Public Transit
Within San Francisco
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Muni’s F Market streetcar stops in front of the Exploratorium at Embarcadero and Green Street.
- Muni’s E Embarcadero streetcar also stops in front of the Exploratorium (please note that it runs from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. only).
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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.
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Embarcadero BART, Muni stations, and ferry terminals at the Ferry Building are all a 10- to 15-minute walk away.
From the East Bay
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The Embarcadero BART station is a 10- to 15-minute walk away.
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Numerous AC Transit lines terminate at the Transbay Temporary Terminal, a 20-minute walk away.
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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.
- Tideline is a Port of San Francisco water transportation service offering loops, cruises, and private charters around the Bay.
From the North Bay
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Golden Gate Transit bus lines 10, 70, 80, 101, and 101x terminate at the Transbay Temporary Terminal, a 20-minute walk away.
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Golden Gate Ferry offers ferry service from Larkspur and Sausalito and arrives at the Ferry Building, a 10-minute walk away.
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Blue and Gold Fleet offers ferry service from Tiburon and Sausalito and arrives at the Ferry Building, a 10-minute walk away.
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The San Francisco Bay Ferry provides service from Vallejo and arrives at the Ferry Building, a 10-minute walk away.
- Tideline is a Port of San Francisco water transportation service offering loops, cruises, and private charters around the Bay.
From the Peninsula and South Bay
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All BART lines stop at the Embarcadero Station, a 10- to 15-minute walk north along the Embarcadero to Pier 15.
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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.
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SamTrans route 292 (weekday and weekend) to the Temporary Transbay Terminal, a 20-minute walk away.
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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
There are numerous parking garages and lots near our Pier 15 campus. The museum partners with SP+ to offer a discount using the code 1234000 at these lots: Exploratorium Pier 15 Parking Lot and Pier 19 ½ Parking Lot.
Please Note:
Lots are not owned or operated by the Exploratorium. All parking is subject to availability
You can purchase discounted parking at both lots in one of two ways:
- Give the discount code 1234000 to the parking attendant.
- Pay at a ticket kiosk in the parking lot. Enter the discount code 1234000 at the kiosk.
Exploratorium Pier 15 Parking Lot
Open 24/7, entrance on Front Street
Use discount code 1234000 and receive below rates: | |
| October–February | $15 flat rate |
| March–September (peak season) | $15 for 3 hours
$20 for 4 hours
$25–$40 for 4+ hours
(rate for 4+ hours varies by day) |
| Evening rate (after 4 p.m., year-round) | $10 |
Pier 19 ½ Parking Lot
M–F: 7 a.m.–8 p.m., Sat: 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Temporary entrance at Pier 19 off Embarcadero heading north
Use discount code 1234000 and receive below rates: | |
| October–February | $15 flat rate |
| March–September (peak season) | $15 for 3 hours
$20 for 4 hours
$25–$40 for 4+ hours
(rate for 4+ hours varies by day) |
Metered Parking
Metered parking is available along the Embarcadero and on side streets.
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.
Thank You
The Exploratorium is grateful to SP+ for offering special parking discounts to museum guests.
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
