Search form

  • visit
    • Buy Tickets
      • Ticket FAQ
      • Free Days & Reduced Rates
        • Teachers
        • Locals
      • Contact Us
    • Calendar
      • Adults/Thursday Nights
      • Arts
      • Cinema Arts
      • Excursions
      • Free
      • Holiday Hours
      • Kids + Families
      • Lab Members
      • Live Webcasts
      • Members
      • Ongoing
    • Directions and Parking
    • Hours
    • Museum Map
    • Restaurant & Café
    • Exploratorium Store
    • Accessibility
    • FAQ
    • Museum Galleries
      • West Gallery: Human Phenomena
        • Exhibition: Science of Sharing
        • Exhibit: Team Snake
        • Exhibit: Making Meaning
        • Exhibit: Sort and Switch
        • TRBQ: The Really Big Questions
        • Tactile Dome
          • 1971 Press Release
        • Curator Statement
      • South Gallery: Tinkering
        • Exhibit: Tinkerer's Clock
        • Exhibit: Your Turn Counts
        • Curator Statement
      • Central Gallery: Seeing and Listening
        • Exhibit: Giant Mirror
        • Exhibit: Monochromatic Room
        • Exhibit: Out Quiet Yourself
        • Curator Statement
      • East Gallery: Living Systems
        • Exhibit: Big Wood
        • Exhibit: Lab Illustrations
        • Exhibit: Plankton Populations
        • Exhibit: Still Life
        • Exhibit: Tidal Memory
        • Curator Statement
      • Bay Observatory Gallery: Observing Landscapes
        • Wired Pier Project
        • Exhibit: Bay Lexicon
        • Exhibit: Visualizing the Bay
        • Curator Statement
      • North Gallery: Outdoor Exhibits
        • Exhibit: Aeolian Harp
        • Exhibit: Bay Windows
        • Exhibit: Fog Bridge
        • Exhibit: Rickshaw Obscura
        • Exhibit: Sun Swarm
        • Curator Statement
    • Arts at the Exploratorium
      • Program Overview
        • Over the Water
        • Artist-in-Residence Program
        • Cinema Arts
          • History and Collection
          • Cinema Artists-in-Residence
          • Ongoing Programs
          • Upcoming Events
          • Kanbar Forum
          • Resources and Collaborating Organizations
        • Black Box
        • Resonance
          • Calendar
          • See & Hear
          • About
        • Soundscapes
      • Works on View
      • Center for Art & Inquiry
        • Begin Here
          • Lesson Plans
            • Bob Miller/Light Walk
            • Ruth Asawa/Milk Carton Sculpture
          • Workshop
      • Upcoming Events
      • Arts Program Staff
    • School Field Trips
      • Plan Your Trip
        • Make a Reservation
        • Bus Routes
      • Resources
        • Before Your Visit
        • During Your Visit
        • After Your Visit
      • Field Trip Explainers
    • Groups
    • Travel Trade / Tour Operators
    • Event Rentals
      • Facility Rental Options
      • Photo Gallery
      • Event Planning Resources
      • Rental Request Form
      • Download Brochure (pdf)
    • Contact Us
  • explore
    • Activities
    • Apps
      • Sound Uncovered
      • Color Uncovered
    • Videos
    • Websites
    • Browse by Topic
      • Arts
      • Astronomy & Space Exploration
      • Chemistry
      • Color
      • Culture
      • Earth, Ocean, & Atmosphere
      • Electricity and Magnetism
      • Energy
      • Engineering and Tinkering
      • Food & Cooking
      • Geology - Materials
      • Heat and Temperature
      • Human Anatomy
      • Language & Speech
      • Life Science
      • Light & Seeing
      • Mathematics
      • Mind
      • Motion & Matter
      • Navigation
      • Optical Illusions
      • Sound & Listening
      • Sport Science
      • Time
      • Water
      • Waves - Resonance
  • education
    • Professional Development Programs
      • Teacher Institute
        • Meet the Teacher Institute Staff
        • Summer Institute for Teachers
        • Beginning Teacher Program
        • Leadership Program
          • Leadership Guides
          • Links and Resources
          • Teacher Tools
          • Teaching Boxes
          • Videos & Podcasts
        • NGSS STEM Education Conferences
