Saturday, April 5 – Sunday, April 6
• May: Saturday, May 3 – Sunday, May 4
• June: Saturday, June 7 – Sunday, June 8
• July: Saturday, July 5 – Sunday, July 6
• August: Saturday, August 2 – Sunday, August 3
• September: Saturday, September 6 – Sunday, September 7
• October: Saturday, October 4 – Sunday, October 5
• November: Saturday, November 1 – Sunday, November 2
• December: Saturday, December 6 – Sunday, December 7

Oakland Museum of California

FREE First Sundays
Covering four city blocks in Oakland, the museum specializes in collections of art, history and natural science to tell the story of California. Additional fee of $6 might be required for optional admission to special exhibitions in the Great Hall. “First” Sundays date sometimes move a week due to major holidays.
– 1000 Oak Street, Oakland – BART: Lake Merritt
– confirmed 12/23/24

2025 Free Dates

• January 5, 2025
• February 2, 2025
• March 2, 2025
• April 6, 2025
• May 4, 2025
• June 1, 2025
• July 6, 2025
• August 3, 2025
• September 7, 2025
• October 5, 2025
• November 2, 2025
• December 7, 2025

Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM) CLOSED FOR 2025

As of December 16, 2024 the CJM is closed for at least a year due to financial concerns. Learn More

SFMOMA 

While the museum doesn’t have a regularly-recurring free day for the general public, the SFMOMA does have many free options. Bay Area locals get free admission on Free First Thursdays. Plus, SFMOMA offers “Free Family Days” where up to two adults may claim a free tickets when accompanied by a visitor 18 and under. Everyone 18 and under gets free admission every day. The museum features over 45,000 square feet of art-filled public spaces (no ticket required). The public spaces are open daily at 10 am with last admission a half hour before closing. See all free days.
– 151 Third Street, San Francisco
– confirmed 2/19/25

FREE First Thursdays (Bay Area residents only)
All residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend a day at the museum on us! From Noon–8 pm on the first Thursday of every month, Bay Area residents can enjoy SFMOMA’s galleries filled with lively and inspiring art and related events — for free. Tickets and event details become available about two weeks in advance, and reserving online is highly encouraged. Limit two adult tickets per reservation. Qualifying counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.

2025 Free First Thursdays Dates:

• January 2, 2025
• February 6, 2025
• March 6, 2025
• April 3, 2025
• May 1, 2025
• June 5, 2025
• July 3, 2025
• August 7, 2025
• September 4, 2025
• October 2, 2025
• November 6, 2025
• December 4, 2025

FREE “Family Days” (Periodic) – Requires having at least one “kid” with your group (18 and under)
Enjoy a day of art and family fun at SFMOMA! These special days include art-making activities for the whole family in our Koret Education Center, located on Floor 2, plus additional activities and activations. Admission to the museum is free for up to four adults accompanying one child or teen (eighteen and younger). Reserve your free tickets when they become available.

2025 Free Family Days
– February 9, 2025
– June 8, 2025

FREE “Free Community Days“ (Periodic)
Available for anyone (not just families), Free Community Days offer free museum-wide admission to all visitors. Combined with a wide range of immersive activities and performances inspired by the latest SFMOMA exhibition, these Free Community Days highlight the extraordinary creativity of local artists and community organizations.

2025 Free Community Days
– April 13, 2025
– Typically, there is also a fall one as well

BAMPFA Berkeley Art Museum

FREE First Thursdays
BAMPFA, the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, is the visual arts center of the University of California, Berkeley. Their mission is to inspire the imagination and ignite critical dialogue through art and film. Galleries free for all on the first Thursday of each month. Open 11am to 7pm
– 2155 Center Street, Berkeley – BART: Downtown Berkeley
– confirmed 12/31/24

2025 Free Dates

• Please note, the museum is closed on January 2, 2025
• February 6, 2025
• March 6, 2025
• April 3, 2025
• May 1, 2025
• June 5, 2025
• July 3, 2025
• August 7, 2025
• September 4, 2025
• October 2, 2025
• November 6, 2025
• December 4, 2025

