A membership pays for itself in as little as 3 visits, and once you experience the perks of membership, you won’t want to go back!
Gift Membership
With unlimited visits, your loved ones will discover new adventures and enjoy exclusive member perks. Members save $30 on gift memberships through January 31, 2025!
Core Benefits:
- Your own hour to explore from 9 – 10AM
- Bring friends! Take $2 off guest admission tickets
- Early registration for summer camp
- $50 off a Birthday Party
- 10% off at the museum store and Bean Sprouts Café
- Discounted Tickets to Goblin Jamboree: Exclusive member savings on tickets to our annual Halloween fundraiser
- Reciprocal admission to 300+ museums nationwide as part of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
- See the many events your family will be attending as a member on our member events calendar and member storytime calendar.
Family and Family Access Memberships
Family Membership: $209
Family Access Membership(must qualify): $45
Benefits:
- Core Membership Benefits
- Daily Admission for 3 named adults + all the children in the household
- Advanced Summer Camp registration 1 week prior to the public
Family Access Criteria:
- Food Stamps/CalFresh Program/Supplemental — Nutrition Assistance Program
- Free and Reduced School Lunch
- Woman Infants and Children (WIC)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Section 8/Public Housing
- Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP)/Healthy Families
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal
- Low Income Energy Assistance/Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- Kaiser Permanente Cares for Kids (Child Health Plan)
- Licensed Foster Parent
- Active Military and Veterans
- One child enrolled in a Connections Partner School
- Early Head Start or Head Start
- Cal WORKS
- Placement on centralized eligibility list for childcare subsidy
Ways to Join as Family Access Member
Provide proof of eligibility and payment through one of the following methods:
ONLINE: Email your proof of eligibility to membership@badm.org and we will provide you with access to purchase online.
IN PERSON: Visit the museum to apply with your proof of eligibility.
BY MAIL: Send in your proof of eligibility, the application, and a $45 check made out to Bay Area Discovery Museum. You will receive an online confirmation once your membership is processed.
Download the application in English, Spanish, or Chinese. Please do not send cash in the mail.
Mail to:
Attn: Membership Access Program, Bay Area Discovery Museum
557 McReynolds Road
Sausalito, CA 94965
You will receive an email with directions to access your electronic membership card once payment is received.
Supporting Membership
Supporting: $309
- Core Membership Benefits
- Daily Admission 5 named adults + all the children in the household
- Advanced Summer Camp registration 2 weeks prior to the general public
- 4 one-time use guest passes
- ACM Reciprocal Discount
Donor Circle Membership
Donor Circle Memberships Start at $1000
- Core Membership Benefits
- Daily admission for everyone in your household + up to 6 guests
- Advanced Summer Camp Registration 3 weeks prior to the general public
- Unlimited Caregiver Changes
- 6 Family Guest Passes
- ACM Reciprocal Discount
- Exclusive Donor Circle Family Events
- Personal point of contact at the museum dedicated to your experience
Renew Your Membership
Renew your membership for another year of discovery and joyful play! Choose your membership level and enter the same name and contact information from your previous membership. Save 10% (and save some trees) when you sign up for auto-renew!
FAQ
I purchased my membership. How do I access my membership cards?
Bay Area Discovery Museum membership cards are digital and can be accessed right away from your phone. Directions on how to download the eMembership Card app and access your membership cards can be found here.
Your membership id, which is required to access your membership card, is emailed 24 hours after you become a member.
If I pay for admission to the Bay Area Discovery Museum, can I apply the cost of admission towards a membership?
Yes! Apply your ticket purchase towards a membership within one week. Simply save your admission receipt or have your order number ready and we will apply only the number of children and adults covered by the membership level you choose. Call membership at 415-339-3995 or visit the museum to complete your purchase.
Who can receive free admission using my membership?
All memberships are designed for your household. Friends living in two different households are not permitted to share a membership.
A caregiver/nanny who may bring your children to the museum in your absence may be a named adult on your membership. You can list them when signing up or call or email to list your caregiver on your membership. Once they have been added, simply ask your caregiver to download the eMembership card on their phone or present a picture ID.
Family & Family Access – Up to 3 named adults may visit at a time for free daily admission with all the children in your household. The level does not include guest admission, such as un-named adults and children who are not in your household.
Supporting – Name up to 5 adults for free daily admission with all the children in your household. Also enjoy 4 one-time-use guest passes for guests outside of your household. This level is recommended for grandparents or families with multiple caregivers.
Interested in more flexibility and impact? Become a Discovery Circle member!
Where do members check-in?
All members must check-in with a staff member before entering the museum. Present your membership card OR your photo ID each time you visit for entry.
Can I visit other museums for free with my membership? ASTC & ACM Reciprocal Programs
Members at all levels receive free admission to 300 global science centers through the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). The ASTC reciprocal program offers Bay Area Discovery Museum members free general admission to institutions located outside of a 90-mile radius of Bay Area Discovery Museum and their residence. Next time you travel outside of the Bay Area, visit the ASTC website to view the current list of participating museums.
Members at the Supporting Level and higher also receive discounted admission to more than 180 children’s museums nationwide through the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM). To receive the ACM discount, show your electronic membership card at any participating children’s museum to receive 50-percent off general admission for up to six guests. For the most current list of participating museums, visit the Association of Children’s Museums website.
What happens if I didn’t receive instructions to download my electronic membership card or don’t think it is updating properly?
Directions to download the eMembership Card app and to get access to your membership cards can be found here.
You may need to redownload or refresh the app periodically after updates to your membership.
You can also enter the museum without your membership card by presenting a photo ID to a front desk staff member when you arrive so that we can look up your record.
How do automatic renewals work?
Simplify membership by signing up for automatic renewal at any time. Opt-in when renewing online or by calling 415-339-3936 or emailing membership@badm.org. Your credit card will be charged on the last day of your membership and it will automatically be renewed for an additional year.
Signing up for automatic renewal saves 10% off your first year of membership. Simply check the box to sign up for automatic renewal and enter promo code Auto10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first year.
How long is my membership active for?
All memberships are active from the date of purchase and will expire one year (or two if a two-year membership was purchased) from the end of the month of purchase, unless signed up for automatic renewal.
Is my membership tax deductible?
Membership is tax deductible as allowable by law. Please consult your professional tax advisor for advice on individual deductions. The EIN for the Bay Area Discovery Museum is 68-0033227
I’m a teacher, do I get a discount on membership?
We love educators! To show our appreciation, we offer teachers a 20% discount on our Family and Supporting Membership levels.
To receive the discount, please provide your current work ID badge or business card before purchasing a membership in person or by emailing membership@badm.org.
I’m employed by a Bay Area Discovery Museum Corporate Partner, do I get a discount on membership?
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is lucky to have wonderful corporate partners! Employees of our participating corporate partners receive a 20% discount on the Supporting Family Membership level.
To receive the discount, please show your current work ID badge or business card before purchasing a membership in person or by emailing membership@badm.org.
What is the Membership Agreement?
I understand that my membership benefits are only intended for those who live in my household. My membership cards are not transferable to others under any circumstances.
I understand that my membership is non-refundable.
I understand my membership is not valid for Family Fundraisers like Goblin Jamboree, field trips, or when I am a guest of a birthday party.
I understand that I must abide by all site policies when visiting the museum.
I understand that the museum closes for it’s annual fall maintenance and staff development for two weeks in September.