          • 3rd Biannual NGSS STEM Conference
            • Fall 2014 Sessions
          • 2nd Biannual NGSS STEM Conference
            • April 2014 Sessions
          • 1st Biannual NGSS STEM Conference
            • November 2013 Sessions
      • Institute for Inquiry
        • Fundamentals of Inquiry Workshop
      • Field Trip Explainer Program
    • Learning About Learning
      • Visitor Research and Evaluation
      • Center for Informal Learning in Schools
        • California Tinkering Afterschool Network
          • About
          • Partners
          • Resources
          • Updates
    • Community Programs
      • High School Explainer Program
      • Xtech
      • Community Educational Engagement
    • Lifelong Learning Programs
      • Summer Camps
      • Homeschool Science
      • Girls Science Institute
      • Excursions
    • Tools for for Teaching & Learning
      • Apps
      • Websites & Videos
      • Digital Library
      • Learning Commons
      • Publications
  • collaborations
    • Our Global Reach
      • Global Studios
        • About
        • Projects
        • People
      • Online Engagement
    • Collaborating with Science Agencies
      • NOAA
      • NASA
    • Collaborating with Educational Institutions
    • Osher Fellows
  • join + give
    • Donate
    • Ways to Get Involved
      • Individual Giving
      • Planned Giving
        • Assets You Can Contribute
        • Gift Planning Ideas
        • Oppenheimer Circle
        • Securities Transfer Info
      • Gift Matching
      • The Exploratorium Lab
      • Spring Gala 2015
      • Science of Cocktails
    • Become a Member
      • General & Contributing Levels
      • Join the Exploratorium Lab
        • Lab Levels & Benefits
        • Lab Leadership
        • Lab Patron Insiders
      • Renew Your Membership
      • Give a Gift Membership
      • Member Events
      • Member Programs
        • Day Camps
        • Girls Science Institute
        • Excursions
        • Homeschool Science Programs
      • Membership FAQ
    • Corporate Engagement
      • Corporate Philanthropy
      • Integrated Partnerships
    • Our Supporters
      • Corporate Supporters
      • Foundation Donors
      • Public Funders
    • Learn More About Us
      • Annual Report
      • Fact Sheet
    • Become a Volunteer
      • Opportunities
      • Benefits
      • How to Apply
      • Our Contract
      • Application for Individuals
      • Application for Corporate Groups
      • Application for School Groups & Clubs
      • Application for Professional Societies
  • store
  • about
    • Our Story
      • History
      • Exhibit Making
      • Explainer Programs
      • Staff Artists
      • Staff Scientists
    • At a Glance
      • Fact Sheet
      • Annual Report
      • Press Office
      • Awards
      • Senior Management
      • Board of Directors
      • Job Opportunities
        • Application Procedures
        • Areas of Employment
        • Employee Benefits
      • Become a Volunteer
      • Contact Info
      • Newsletters
      • Follow & Share
      • FY14 Audit Report
      • Privacy Policy
      • Use Policy
  • press office
    • News Coverage
    • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
    • Photographs
    • Video Footage
    • Press Visits
    • Press List
    • Events Calendar
  • visit
    • Directions and Parking
    • Calendar
    • Museum Galleries
    • Arts at the Exploratorium
    • Buy Tickets
    • Event Rentals
  • explore
    • Activities
    • Apps
    • Blogs
    • Videos
    • Websites
  • education
    • Professional Development Programs
    • Tools for Teaching
    • Community Programs
    • Tools for Learning
    • Learning About Learning
  • collaborations
    • Our Global Reach
    • Collaborating with Science Agencies
    • Collaborating with Educational Institutions
    • Osher Fellows
  • join + give
    • Membership
    • Ways to Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Learn More About Us
  • store
    • Special Collections
    • Gifts
    • Games & Puzzles
    • Science Kits
    • Tinkering & Building
    • Why Shop Here?
Search

