This historical building was opened June 10, 1966 as a wing of the de Young Museum, but now currently sits across from City Hall. There is vast array of all kinds of exhibits and galleries from the far east. Definitely worth the visit for San Francisco tourists and museum enthusiasts. Admission: $10 Adults, $7 Seniors, $6 Students, Children under 12 Free, $5 Thursdays after 5pm, Free first Tuesday of every month.

Located near city hall, the cross street is McAllister

This relatively new museum was opened in 1995, and designed by renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta. The museum has a wonderful permanent collections on exhibit including works of Diebenkorn, Dorothea Lange, Klee, Matisse and Cindy Sherman to name a few. Check out the large lobby area, huge exhibition rooms and interior sculptures that hand from above. Admission: $12.50 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 Students, Children under 12 free. Half price on Thursday evenings, and free first Tuesday of each month.

Admission for gallery $6 adults, $3 seniors, teachers, and students. Free to all 1st Tues of each month. Free for seniors and students with ID every Thurs

A must see!! This island used to serve as a prison for America’s worst criminals and mobsters. It’s now a museum that you can take your kids to check out the actual prison cells and also enjoy jaw-dropping views of the San Francisco bay area. Feel free to take the audio tour and be sure to where warm clothes on this cold weather-ridden island. Alcatraz is a member of the National Park Service. Admission: $13.25 Adults, $11 Seniors, $8 Kids

Aquarium, Natural History, Space

Between 4th and 5th sts

Every fall, locals get in free on Neighborhood Free Days sprinkled throughout the year. Call (415) 321-8000 to find out when your ZIP code gets a discount.

The first Tuesday of every month is “Pay What You Wish Day.”
A cartooning class for kids ages six to 14 is held every Saturday (1pm-3pm) for $5. Instruction focuses on storyboarding and character design. Reservations are accepted, but not required.

This one-of-a-kind museum has really interesting trinket syle stuff you’ll never see anywhere else. Old antique pinball machines, amazing penny structures, and even a toothpick amusement park that was built by San Quentic inmates. Admission: Free

Free admission

At Washington St

Definitely one of the coolest museums in San Francisco, the Exploratorium is meant to be a hands-on, interactive style museum where families can really have a good time. Located directly behind the Palace of Fine Arts, visitors can enjoy all the art, science, technology, human-perception this museum has to offer. Admission: $8-13

Directly behind the Palace of Fine Arts

Museum for kids and families. Create things out of clay, make music, videos, and creative art.
GENERAL ADMISSION PRICES
Youth Ages 3–18
Students/Seniors
Adults
Zeum Members
Children Age 2 and Younger $6
$7
$8
FREE
FREE

MUNI BUS: 15, 18, 19, 41

Small museum for kids. My close friend recommended that I should take the children and visit the Randall museum after she took her children on a school fieldtrip there. It is an amazing place especially if you visit on a Saturday. The museum is not that large which is great because we can get through the exhibits in a very short time without the kids getting too tired and restless. The Saturday arts and crafts class was great, kind of crowded. Free Admission (donations are accepted).

for directions go here