Membership FAQ

Welcome Back to Pier 15

We can’t wait to see you! Learn what to expect and visit with your new digital membership card today. Timed tickets are not currently required for Daytime or After Dark members. Please note that we’ve extended all current memberships to cover any time missed during closure (see your digital card for your new expiration date).

Corporate members and donors: This FAQ applies to Daytime and After Dark Members. Please visit our Corporate Member FAQ or Donor FAQ for information on how to visit and more.

How do I visit?

City of San Francisco Vaccine Requirement

In accordance with the City of San Francisco Vaccine Requirement, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and a valid photo ID are now required for all visitors ages 12+, without exception.

How do you prove that you’ve been vaccinated?

Please be prepared to show proof of vaccination and a valid photo ID at the entry gate when you visit.

Valid forms of proof of vaccination include:

An original, a copy, or a picture of your CDC vaccination card
Documentation from a healthcare provider
Personal digital COVID-19 vaccine record issued by the State of California or by an approved private company

Proof of vaccination will be cross-checked against each visitor’s photo ID. A written self-attestation or verbal declaration of vaccination status is not acceptable as a form of proof. Access your State of California vaccine record: myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov

When did this take effect?

The new vaccination verification requirements took effect on Friday, August 20, 2021.

Are there exceptions to the vaccination requirement?

In accordance with the City of San Francisco’s guidance, “businesses covered by the proof of vaccine requirement must not allow unvaccinated people ages 12 years and over to enter indoor areas regardless of the reason they are unvaccinated.” The vaccine requirement does not apply to children under 12.

What if a child, age 12 or older, doesn’t have a photo ID to cross-check against their proof of vaccination?

To confirm a child’s proof of vaccination, please bring some form of identification. If a child does not have a photo ID, a non-photo ID (e.g., school ID) or verification from an accompanying adult is sufficient.

What changes can I expect now that the Exploratorium has reopened?

Our six spacious indoor and outdoor galleries have been thoughtfully reimagined to meet high standards for safety protocols guided by science: required masks, 100% fresh air filtered by our HVAC MERV 14 system, hand sanitizing stations throughout Pier 15, frequent exhibit and public space disinfection, and more. The Tactile Dome is temporarily closed, and we’ve removed some exhibits for an extra spacious museum floor.

You’ll find hundreds of your favorite exhibits and many new surprises. Delve into expanded sections on bubbles, mirrors, optical illusions, and playful mechanisms. Delight in the wonders you can observe in the world around you—light, gravity, color, and more. And explore a new space devoted to stories of our shared human experiences in the past year.

Extensions

Are you offering extensions on annual memberships to make up for the months I missed while the Exploratorium was closed?

Yes! We are honoring our commitment to provide a full year of free admission benefits for every member. Your extended expiration date should be reflected on your digital membership card. If there are any discrepancies or questions about your new expiration date, please contact us at 415.528.4321 or membership@exploratorium.edu.

What about gift membership vouchers? Are you extending those too?

Yes, we will be extending gift membership vouchers on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Membership Services at 415.528.4321 or membership@exploratorium.edu to activate your gift membership voucher.

General Information

Can I apply general admission tickets toward a membership?

Absolutely! You can apply your ticket purchase price toward a membership at any time on the day of your visit. The number and type of applicable tickets varies with the membership level you purchase. Tickets purchased from third-party vendors are not applicable; other restrictions may apply. Ask any Visitor Services Associate for details during your visit.

I just joined and am planning my first visit to the Exploratorium. What do I need?

Thank you for your support! New members will receive their digital membership card via email within 7–10 business days after their membership purchase. If you have not received your digital membership card yet, you can visit using the temporary membership pass PDF attached to your emailed purchase receipt, or on the temporary membership card you received if you purchased on site.

Is an Exploratorium membership reciprocal with other museums?

Yes! The Exploratorium participates in ASTC's Passport Program, which entitles all our Daytime members to free admission to over 350 science and technology centers (once they reopen) located outside of a 90-mile radius from the Exploratorium.

(Extended expiration date not showing up yet on your digital membership card? Please email membership@exploratorium.edu to review and update your information.)

ASTC Passport Program members from other participating institutions can visit the Exploratorium’s on-site Ticketing Desk to reserve timed tickets on the day of their visit. Tickets are issued based on availability.

How will my reciprocal benefits work when visiting other organizations?

All Daytime members have ASTC reciprocity, and your digital membership card includes the ASTC logo. You can simply show your digital card at participating organizations to receive free or reduced admission! Questions about ASTC guidelines or participating museums? Click the ASTC link on the “back” of your digital card, or visit the ASTC Passport Program, for more information.

Can a guest use my membership without being named on the membership?

That depends on your level of membership. Dual and Family Explorer levels can only be used by the adults named on the membership. If there is only one adult named, however, then a guest can use the membership to visit if accompanied by the named adult member. For Family with Caregiver, Insider, Supporter, and Sustainer levels, members may reserve timed tickets for guests. Guests and caregivers visiting without a named member will need to show the digital membership card you shared with them.

What are the unaccompanied guest policies for my membership level?

All guests are required to possess a membership card and ID for entry.

Membership Level	Guest Allowance Per Day
Family with Caregiver	Without named member present, one adult may bring children for Daytime admission only. With named member present, an extra guest may come in place of a caregiver.
Insiders	Without named member, the limit per day is 2 adult guests and up to 4 children.
Supporters / Sustainers	Limit per day is 6 guests of any age.

What if I have additional guests with me who are not covered for free by my membership level?

