Restrooms are located throughout the campus and, for your convenience, there are changing tables in every bathroom. Family restrooms and nursing nooks are located in both Bay Hall and Tot Spot.

No runaway strollers, just runaway imaginations here! To keep your family and others safe, we’ve designated stroller parking areas throughout the museum. Please park your stroller in these areas, which are marked with signs.

Your child’s safety is our top priority! To keep everyone safe and comfortable, we require groups to have one adult for every five children and ask that children be accompanied by an adult at all times. Since this ratio is critical to maintaining an environment where all children are able to play and explore safely, we reserve the right to turn away visitors who do not comply with this requirement.

Looking for a way to make your child’s celebration extra special? Plan a birthday party or special event your child (and their friends) will remember for years to come. With exhibits and activities designed for kids with a wide range of interests and abilities, a party at the museum is a gift that everyone loves. Find out more about hosting a party by visiting our Birthday Party Page.

Discovery requires all the senses — including taste! When you’re ready to take a break from playing, there are plenty of options to help little ones refuel. Enjoy an outdoor picnic in the grass with food brought from home or visit the Bean Sprouts Café.

Bean Sprouts Café offers delicious and nutritious options for kids and adults to enjoy in a delightful, family-friendly environment. The cafe is open from 9:00AM to 3:30 p.m on Wednesday through Sunday.

Free parking is available in the lots next to the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Additional parking is available at the waterfront, by following the road through our main parking lot.

Don’t let the weather get in the way of your visit! Our outdoor exhibits are perfect for rainy-day fun with little ones. Not only will they look adorable in their rain gear, but they’ll enjoy splashing in puddles or whipping up a pie in our Mud Kitchen.

Since the museum is located right on the water under the Golden Gate Bridge, it can get chilly. So be sure to bring warm clothes and extra layers.

It’s easier than ever to navigate the museum. Simply download the museum map to your phone to guide your visit.

If you have an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card, your family is welcome to participate in the Museums for All program, which reduces the price of admission to $3 per person for up to 6 family members per EBT card.

Museums For All tickets must be purchased at the museum. Whenn you arrive, present your EBT card at the admission desk to receive your discount. And check out other museums that participate in Museum for All!

Free First Wednesdays, where admission is free for Bay Area residents* occurs twice a year. The next Free First Wednesday is March 5, 2025.

*Must show proof of residency (photo ID or piece of mail) in one of the nine Bay Area counties.

Books unlock all sorts of adventures — and they also hold the keys to the museum. Many local libraries have Bay Area Discovery Museum membership cards that can be checked out and used to visit, so check with your local library!

Every family belongs at the museum. The price of admission should never keep any one from enjoying the exhibits. Families are welcome to make a donation of any amount to visit the museum. If resources are tight, simply tell the front desk staff that you wish to make a donation and come right in.

If you or a member of your immediate family is active-duty US military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve, check out the Blue Star Museum program. This program offers free admission to the museum to all US active-duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.

If you have an active military ID, we want to thank you for your service. Enjoy free admission year-round for one child and one adult with an active military ID.

We partner with a number of organizations to offer the following discounts. Just show your proof of membership at the front desk upon entry:

• Automobile Association of America (AAA): $1 off per visitor, up to 5 people
• Association of Children’s Museums (ACM): Members of other children’s museums may be available depending on your membership level. Check your membership card for the ACM sticker. Valid members receive 50 percent off general admission to Bay Area Discovery Museum.
• Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC): The ASTC Passport Program gives members free general admission to more than 300 institutions located outside a 90-mile radius of your residence and home museum. Check your membership card for the ASTC logo.
• California Alumni Association (CAA): $1 off per visitor, up to 5 people
• UCSF: $1 off per visitor, up to 5 people

Take your class on a field trip they won’t forget! Learn more about school visits here.

Groups of 20 or Less

You can book tickets for groups of up to 20 people online. We ask that everyone in your group checks in at the same time. We will provide each adult with a map and return sticker in case they need to get something from their car. There must be one adult for every five children in your group. 

Email us at contact@badm.org with any questions

Groups of 20+

For a private event, email events@badm.org

For general admission during regular museum hours, email contact@badm.org.  

If you are with a preschool, elementary school, or child organization please see our Discover-It-Yourself visits.  

Your service dog is welcome as long as it remains on a leash and under your control at all times during your visit.

If you accompany a blind or visually impaired person and act as their interpreter, please be our guest and enter the museum for free.

There’s a lot going on at the museum! We know it can be overstimulating for some kids, so sound-blocking headphones and weighted vests are available at the front desk. If you think using these items will improve your child’s experience, just ask a staff member when you arrive.

Discovery for every body! At the museum, every exhibit, dining area, and restroom can be accessed by a wheelchair. If you need  to borrow a wheelchair, we have one available on a first-come, first-served basis.