Getting Here
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the temporary closure of the museum, we are not accepting field visit reservations at this time. For more information, please contact Reservations directly at (415) 528-4407.
The Exploratorium is located at Pier 15 on the Embarcadero (at Green Street) in San Francisco, and there are so many ways to get here: you can come by BART, ferry, city bus, private bus, or car.
Field Trips are Bartable
BART is a great way to get to the Exploratorium from points within San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. We're an easy ten-minute walk from Embarcadero Station.
San Francisco Bay Ferry
Skip San Francisco traffic, don't worry about parking, and add a scenic boat ride to your trip: take the ferry to the Exploratorium! The museum is just a ten-minute walk from the Ferry Building; check the schedule ahead of time to see whether there's a ferry that works for your class.
MUNI
San Francisco's MUNI bus system can drop you right at the Exploratorium's door—the MUNI F-line streetcar stops directly in front of the Exploratorium. Check the schedule and plan your route before you come.
CalTrain
The Exploratorium is a 20-minute MUNI ride from the San Francisco CalTrain station at 4th and King Streets. From the CalTrain station, you can take the MUNI N Judah line in the outbound direction and get off at Embarcadero Station, then walk ten minutes north on the Embarcadero to reach the museum.
School or Charter Bus
If you're coming by school bus or charter bus, we can help—please see Bus Routes for Field Trips and Other Groups for parking information, approved routes to the Exploratorium, and a schedule of arrival times. All buses must use approved routes to the Exploratorium—don’t delay your visit by taking an inaccessible route!
Car
If you plan to come by car, there are parking lots nearby, in addition to street parking on surrounding streets. Our Directions and Parking page will tell you everything you need to know.
Transportation Scholarships
A number of organizations help schools pay for field trip transportation. If your school needs help, consider applying for the following:
- Schools in Alameda, San Mateo, and San Francisco Counties can apply for Excursion Grants from the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation.
- The A to Z Fund is open to Oakland public schools.
- The crowdfunding site DonorsChoose.org sources money for materials and field trips.
- Applications for Target’s Field Trip Grants are due October 1 each year.
