Exploratorium

• Discover luminous artworks that dazzle and delight during GLOW, Exploratorium's annual winter exhibition illuminating Pier 15. The iconic experience, included with admission, takes place Nov. 20, 2025 through Jan. 25, 2026, from 10am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday, Noon-5pm Sunday, and 6-10pm during the weekly After Dark event (ages 18+) on Thursday.
• Investigate forces shaping the City, Bay, and region in the spacious Outdoor Gallery 5. Walk on a fog bridge, watch shifting winds and tides, reveal hidden life, observe human behavior, and find new ways to notice the places we inhabit.
• Explore the Osher Gallery 1, where you and others are the exhibits — play with social interactions, observe others and contribute your reflections. Humans think, feel and interact, and these phenomena are all open to scientific investigation and creative exploration.
• Experiment with light, mind-bending mirrors, bubbles, and more in the expansive Bechtel Gallery 3.
• Examine life at different scales—from tiny microbes to the interconnected ecosystems of the Bay—in the Moore Gallery 4.
• Investigate mechanical contraptions and explore your creativity with the Tinkering Studio.
• Enjoy breathtaking views of the City and Bay as you investigate the geography, history, and ecology of the region in the spectacular glass-and-steel Bay Observatory.
• Don't miss the beating heart of the Exploratorium, the Exploratorium exhibit shop—it's open to the museum, so you can see what we're up to. Get a closer look at the place where our exhibits are dreamed up, prototyped, tested, fiddled with, tested some more, and eventually built and maintained, and see what it's like to work a day in the shop.

Tips

• Adults (18+), don't miss the Exploratorium After Dark every Thursday from 6-10 p.m. Unplug and play with 700+ interactive exhibits exploring science, art and perception. Encounter the unexpected with programming that invites you into the worlds of the thinkers and creators changing our communities. Get inquisitive, grab a drink, and let the DJ set the vibe. CityPASS guests can choose this event instead of General Admission.
• To get the full experience, allow about three to four hours for your visit. If you're short on time, don't miss Gallery 3, exploring light and sound. The exhibits in this space are mesmerizing and fun!
• Learn more on the CityPASS Blog about what you'll experience at Exploratorium.

Amenities

• Dining: Seismic Joint Café, Seaglass Restaurant
• Gift Shops: The Exploratorium Stores

Best Time to Visit

• Crowds tend to be lighter on weekday afternoons and Thursday evenings (18+).

Accessibility

• Exhibition spaces, stores, café, restaurant and all public restrooms wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs available for no charge. Service animals welcome. Get more information on accessibility.

Parking/Transportation

• Get information on parking, transportation and directions.

Reservations Not Required.

Once you purchase your tickets, be sure to use our My CityPASS®️ app to plan your attraction visits and make reservations (if required). Go to my.citypass.com to download the app for iPhone or Android or to use our browser-based web app. You’ll find all of the information you need to reserve your times, plus attraction details such as hours and location, special offers, maps and more. We recommend making reservations as soon as possible for the best availability. To learn more before purchasing, click the link below.

See reservation and planning information.: San Francisco CityPASS, San Francisco C3 or San Francisco CityPASS + Alcatraz