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All of San Francisco's major museums offer special days, usually once a month, when admission is free or discounted. Most of the free days cluster around the first week of the month, especially the first Wednesday. Some of the museums also offer extended evening hours on their free days. Here's a list, organized by day of the week so you can mark your calendar:
**** Special days once a month ****
FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH:
Free 1st Monday: Jewish Museum. Steuart Street between Mission and Howard. See also Thursday free evenings, below.
(Regular hours and prices: Sun to Wed 11-5, Th 11-8 $ 5 adults, $ 3 students w/id and seniors 62+, free kids under 12)
FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH:
Free 1st Tuesday: SF MOMA (Museum of Modern Art). Third Street between Mission and Howard. See also Thursday half-price evenings, below.
(Regular hours and prices: 11-5:45 Fri to Tues; 11-8:45 Thurs. $ 9 adults, $ 6 seniors $ 5 students w/id, kids under 12 free when with an adult.)
FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH:
Free 1st Wednesday: Asian Art Museum and M.H. deYoung Museum, Golden Gate Park. Extended hours on free day: Open until 8:45 PM.
(Regular hours and prices -- admission price gives entry to both museums: 9:30 - 5 Tues to Sun. $ 7 adults, $ 6 seniors 65+ $ 4 kids 12-17, kids under 12 free.)
Free 1st Wednesday: California Academy of Sciences (Natural History Museum and Aquarium), Golden Gate Park. (Planetarium show is an extra charge). Extended hours on free day: Open until 8:45 PM. Free days are often busy, especially during the summer, so admission may be time-ticketed.
(Regular hours and prices: 9-6 from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10-5 the rest of the year. For admission to Natural History Museum and Aquarium: $ 8.50 adults, $5.50 12-17, students w/id and seniors 65+, $2.00 kids 4-11; kids under 4 free. Planetarium show an additional $2.50 adults, $1.25 6-17 and 65+)
Free 1st Wednesday: Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon. Open till 9 PM.
(Regular hours and prices: Summer (Memorial Day to Labor day) 10-6 Thurs to Tues; 10-9 Wed. Rest of year Wed 10-9, Tues and Thurs to Sunday 10-5. $ 9 adults, $ 7 students over 18 w/id, seniors 65+, $ 5 people w/disabilities, youth 6-17; $ 2.50 children 3-5; free children under 3. Unaccompanied youth are also free.)
SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
Free 2nd Wednesday: California Palace of the Legion of Honor, Lincoln Park, 34th and Clement.
(Regular hours and prices: Tues - Sun 9:30 - 5. $ 8 adults, $ 6 seniors, $ 5 ages 12-17, free under 12.)
FIRST THURSDAY EVENING OF THE MONTH
Free 1st Thursday from 5-8 pm only: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Yerba Buena Gardens (Mission between 3rd and 4th).
(Students and seniors are also admitted free every Thursday, all day)
(Regular hours and prices: Tues, Wed, Sat, and Sun: 11-6. Th, Fri 11-8. $ 6 adults, $ 3 students and seniors.)
SECOND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH
Free 2nd Sunday: The Oakland Museum is worth a trip across the Bay. 1000 Oak Street, Oakland.
(Regular hours and admission: Tues - Thurs and Sat 10-5, Friday 10-9, Sunday 12-5. $ 6 adults, $ 4 seniors 65+, $ 4 students, under 6 free. May be more for special exhibits.)
**** Special evenings once a week ****
EVERY THURSDAY EVENING
Half-Price: SF MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) from 6-9 PM only every Thursday evening. See also "First Tuesday" above for a free day and more information.
Free: Jewish Museum from 6-8 PM only every Thursday. See also "First Monday" above for another free day and more information.
**** Other deals ****
Some museums offer reduced admission if you show a Muni transfer or Fast Pass. The Legion of Honor and the deYoung will give $ 2 off; the California Academy of Sciences (Natural History Museum, Aquarium, and Planetarium) gives $ 1 off regular adult admission
Memberships: If you are a very frequent museum goer, consider joining your favorite museum. You will get free admission and, usually, a discount at the gift store.
Free days for San Francisco residents at the California Academy of Sciences (Natural History Museum and Aquarium). These are in addition to the free 1st Wednesday of the month listed above. Different days are set aside for residents of different neighborhoods. Call the museum or check their website for details.
City Pass. This can be a good deal for visitors. Cost is $33.25 for adults, $26.25 for seniors 65+, $24.25 for youth 12-17. It gives you 50% off the admission price at the deYoung, Exploratorium, Legion of Honor, Museum of Modern Art, and the Academy of Sciences, as well as giving you seven (consecutive) days of free rides on Muni, including the cable cars, and a discount on a Bay Cruise.
Note: Museum times, prices, and, in a few cases, locations are subject to change. Check with the museums directly for more information.
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