Conservatory of Flowers

Conservatory of Flowers

FREE First Tuesdays (Everyone)
Free Admission for San Francisco Residents (Every day w/ valid ID)
Opened in 1879, the wood and glass greenhouse is the oldest existing conservatory of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and features 1,700 species of rare, exotic and endangered plants from more than 50 different countries. The Conservatory of Flowers is free any day for San Francisco residents (and veterans) with valid ID.
– 100 John F Kennedy Dr, San Francisco – Golden Gate Park
– confirmed 12/24/24

2025 Free Dates:

• January 7, 2025
• Please note, the typical Feb. 4 event is cancelled due to annual maintenance
• March 4, 2025
• April 1, 2025
• May 6, 2025
• June 3, 2025
• July 1, 2025
• August 5, 2025
• September 2, 2025
• October 7, 2025
• November 4, 2025
• December 2, 2025

Japanese Tea Garden

FREE Hour – 9am to 10am Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays (Everyone)
FREE Admission for San Francisco Residents (Every day w/ valid ID)
Originally created as a “Japanese Village” exhibit for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, the Japanese Tea Garden endures as one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco, featuring classic elements such as an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds and a zen garden. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April. The Japanese Tea Garden is free any day for San Francisco residents (and veterans) with valid ID.
– 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco – Golden Gate Park
– confirmed 1/1/25

San Francisco Botanical Garden

Free Daily: 7:30–9am (enter via the Main Gate) (Everyone)
Free Monthly: Second Tuesday of every month (Everyone)
Holiday Free Days: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day (Everyone)
Free Admission for San Francisco Residents (Every day w/ valid ID)
One of the most diverse gardens in the world. A unique urban oasis, the garden is a living museum within Golden Gate Park, offering 55 acres of both landscaped gardens and open spaces, and showcasing over 9,000 different kinds of plants from around the world. The SF Botanical Garden is free any day for San Francisco residents (and veterans) with valid ID.
– 1199 9th Ave, San Francisco – Golden Gate Park
– confirmed 1/2/25

2025 Free Dates
January 14, 2025
February 11, 2025
March 11, 2025
April 8, 2025
May 13, 2025
June 10, 2025
July 8, 2025
August 12, 2025
September 9, 2025
October 14, 2025
November 11, 2025
Thursday, November 27, 2025 – Thanksgiving
December 9, 2025
Thursday, December 25, 2025 – Christmas
Thursday, January 1, 2026 – New Year’s Day

San Francisco Zoo

San Francisco Zoo

FREE Days for SF Residents – Periodically (but not always) on the first or third Wednesday.
Free days are typically on periodic Wednesdays; they are no longer on a regular schedule and may be months apart. Dates often are only announced with one week’s notice or less – sometimes just 24 hours notice. Free days are typically listed on the SF Zoo calendar. Free for San Francisco residents only. Valid ID required.
– Sloat Blvd & Great Highway, San Francisco
– checked 4/6/25
Confirmed Free Dates for 2025:
– January 29, 2025
– February 2, 2025 – Groundhog Day – Free for everyone! (not just SF residents)
– April 2, 2025
– Check calendar for updates

Walt Disney Family Museum

FREE Admission for Walt’s Birthday
The Presidio’s Walt Disney Family Museum typically only has one free day a year – to celebrate Walt Disney’s birthday. The free day is typically on December 5th (Walt’s actual birthday) unless it falls on a day when the museum is closed (Museum hours: Thu–Sun, 10am–5:30pm (last entry at 4:30pm). Then it typically changes to be on December 4th. The date is usually announced and made official in August. Please note that in 2022 there was no Walt’s birthday due to the “Free Museum Weekend” promotion in San Francisco, but there wasn’t a celebration for Walt’s birthday in 2023 or 2024 either. We hope it returns for December 2025.
– 105 Montgomery Street, The Presidio, San Francisco
– updated 1/1/25

