Last Updated on April 7, 2024 by Usama
Situated in San Francisco, California, the Exploratorium is a science, technology, and art museum famous for its innovative hands-on exhibits. The museum houses over 650 interactive exhibits developed by artists, staff scientists, and exhibit developers. Our Exploratorium parking guide will help you find the best parking spots in the area, compare prices, or look for cheaper alternatives. If you’re looking to forgo parking entirely, we also included tips on using San Francisco’s public transit.
The Exploratorium is located at the following address: Pier 15 Embarcadero @ Green St, San Francisco, CA 94111.
Exploratorium Tickets & Hours
The Exploratorium offers two types of tickets: Daytime Tickets (for all ages) and After Dark Thursday Night Tickets (18+). Visits to the Tactile Dome require a separate ticket varying from $8 to $15 in addition to museum admission. Free admission is offered to children ages 3 and below, specific cardholders, and members of various programs. Memberships are also available for those looking to save and enjoy multiple benefits, including unlimited free admission.
Daytime Tickets
If you’re a first-time visitor, we recommend that you arrive early as you may be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things to do. Tickets are only available on your selected dates and are non-transferable. Tickets may be purchased at the Exploratorium website. Here are the rates:
| Visitor | Rate |
| Adults (18–64) | $29.95 |
| Seniors, People with Disabilities, Teachers, Students, and Youth (13–17) | $24.95 |
| Children (4–12) | $19.95 |
After Dark
The Exploratorium After Dark is a weekly event held every Thursday for 18+ only. The program offers adult-only events, cocktails, and access to the museum’s 650-plus exhibits.
| Visitor | Rate |
| General | $19.95 |
| Daytime Members | $14.95 |
| After Dark Members | FREE |
Operating Hours
The Exploratorium is closed to the public every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, except for special hours. Guests can stay in the museum until closing, no matter what time they enter. Here are the museum’s operational hours:
- Wednesday–Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM;
- Thursday After Dark (Ages 18+): 6 PM – 10 PM.
Discounted Parking for the Exploratorium Visitors
The Exploratorium does not have its own parking lot, but it has partnered with SP+ to offer discounted parking to museum visitors. You can use the discount code 4302100 at two nearby lots: the Exploratorium Pier 15 Parking Lot and Pier 19 1/2 Parking Lot. The Exploratorium parking code must be offered to the parking attendant or entered at the ticket kiosk after paying.
Exploratorium Pier 15 Parking Lot
The Exploratorium Pier 15 Parking lot is open 24/7. The entrance is located on Front Street, and the list below offers discounted parking rates.
| Time | Rate |
| October–February | $15 per day |
| March–September (Peak Season) | $15 for 3 hours or $20 per day |
| Evening rate (After 4 PM) | $10 |
Pier 19 ½ Parking Lot
The Pier 19 1/2 Parking Lot is open Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday from 8 AM to 8:30 PM. On Thursday, it operates from 8 AM to 10:15 PM. The entrance is located on the Embarcadero heading north.
| Time | Rate |
| October–February | $15 flat rate |
| March–September (Peak Season) | $15 for 3 hours or $20 per day |
Additional Parking Near the Exploratorium
If you’re looking for parking alternatives, there are several cheap parking near Exploratorium. We listed the best options below with rates valid for a three-hour stay.
| Parking Facility | Rate | Address | Distance |
| 768 Sansome St. Lot | $15 | 768 Sansome St. | 0.5 mi |
| Three Embarcadero Center Garage | $10 | 3 Embarcadero Ctr. | 0.6 mi |
| 528 Jackson Lot | $5 | 100 Columbus Ave. | 0.7 mi |
| 555 Jackson St. Garage | $8 | 555 Jackson St. | 0.7 mi |
Note that prices may change throughout the day and across parking platforms. Some of the facilities listed above may extend the duration of parking at no extra charge when you book through apps like SpotHero.
Where To Find Street Parking Around the Exploratorium
Street parking can be challenging around the Exploratorium, but you’ll find limited metered parking spaces along Embarcadero and several side streets.
In North Embarcadero, metered parking is enforced from 10 AM to 8 PM daily (excluding holidays) with a rate of $2.50 per hour and a maximum of three hours. Always read the meter and pay station display to avoid incurring a parking ticket. Aside from Embarcadero, you’ll find several metered parking spaces along North Beach. Meters here are enforced from 7 or 9 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday, with rates of $0.25 to $6 per hour.
If you come across a vacant parking stall, be sure to read the signs carefully to avoid costly SF parking tickets.
Alternative Transportation Options
It’s easy to get to the Exploratorium via MUNI’s F and E streetcars, or you can ride San Francisco’s bus lines 10 or 12 which stop a few blocks away. Several Golden Gate Transit Bus lines in North Bay arrive at the Transbay Temporary Terminal (a 20-minute walk away). You can also ride the rapid transit system to Embarcadero BART station, a 15-minute walk away from the museum.
The San Francisco Bay Ferry, Golden Gate Ferry, and Blue and Gold Fleet arrive at the San Francisco Ferry Building, a 10- to 15-walk away from the museum.
Find Parking in San Francisco Effortlessly
The Parking Access team works very hard to bring you the latest information about parking at venues, airports, and popular destinations countrywide. In addition to The Exploratorium Parking guide, San Francisco residents and visitors can learn about the parking situation at several locations:
If you’re flying out of San Francisco, read our guide on San Francisco Airport Hotel Park and Fly Offers to know the best hotels in the area that provide free parking and shuttle services. You can also compare prices and reserve parking spaces in our San Francisco Airport Parking guide!