Search form

  • visit
    • Buy Tickets
      • Ticket FAQ
      • Free Days & Reduced Rates
        • Teachers
        • Locals
      • Contact Us
    • Calendar
      • Adults/Thursday Nights
      • Arts
      • Cinema Arts
      • Excursions
      • Free
      • Holiday Hours
      • Kids + Families
      • Lab Members
      • Live Webcasts
      • Members
      • Ongoing
    • Directions and Parking
    • Hours
    • Museum Map
    • Restaurant & Café
    • Exploratorium Store
    • Accessibility
    • FAQ
    • Museum Galleries
      • West Gallery: Human Phenomena
        • Exhibition: Science of Sharing
        • Exhibit: Team Snake
        • Exhibit: Making Meaning
        • Exhibit: Sort and Switch
        • TRBQ: The Really Big Questions
        • Tactile Dome
          • 1971 Press Release
        • Curator Statement
      • South Gallery: Tinkering
        • Exhibit: Tinkerer's Clock
        • Exhibit: Your Turn Counts
        • Curator Statement
      • Central Gallery: Seeing and Listening
        • Exhibit: Giant Mirror
        • Exhibit: Monochromatic Room
        • Exhibit: Out Quiet Yourself
        • Curator Statement
      • East Gallery: Living Systems
        • Exhibit: Big Wood
        • Exhibit: Lab Illustrations
        • Exhibit: Plankton Populations
        • Exhibit: Still Life
        • Exhibit: Tidal Memory
        • Curator Statement
      • Bay Observatory Gallery: Observing Landscapes
        • Wired Pier Project
        • Exhibit: Bay Lexicon
        • Exhibit: Visualizing the Bay
        • Curator Statement
      • North Gallery: Outdoor Exhibits
        • Exhibit: Aeolian Harp
        • Exhibit: Bay Windows
        • Exhibit: Fog Bridge
        • Exhibit: Rickshaw Obscura
        • Exhibit: Sun Swarm
        • Curator Statement
    • Arts at the Exploratorium
      • Program Overview
        • Over the Water
        • Artist-in-Residence Program
        • Cinema Arts
          • History and Collection
          • Cinema Artists-in-Residence
          • Ongoing Programs
          • Upcoming Events
          • Kanbar Forum
          • Resources and Collaborating Organizations
        • Black Box
        • Resonance
          • Calendar
          • See & Hear
          • About
        • Soundscapes
      • Works on View
      • Center for Art & Inquiry
        • Begin Here
          • Lesson Plans
            • Bob Miller/Light Walk
            • Ruth Asawa/Milk Carton Sculpture
          • Workshop
      • Upcoming Events
      • Arts Program Staff
    • School Field Trips
      • Plan Your Trip
        • Make a Reservation
        • Bus Routes
      • Resources
        • Before Your Visit
        • During Your Visit
        • After Your Visit
      • Field Trip Explainers
    • Groups
    • Travel Trade / Tour Operators
    • Event Rentals
      • Facility Rental Options
      • Photo Gallery
      • Event Planning Resources
      • Rental Request Form
      • Download Brochure (pdf)
    • Contact Us
  • explore
    • Activities
    • Apps
      • Sound Uncovered
      • Color Uncovered
    • Videos
    • Websites
    • Browse by Topic
      • Arts
      • Astronomy & Space Exploration
      • Chemistry
      • Color
      • Culture
      • Earth, Ocean, & Atmosphere
      • Electricity and Magnetism
      • Energy
      • Engineering and Tinkering
      • Food & Cooking
      • Geology - Materials
      • Heat and Temperature
      • Human Anatomy
      • Language & Speech
      • Life Science
      • Light & Seeing
      • Mathematics
      • Mind
      • Motion & Matter
      • Navigation
      • Optical Illusions
      • Sound & Listening
      • Sport Science
      • Time
      • Water
      • Waves - Resonance
  • education
    • Professional Development Programs
      • Teacher Institute
        • Meet the Teacher Institute Staff
        • Summer Institute for Teachers
        • Beginning Teacher Program
        • Leadership Program
          • Leadership Guides
          • Links and Resources
          • Teacher Tools
          • Teaching Boxes
          • Videos & Podcasts
        • NGSS STEM Education Conferences