– Tentative Free Date: December 5, 2025* (not yet confirmed )

How to Get Free Admission to the Walt Disney Family Museum

The Walt Disney Family Museum offers several programs for free or reduced admission, making it accessible to a wide range of visitors. Below are the key ways to enjoy free general admission, with eligibility details for each option:

• San Francisco Museums for All Program
  • Free admission for San Francisco residents receiving Medi-Cal or food assistance.
  • Includes the ticket holder and up to three guests.
  • Proof required (e.g., Medi-Cal card).
• Military Personnel
  • Year-round free admission for active, retired, and veteran US military personnel, their spouses, and dependents.
  • Valid military ID required.
  • Participates in the Blue Star Museums program, which offers free admission for active-duty military and up to five guests between Armed Forces Day and Labor Day.
• Caregivers of Visitors with Disabilities
  • Free admission or film ticket for the primary caregiver of a person with a disability.

For more details, call 415-345-6843 or email tickets@wdfmuseum.org.

GLBT Historical Society Museum

FREE First Wednesday
The GLBT Historical Society Museum, located in the heart of San Francisco’s Castro District, is the first full-scale, stand-alone museum of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender history and culture in the United States. The GLBT Historical Society Museum is free to all visitors on the first Wednesday of every month. Tickets are not available online on free days; all visitors will be welcomed to the museum as long as there is capacity on a first-come, first-served basis.
– 4127 18th Street, San Francisco – The Castro
– confirmed 4/7/25

2025 Free Dates

• May 7, 2025
• June 4, 2025
• July 2, 2025
• August 6, 2025
• September 3, 2025
• October 1, 2025
• November 5, 2025
• December 3, 2025

Exploratorium

The Exploratorium

FREE Admission on Mother’s Day
The Exploratorium at Pier 15 is a museum of science, art and human perception with hundreds of interactive exhibits, many geared towards children and families. Typically there is only one “pay what you wish” day a year –  Mother’s Day. Pay what you wish on Community Days, when museum entry is on a first-come, first-served basis. Entry is subject to capacity; admission is not guaranteed.
– Pier 15, San Francisco
– checked 4/7/25

Next Free “Pay What you Wish” Community Day: Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, 2025 – Confirmed for 2025!

Día de las Madres | Mother’s Day 2025
Sunday, May 11, 2025 • 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
All mothers—and especially mamás latinas—are invited to celebrate this special holiday with their families at the Exploratorium. To honor this day, we offer bilingual programming for moms y toda la familia. Pay what you wish for a day of fun at the Exploratorium! Please note: Pay what you wish on Community Days, when museum entry is on a first-come, first-served basis. Entry is subject to capacity; admission is not guaranteed. Daytime Member & Donor Hours (Sundays, 10:00 a.m.–noon) will not be available this day.

Check the upcoming calendar for updates

California Academy of Sciences. © 2008 Tim Griffith

California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences typically has a discounted “Academy Day’ annually on April 4th.

Academy Day – Pay What you Can Day – Thursday, April 4, 2025 – A rare “pay what you can day” on April 4, 2025 with tickets starting at just $5 along with science fair and giveaways. Reserve timed tickets in advance

• San Francisco Free Neighborhood Days for SF residents only –  Suspended in 2020 and no upcoming dates scheduled yet. 
• EBT/CalFresh/WIC/Lifeline Pass/Medi-Cal Benefit: As part of the Museums for All cooperative, the Academy offers discounted $5 Daytime Admission and NightLife (21+) tickets and $49 Family memberships to EBT/CalFresh, WIC, Lifeline Pass, and Medi-Cal cardholders every day of the year. Museums for All tickets and Family memberships are not available online and must be purchased at the Academy ticket window. Limit 4 (2 for NightLife) per group per visit.
• Discover & Go: Library cardholders 14 and older can check out passes good for free Academy admission at participating libraries from San Francisco to Sacramento. Select your library system and log in, or contact your local branch for details
• Sustainable transportation discount: Get $3 off Daytime Admission when you walk, bike, or take public transit to the Academy. View our Getting Here page to plan your trip. Only available at ticket window.
• Military discount: All active-duty military personnel receive $3 off Daytime Admission year-round, and all veteran, retired, and active-duty military personnel enjoy free Daytime Admission every Veterans Day and during Fleet Week. Must provide valid military ID or proof of service (e.g., VA card or DD-214). Only available at ticket window; does not apply to family, friends, or dependents.
• NightLife (21+): Experience the nocturnal side of the Academy for about half the price of a Daytime Admission ticket. 
• Free for 2 and under: All children age 2 and under enjoy free Daytime Admission to the Academy, everyday.

