Exploratorium - Amazing Family Science

Exploratorium San Francisco

The Exploratorium is now located at Pier 15 in a beautiful new facility, opened in 2013.

If you find yourself in San Francisco, particularly if you have children with you, take an afternoon to see the Exploratorium. An interactive science museum that’s geared toward making science fun and approachable, it’s an attraction you don’t want to miss.

The idea behind the Exploratorium is pretty simple: they strive to combine art and science in a way that is engaging, interesting, and easy to understand. The brainchild of Frank Oppenheimer, the museum was his reaction to a basic lack of understanding about science in the general public. The museum seems designed with children in mind, but also to engage the child in those of us who might have grown taller. As their website says, “Geeks of all stripes, welcome to the mothership”.

San Francisco Exploratorium

At $15 for adults, the ticket price is a bargain. Parking can be tricky in any part of San Francisco, so plan ahead or take public transit. One option for your travel to the museum would be to hop on the cable car for a ride from downtown to the bay. From Aquatic Park (the end of the line for the cable car) it’s a short cab ride over to the Exploratorium. When you get off the cable car, you’ll find yourself at the world famous Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can browse the souvenir shops and get a steaming bowl of clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. A short walk up the hill is Ghiradelli Square, if you’re craving a hot-fudge sundae before you head over to the museum.

San Francisco Exploratorium Museum

The museum regularly changes exhibits and has had everything from a journey to Mars with the Mars Rover, to sports and kitchen science to their International Pi Day, celebrating the irrational number Pi. If you are looking for a fun and definitely educational experience for your kids, the Exploratorium is a must. It has been so successful, and is such a local favorite, that they’ve decided to move to a much larger and more accessible downtown space in 2012.

If you’re looking for a deal on admission, the Exploratorium is part of the San Francisco City Pass program, which gives you a discount on a package that includes six different attractions across the city. There are also printable coupons for $1 off child and $2 off adult admissions available online. If you can make it to the museum on the first Wednesday of every month, admission is free to everyone!

Exploratorium Exhibits

The Exploratorium is located at Pier 15 on the Embarcadero.

All photography courtesy of the Exploratorium official website for full details on visiting.