          • 3rd Biannual NGSS STEM Conference
            • Fall 2014 Sessions
          • 2nd Biannual NGSS STEM Conference
            • April 2014 Sessions
          • 1st Biannual NGSS STEM Conference
            • November 2013 Sessions
      • Institute for Inquiry
        • Fundamentals of Inquiry Workshop
      • Field Trip Explainer Program
    • Learning About Learning
      • Visitor Research and Evaluation
      • Center for Informal Learning in Schools
        • California Tinkering Afterschool Network
          • About
          • Partners
          • Resources
          • Updates
    • Community Programs
      • High School Explainer Program
      • Xtech
      • Community Educational Engagement
    • Lifelong Learning Programs
      • Summer Camps
      • Homeschool Science
      • Girls Science Institute
      • Excursions
    • Tools for for Teaching & Learning
      • Apps
      • Websites & Videos
      • Digital Library
      • Learning Commons
      • Publications
  • collaborations
    • Our Global Reach
      • Global Studios
        • About
        • Projects
        • People
      • Online Engagement
    • Collaborating with Science Agencies
      • NOAA
      • NASA
    • Collaborating with Educational Institutions
    • Osher Fellows
  • join + give
    • Donate
    • Ways to Get Involved
      • Individual Giving
      • Planned Giving
        • Assets You Can Contribute
        • Gift Planning Ideas
        • Oppenheimer Circle
        • Securities Transfer Info
      • Gift Matching
      • The Exploratorium Lab
      • Spring Gala 2015
      • Science of Cocktails
    • Become a Member
      • General & Contributing Levels
      • Join the Exploratorium Lab
        • Lab Levels & Benefits
        • Lab Leadership
        • Lab Patron Insiders
      • Renew Your Membership
      • Give a Gift Membership
      • Member Events
      • Member Programs
        • Day Camps
        • Girls Science Institute
        • Excursions
        • Homeschool Science Programs
      • Membership FAQ
    • Corporate Engagement
      • Corporate Philanthropy
      • Integrated Partnerships
    • Our Supporters
      • Corporate Supporters
      • Foundation Donors
      • Public Funders
    • Learn More About Us
      • Annual Report
      • Fact Sheet
    • Become a Volunteer
      • Opportunities
      • Benefits
      • How to Apply
      • Our Contract
      • Application for Individuals
      • Application for Corporate Groups
      • Application for School Groups & Clubs
      • Application for Professional Societies
  • store
  • about
    • Our Story
      • History
      • Exhibit Making
      • Explainer Programs
      • Staff Artists
      • Staff Scientists
    • At a Glance
      • Fact Sheet
      • Annual Report
      • Press Office
      • Awards
      • Senior Management
      • Board of Directors
      • Job Opportunities
        • Application Procedures
        • Areas of Employment
        • Employee Benefits
      • Become a Volunteer
      • Contact Info
      • Newsletters
      • Follow & Share
      • FY14 Audit Report
      • Privacy Policy
      • Use Policy
  • press office
    • News Coverage
    • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
    • Photographs
    • Video Footage
    • Press Visits
    • Press List
    • Events Calendar
  • visit
    • Directions and Parking
    • Calendar
    • Museum Galleries
    • Arts at the Exploratorium
    • Buy Tickets
    • Event Rentals
  • explore
    • Activities
    • Apps
    • Blogs
    • Videos
    • Websites
  • education
    • Professional Development Programs
    • Tools for Teaching
    • Community Programs
    • Tools for Learning
    • Learning About Learning
  • collaborations
    • Our Global Reach
    • Collaborating with Science Agencies
    • Collaborating with Educational Institutions
    • Osher Fellows
  • join + give
    • Membership
    • Ways to Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Learn More About Us
  • store
    • Special Collections
    • Gifts
    • Games & Puzzles
    • Science Kits
    • Tinkering & Building
    • Why Shop Here?