Additional guests accompanying you are eligible for a discounted ticket rate: $5 off any adult or youth ticket, and $2 off any child ticket. Discounted guest tickets are available for purchase on site or by contacting our Membership team at 415.528.4321 or membership@exploratorium.edu.

Can I purchase an Exploratorium membership as a gift for someone else?

Yes! An Exploratorium membership makes a wonderful gift for any occasion. When you purchase a gift membership, you will receive a voucher you can give as a gift. Each gift voucher has an expiration date of 120 days from the purchase date. The membership benefits start when the gift recipient redeems their gift voucher. To learn more, contact us at 415.528.4321 or membership@exploratorium.edu.

Is an Exploratorium membership tax-deductible?

Yes, it is. As a donation to a nonprofit organization, your membership fees are either partially or fully tax-deductible depending on the level. You will receive a welcome letter listing the tax-deductible amount. Thank you for your essential support!

How do I take advantage of my 10% off dining discount?

Both Daytime and After Dark members now have a 10% discount on all non-alcoholic food and beverage from Seaglass Restaurant and Seismic Joint Cafe. To take advantage, simply show your membership card at the time of purchase.

Digital Membership Card FAQ

The Exploratorium is pleased to introduce digital membership cards as a contact-free and environmentally friendly benefit of membership! We hope these answers to common questions will help you download and use your new digital card. Additional questions can be directed to our membership staff at 415.528.4321 or membership@exploratorium.edu.

How do I add my digital membership card to my iPhone?

Access your digital card invitation email from your smartphone. Click the "Download" button, then click "Add to Wallet" and "Add." The card will automatically go to your iPhone’s Apple Wallet. It can be accessed in Wallet at any time.

How do I add my digital membership card to my Android phone?

Android users need to install Wallet Passes from Google Play. After you have the app, access your digital card invitation email from your smartphone, and click “Download.” The card will automatically go to your Wallet Passes app, where it can be accessed at any time.

I am not sure I received my digital card. Can you send it again?

Please check your junk, spam, trash, and updates folders for an email from member@e xploratorium.edu, which will include a link to download your card. If you are still unable to find your digital card invitation, please contact us at 415.528.4321 or email membership@exploratorium.edu. We can resend the email for you to download and enjoy your digital membership card.

I downloaded my card, but I can’t find it.

If you have an iPhone, the card will automatically download to Apple Wallet. Check the Wallet app for your new card (scroll through any cards that are already there—it may be hiding!). If you have an Android, you’ll need to download Wallet Passes from the Play Store prior to downloading the card.

I’d prefer not to use a digital membership card. What should I do?

We can still mail you a paper membership card upon special request. If you have already purchased your membership and would like a paper card mailed to you, please call 415.528.4321 or email membership@exploratorium.edu.

I don’t have a smartphone. What can I do?

Please call 415.528.4321, email membership@exploratorium.edu, or visit the Information Desk on site to request a paper membership card.

My name is spelled wrong or my membership level is incorrect. How do I fix that?

Please call 415.528.4321 or email membership@exploratorium.edu to update your membership record. The updates will show up on your phone within 10 days.

How will I use my digital membership card?

Your digital membership card and a form of ID are required for entry.

Also, your card is where you'll find all your up-to-date membership information—including your membership expiration date—and for Daytime members, it can be used to gain admission when you visit our ASTC Passport Program reciprocal admission partners.

Your new digital membership card will update automatically with all of the information you’ll need.

What's on the “back” of my digital card, and where do I find it?

On the “back” of your digital membership card, you’ll find helpful links to our website, your membership ID number, and details on the admission benefits included in your membership level. To see the back of the card:

On your iPhone, tap on the 3 small dots at the upper right corner of your card.
On your Android phone, tap on the information icon (the lowercase “i” in a circle).
On the GPay app, simply scroll down to view all of your membership information. All information is on the "front" of the card.

How do I add my digital membership card to my Android phone with Wallet Passes?

If you would like to use the Wallet Passes app to access your digital membership card, first install Wallet Passes from Google Play. After you have the app, access your digital card invitation email from your smartphone, and click “Download.” The card will automatically go to your Wallet Passes app, where it can be accessed at any time.

What does "automatic updates" mean?

Please keep this option (on the back of your card) toggled on. This will ensure your digital card stays up to date with your membership’s current expiration date, and membership benefits.

If I "allow notifications," what kind of notifications will you send me?

We will send reminders when your membership benefits are about to lapse. We realize constant notifications are intrusive, and we promise to only send information pertinent to the status of your membership.

Will my digital card update automatically when I renew my membership?

No. If your membership information changes, you’ll need to download your digital card again. When you renew or upgrade your membership, you’ll be invited to download a new version of your card.

How do I share my membership?

If you have a second member named on your membership; or if you have a Family with Caregiver, Insider, Supporter, or Sustainer membership, and you want to share your membership with a friend, family member, or caregiver without a named member being present; then please follow the instructions below.

Navigate to the “back” of your membership card (in Apple Wallet or Wallet Passes). Then share the card as follows:

On an iPhone, click on the “share” icon (tiny rectangle with upwards arrow), select iMessage, and send your card via text to the intended recipient. When they receive your text, they should tap on the image of the card, and select “Save.” The card will be added to their Wallet.
On an Android phone, click the “Share Pass” button to send the card to your recipient. The recipient must also have Wallet Passes on their smartphone.

Please note: Sharing cards is intended for temporary usage, limited to family members and friends, and must remain consistent with the terms and conditions of your membership. It is the named member’s responsibility to maintain control of their cards.