The Exploratorium Is Closed, But Our Outdoor Exhibits Are Here to Explore
Stroll San Francisco's Embarcadero and down Pier 15 for great views and some interactive exhibits.
by Mary Miller • February 2, 2021
While the COVID pandemic has closed the indoor exhibits at the Exploratorium, you can still get your fix of interactive exhibits at the Exploratorium’s waterfront location. As you walk down the Embarcadero between the Ferry Building and Pier 39 take a right on the public pathway at the south side of Pier 15. Walk down a bit and look behind you and notice the concrete sea wall built more than a century ago to support commerce and allow landfill behind it.
The crumbling seawall between Piers 9 and 15 (Photo: Mary Miller/Exploratorium)
As you walk along pier, check out the small railing signs for some cool and whimsical observations. Farther along are the Bay Windows outdoor exhibit, five rotating disks with sediment collected from the bay that make beautiful swirling patterns when you spin them.
Interactive Bridge Model at the end of Pier 15 (Photo: Amy Snyder/Exploratorium)
As you walk along the east end of the pier, look at the upper side of the building for faded signs of the shipping companies that once operated out of Pier 15. Farther along, in between Piers 15 and 17, look up and you’ll see the 27-foot Aeolian Harp created by artist Doug Hollis. If there’s an afternoon breeze, you can hear the harp strings sing and moan.
Color of Water Exhibit at Pier 17 (Photo: Amy Snyder/Exploratorium)
Listening vessel in front of the Exploratorium (Photo: Amy Snyder/Exploratorium)