Directions and Parking

 
Get Directions

Exploratorium

Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green St)
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 528-4444
  • by transit
  • by car
  • by bike
 

Public Transit

Within San Francisco

  • Muni’s F Market streetcar stops in front of the Exploratorium at Embarcadero and Green Street.
  • Muni bus lines 2, 6, 14, 21, 31, and metro rail lines J, K, L, M, T, N stop within walking distance. Bus lines 1, 10, 12, 41, and 38 also stop in the vicinity.
  • Embarcadero BART, Muni stations, and ferry terminals at the Ferry Building are all a 10- to 15-minute walk away.

From the East Bay

  • The Embarcadero BART station is a 10- to 15-minute walk away.
  • Numerous AC Transit lines terminate at the Transbay Temporary Terminal, a 20-minute walk away.
  • The San Francisco Bay Ferry departs from Alameda Main Street, Harbor Bay, and Jack London Square in Oakland and arrives at the Ferry Building, a 10-minute walk away.

From the North Bay

  • Golden Gate Transit bus lines 10, 70, 80, 101, and 101x terminate at the Transbay Temporary Terminal, a 20-minute walk away.
  • Golden Gate Ferry offers ferry service from Larkspur and Sausalito and arrives at the Ferry Building, a 10-minute walk away.
  • Blue and Gold Fleet offers ferry service from Tiburon and Sausalito and arrives at the Ferry Building, a 10-minute walk away.
  • The San Francisco Bay Ferry provides service from Vallejo and arrives at the Ferry Building, a 10-minute walk away.

From the Peninsula and South Bay

  • All BART lines stop at the Embarcadero Station, a 10- to 15-minute walk north along the Embarcadero to Pier 15.
  • Take Caltrain to the San Francisco station at Fourth and King streets, then transfer to Muni Metro Lines N or T. Exit at Embarcadero station, a 10- to 15-minute walk from the Exploratorium.
  • SamTrans route 292 (weekday and weekend)  to the Temporary Transbay Terminal, a 20-minute walk away.
  • The San Francisco Bay Ferry departs from the South San Francisco/Oyster Point ferry terminal (Wednesdays and Fridays only) and arrives at the Ferry Building, a 10-minute walk away.

Parking

We’ve enhanced our parking resources! Now, you can:

• get validated rates from select nearby garages during certain hours

• reserve and pay for parking in advance

• explore additional parking options nearby

 

Discounted, Validated* Parking

Levi's Plaza Garage 1453 Sansome St
(10–15 minute walk)
$10 for up to 4 hours ($3.00 for each additional 20 min.);
  • Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
  • Weekends: 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Embarcadero Center 1, 2, 3, and 4 Embarcadero Center
(10–15 minute walk)
$10 flat fee
  • Weekdays: After 4:00 p.m. (garage closes at midnight)
  • Weekends: All day (10 a.m. until midnight)
  • Holidays: Varies, call the garage at (415) 772-0670 

​* To get discounted rates, you must have your parking ticket validated by the Exploratorium at the Information Desk with proof of same-day ticket purchase. If you're a member, you can validate your ticket by showing a current membership card at the Information Desk.

Prepaid Parking

Save the trouble of looking for parking and purchase prepaid, reserved parking at nearby parking lots through Parking Panda, our online parking reservation partner.

Other Nearby Parking

Pacific Park Management 847 Front Street (@ Vallejo) directions
Priority Parking 1011 Front St (@ Green) directions
Public Parking 50 Broadway (off Embarcadero) directions
Public Parking 735 Davis (@ Broadway) directions
Pacific Park Management 90 Broadway (@ Front) directions
Hornblower Landing Pier 3 (on Embarcadero) directions
Peninsula Parking 244 Pacific Avenue (@ Battery) directions
Public Parking 955 Sansome (@ Vallejo) directions
Pro Parking 750 Front (@ Broadway) directions

Please Note: 
Lots are not owned or operated by the Exploratorium. All parking is subject to availability.

Metered Parking
Metered parking is available along the Embarcadero and on side streets.

Donors receive special parking privileges.

Loading Zone

There is a white-curbed loading zone on the Embarcadero just south of the museum where you can drop people off or pick them up.

Biking

There are ample public bike racks on site as well as Public Bike Work Stations for a quick fix on the South apron of Pier 15 and in front of Pier 17.

San Francisco Bike Map (pdf)

Buy Tickets

Coming to visit? Get your tickets online or at the museum.

Museum Map

Take a look inside the Exploratorium's new home at Pier 15.

For More Information
511.org

Guest Services
visit@exploratorium.edu
(415) 528-4444

visit

  • Buy Tickets
  • Calendar
  • Directions and Parking
  • Hours
  • Museum Map
  • Restaurant & Café
  • Exploratorium Store
  • Accessibility
  • FAQ
  • Museum Galleries
  • Arts at the Exploratorium
  • School Field Trips
  • Groups
  • Travel Trade / Tour Operators
  • Event Rentals
  • Contact Us

Pier 15
(Embarcadero at Green Street)
San Francisco, CA 94111

(415) 528-4444

© 2015 Exploratorium

 

 

Visit the Exploratorium

  • Buy Tickets
  • Hours
  • Directions & Parking
  • Calendar
  • Tactile Dome
  • Contact Us

Footer-visit2

  • About Us
  • Press Office
  • Event Rentals
  • Become A Member
  • Donate
  • Jobs

Connect

Sign up for our newsletter

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Tumblr
  • Foursquare
  •  
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your California Privacy Rights