de Young Museum Free Admission Day | First Tuesdays

Located in beautiful Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum is a landmark art museum founded in 1895. Your visit includes a whirlwind trip around the world as the museum’s collections feature priceless treasures and works of arts from the 17th through the 20th centuries from the Americas, textile arts, and art of Africa and Oceania.

Free Admission Day: de Young
First Tuesday of the month

On the first Tuesday of every month, admission to the permanent galleries is free (special exhibition fees still apply).

Free Things to See at the de Young

Even if you don’t attend on a free day, make sure to head up to the gorgeous glass-walled Hamon Observation Tower which offers stunning 360-degree panoramic views of downtown San Francisco, Golden Gate Park, the Bay, and the Marin headlands.

Also, stroll through the whimsical Barbro Osher Sculpture Garden to see modern works and James Turrel’s site-specific sculpture Skyspace.

Access to both the Observation Tower and the Sculpture Garden are free to the public. Please note, the Tower Observation Level closes one hour before the museum closes.

Other de Young Free & Discount Admission Programs

Free Saturdays for Bay Area Residents

Reserve Online and Skip the Line

Every Saturday the de Young offers free general admission to all residents of the nine Bay Area counties. Saturdays feature engaging art experiences for the entire family, including art making, gallery guides, and tours with discussion and sketching in the permanent galleries.

• This offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries.
• Reserve your tickets in advance online. Please be prepared to verify with ID onsite.
• Free admission may be redeemed onsite with a driver’s license or postmarked envelope.
• Visitors ages 17 and under always receive free admission to the permanent collection galleries.
• Qualifying counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma

Free Admission For Those is Disabilities

General Admission to the de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor is complimentary for people who have disabilities, and each person may bring one guest.

• Visit our full list of Accessibility Programs for more information.
• Free general admission may be redeemed by showing valid ID at the Ticketing and Membership Desks, or by contacting access@famsf.org.
• Discounted special exhibition tickets can be redeemed by showing a valid ID, Medicare card, doctors’ note, or Reduced Fare Transit Card at the Ticketing and Membership Desks, or by contacting access@famsf.org.

Museums for All

All visitors receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) are offered free general admission.

• This offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries.
• Full-priced admission to special exhibitions still applies.
• Free admission may be redeemed by presenting a valid EBT card at the Ticketing and Membership Desks.

Discover & Go – Free Admission via Libraries

Discover & Go offers free general admission for California library cardholders.

• This offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries.
• Full-priced admission to special exhibitions still applies.
• Free admission may be redeemed by presenting a Discover & Go voucher at the Ticketing and Membership Desks. Register online to receive a dated Discover & Go voucher prior to visiting.

Bank of America “Museums on Us”

During Museums on Us weekends—the first full weekend of every month—Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, or U. S. Trust cardholders receive complimentary general admission. Tickets are available onsite, day-of only, and are subject to availability; arrive early for best availability.

• This offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries.
• Full-priced admission to special exhibitions still applies.
• Offer available for account holder or cardholder only.
• Visitors ages 17 and under always receive free admission to the permanent collection galleries.
• Free admission may be redeemed by presenting a Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, or U.S. Trust credit or debit card, or Bank of America bank statement and photo ID.

Sotheby’s Preferred

Tickets through the Sotheby’s Preferred program will be available onsite, day-of only, and are subject to availability; arrive early for best availability.

• This offer applies to both the permanent collection and special exhibition galleries.
• Offer available for cardholder and up to three guests.
• Free admission may be redeemed by presenting a Sotheby’s Preferred membership card and photo ID.

Muni/BART Public Transportation Discount

Receive a $2 discount with proof of purchase from any Bay Area public transportation system, including BART, Muni, Caltrain, and more. This discount is available in person at the time of purchase only, does not apply to internet sales or previously purchased tickets, and cannot be combined with other offers.

• This offer applies to general admission for permanent collection galleries and to special exhibitions.
• Discount may be redeemed by presenting a proof of purchase from any Bay Area public transportation system.

– Updated 4/1/24 – Event info last checked via famsf.org