– 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
– confirmed 4/7/25

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

FREE Wednesdays & Second Sundays
Multidisciplinary art center features exhibitions, performances, film/video and rotating art exhibits with a focus on contemporary and emerging artists from the Bay Area and beyond. Entry to YBCA Galleries is free on Wednesdays and second Sundays. Otherwise, general admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students/seniors and free for Youth, Military and Museums for all
– 3rd and Mission, San Francisco – BART: Powell Street
– confirmed 4/7/25

2025 Free Dates

Every Wednesday

Plus

Every Second Sunday

• Sunday, April 13, 2025
• Sunday, May 11, 2025
• Sunday, June 8, 2025
• Sunday, July 13, 2025
• Sunday, August 10, 2025
• Sunday, September 14, 2025
• Sunday, October 12, 2025
• Sunday, November 9, 2025
• Sunday, December 14, 2025

Bay Area Discovery Museum

FREE First Wednesdays only Twice a year
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a one-of-a-kind indoor and outdoor children’s museum at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Admission is free for Bay Area residents on the first Wednesday of the month only twice a year.

Confirmed 2025 Free First Wednesdays

• Wednesday, March 5, 2025
• Second 2025 Date – TBD

Discover & Go

Valid almost anytime for SF Public Library cardholders – last updated 12/26/22
The San Francisco Public Library offers free museum admission and deals for through its “Discover & Go” program – You have to have an active library card to participate. You just have to reserve the pass (passes are limited – weekends tend to book up early – and not all museums are available on all days). The lineup and the offers can change, so please log in for the latest details. Other Bay Area county libraries also participate in the “Discover & Go” program with free or discounted tickets for many Bay Area museums and venues. Check with your local library for participation details. Similar restrictions apply.

Discover & Go FAQ

• You must be a resident of SF
• You can have up to two active reservations at the same time
• You can make reservations up to 3 months in advance.
• Some venues allow you to use the pass only once per calendar year.
• Read more in the FAQ

Please note that venues listed with an * are extremely popular and rarely have tickets available.

Here’s the highlights:

• Asian Art Museum – Family Pass – Free admission for up to two adults accompanied by up to all children under 12.
• Bay Area Discovery Museum* (Sausalito) – Passes rarely available
• The Beat Museum – Free admission for 1 person
• Bedford Gallery (Walnut Creek) – Free admission for 2 people.
• California Academy of Sciences – Free admission for 1 adult and 1 youth (ages 17 and under).
• California Historical Society – General Pass – Free admission for 2 adults. Children under 18 are free.
• Cartoon Art Museum – Free admission for 1 adult and 2 children (ages 6-12). Children 5 and younger are free.
• Charles M. Schulz Museum (Santa Rosa) – Free admission for 1 child between the ages of 4-18 (children under 4 are free).
• Children’s Creativity Museum* – Passes rarely available
• Children’s Museum of Sonoma County (Santa Rosa) – New passes available monthly.
• Contemporary Jewish Museum – Family Pass – Free admission for 2 adults and all children under 18
• Crocker Art Museum (Sacramento) – Free admission for up to 4 people. Children 5 and under are always free.
• CuriOdyssey (San Mateo) – Free admission for 1 child when accompanied by 1 paying adult.
• Dana Adobe Cultural Center (San Luis Obispo) – 50% off child’s admission. Pass is good for the museum and for access to the gallery. (Tours are available on Saturday and Sunday from 11-3 and during the week by appointment only.)
• de Young – Free admission for 1 person. Good towards general admission ticket only. General admission tickets allow you to see the permanent collection and select exhibitions in the museum. Special exhibitions require an additional paid ticket.
• di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art (Napa) – Admission provides self-guided access to Gallery 1 and Gallery 2 for two adults (17 & under are free), and includes the option to join a guided tour at no additional cost (space permitting)
• Exploratorium* – Free admission for 2 people. Not valid for Thursday After Dark events, 6-10:00 p.m.. These are rare and, when they are available, they book up early.
• Hidden Villa (Los Altos Hills) – New passes available monthly.
• Legion of Honor – Free admission for 1 person. Good towards general admission ticket only.
• Lindsay Wildlife Experience (Walnut Creek) – Family Pass – New passes available monthly.
• Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (Novato) – Free admission for up to 4 people per pass for the Main Gallery. (Children 12 and under are always free. The Second Floor Gallery and Ron Collins Gallery are always free.)
• NUMU – New Museum Los Gatos – Free admission for 1 person. Admission is free for youth 18 & under. Valid only for general museum admission. Not valid for programs or special events,
• Oakland Museum of California (Oakland) – Family Pass: Each pass admits 1 adult and 2 youths for all galleries including any special exhibitions. (Children 12 and under are always free.) Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Pacific Coast Air Museum (Santa Rosa) – Children’s Pass: Free admission for 1 child (age 6-17). Children 5 and under are free. Child must be in the company of an adult. $2.00 discount off for a single adult admission. Limit one pass per household per visit.
• Pacific Pinball Museum (Alameda) – Family Pass – Free admission for 1 adult (ages 12 and up) and 1 child (under 12).
• Peralta Hacienda Historical Park (Oakland) – Family Pass – Free admission for 2 adults and 2 children. Children 10 and under are free.
• Richmond Museum of History (Richmond) – Family Pass – Free admission for 2 people. Children 12 and under are free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• The Ruth Bancroft Garden (Walnut Creek) – Family Pass – Free admission for 2 people (children 12 and under are always free). One pass per household. Pass is good Tues.-Fri. only.
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art – Free admission for 2 adults and all children 18 and under. Good towards general admission ticket only.
• San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles – Free admission for 2 adult. Children 17 and under are free.
• San Mateo County History Museum (Redwood City) – Family Pass – Free admission for 2 adults and 2 children. Children 5 & under are free.
• Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History – Free admission for 2 adults and up to 4 kids from the same household. (Children under 5 are always free.)
• Seymour Marine Discovery Center (Santa Cruz) – Family Pass – Free admission for 1 adult and 1 child (3-17 years old). For use during regular hours only. May not be used for special after-hours events.
• Shadelands Ranch – Walnut Creek Historical Society – Family Pass – Pass is good for museum tours for up to 5 people (at least one adult must be present).
• The Tech Interactive* (San Jose) – New passes available monthly
• UC Botanical Garden (Berkeley) – Family Pass – Free admission for 1 adult (18+) and 1 child (ages 7-12). Children under 6 and under are always free
• UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (Berkeley) – Family Pass – Free BAMPFA gallery admission for up to two people. (Visitors 18 or under are always free. One accompanying adult is free with each child 13 and under.) Good for gallery admission only – does not include films at the Barbro Osher Theater, or separately ticketed events.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum (Vallejo) – Family Pass – Free admission for 5 people in one family (children under 12 are always free).

Other Free & Pay-What-You-Can Days

• Cartoon Art Museum (Fisherman’s Wharf) – First Tuesdays “Pay What You Can” Day – confirmed 1/25/24
• Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History (Santa Cruz) – First Fridays w/ special hours 11a-8p – confirmed 12/6/22
• Berkeley Botanical Garden – First Wednesday of each month – confirmed 2/20/2020
• Chabot Space & Science Center Observatory Deck – Most Friday & Saturday nights (7:30 – 10:30 pm) – Although this doesn’t include general admission to the museum, on most Friday and Saturday nights, it’s free to visit the observatory deck and see the telescopes in action for spectacular night sky viewing (weather permitting) – confirmed 2/20/2020
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit (SoMa) – This historic courthouse from 1905, a National Historic Landmark, offers free docent-led public tours a few Tuesdays a month at 1 pm whenever court isn’t in session – confirmed 2/20/2020
• Autodesk Gallery (Embarcadero) – The Autodesk Gallery is currently not open to the general public. – confirmed 1/25/2024

Free Museums (Always Free)

• Museum of the Eye (Fisherman’s Wharf) – Free admission every day (Wed-Sat)  – confirmed 4/27/2023
• SF Camerawork (SoMa) – Free admission every day (Wed-Sat) – confirmed 2/20/2020
• San Francisco Railway Museum (Ferry Plaza, 77 Stewart St.) – Free admission everyday (Tue-Sun) – confirmed 2/20/2020
• Cable Car Museum (Nob Hill, Mason and Washington) – Free admission every day except New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas – confirmed 2/20/2020
• Wells Fargo History Museum (Financial District, 420 Montgomery St.) Free everyday (Mon-Fri, 9 am to 5 pm) – confirmed 2/20/2020
• San Francisco Fire Department Museum (Western Addition, Presidio Ave at Pine). Free everyday (Thu-Sun, 1-4 pm) – confirmed 2/20/2020
• The Mexican Museum (Fort Mason) Free every day (Thu-Sun, 12-4 pm) – (Museum is permanently closed; new space TBA) – confirmed 2/20/2020
• Musee Mechanique (Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf) – One of the world’s largest (over 200) privately owned collections of coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade machines in their original working condition. Prices range from 1¢ (it’s true) to $1. Most games cost 25¢ to 50¢. Free admission every day – 365 days a year,  10 am-8 pm – confirmed 2/20/2020
• Good Vibrations Antique Vibrator Museum (Polk Gulch)  – Free and open during regular business hours (typically 10 am to 9 pm, daily) – Free guided docent tours every 3rd Sunday at 3 pm – confirmed 2/20/2020
• Toilet Seat Museum (Hayes Valley, Fell & Gough) – Weird collection at Isotope Comic Book Lounge of original artwork on toilet seats by comic writers and artists from all over the world – Free admission offered daily during normal business hours (Tue-Fri, 11 am-7 pm; Sat/Sun, 11 am-6 pm) – confirmed 2/20/2020
• Presidio Visitor Center (The Presidio) – Open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day – confirmed 2/20/2020
• Treasure Island Museum (Treasure Island) – Typically open from 8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Please note that construction on Treasure Island and special events can affect opening times. – confirmed 2/20/2020
• Maritime Museum (Aquatic Park) With gorgeous, WPA-era murals. Open 7 days a week from 10 am to 4 pm – confirmed 2/20/2020

No Regular Free Days

• Chinese Historical Society (Chinatown) – No longer has a free monthly day, but now it’s only free through the SF Public Library’s “Discover & Go” program – confirmed 2/20/2020 – Check out the Free “Bruce Lee” Museum Day on July 20, 2024 
• California Historical Society (SoMa) – Closed Mondays, otherwise it’s typically open from 11 am to 5 pm for $10 admission. It’s also free through the SF Public Library’s “Discover & Go” program – confirmed 2/20/2020
• Tenderloin Museum (Tenderloin) – Open Tuesday – Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm for $10 admission – confirmed 2/20/2020
• American Bookbinders Museum (SoMa) – Historic collection of bookbinding equipment that can only be seen by a guided tour. Tours are conducted daily, Tuesday through Saturday, at 11 am and 2 pm for $15 (adult admission) – confirmed 2/20/2020
• Museo Italo Americano (Fort Mason) Sadly no longer offers free days. $10 admission and free for under 18 (Tue-Fri, 12-4 pm, Sat-Sun, 10a-4p) – confirmed 5/31/23