The Bay Area Discovery Museum Free Day is one of the best family deals in the Bay Area.
Next week, Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito is hosting its Free First Wednesday event for Bay Area families. It is such a special opportunity to visit this iconic waterfront museum at no cost.
We participated in the Bay Area Discovery Museum Free Day last September and had so much fun. My kids loved playing in Lookout Cove and exploring the new Painter’s Palace Discovery Zone. The views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco are truly unmatched.
I am so excited we are able to attend again. If you cannot make this Bay Area Discovery Museum Free Day, do not worry. There are several other ways to get free or discounted admission.
How to Get Free Tickets to the Bay Area Discovery Museum
1. Free First Wednesdays for Bay Area Residents
Twice a year, the Bay Area Discovery Museum offers free admission to residents of all nine Bay Area counties.
For 2026, the museum has announced the March 4th Free First Wednesday event. In previous years, they have also hosted a second Free First Wednesday in September, so it is worth checking the museum’s website regularly for updates.
2. Discover & Go Pass, San Francisco Public Library
The San Francisco Public Library offers free admission once per year for one adult and up to three additional family members. At least one person in the group must be a child.
All you need is a free San Francisco library card. You can apply online or in person and show your CA state ID.
Advance reservations through the Discover & Go website are required, and tickets go quickly. I have found the best time to check for availability is the first of the month.
Other Bay Area library systems may offer similar passes, though I do not have personal experience using them.
3. Active Military Discount
Active military members receive free admission year round for themselves and one child with a valid military ID.
Blue Star Families also receive free admission between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.
4. Association of Science and Technology Centers, ASTC
If you are a member of an ASTC museum located more than 90 miles away from the Bay Area Discovery Museum and you also live more than 90 miles away, you may receive up to two adult tickets and four children’s tickets through the ASTC Passport Program.
I have used this reciprocity program while traveling and highly recommend calling ahead to confirm eligibility before your visit.
5.Bay Area Discovery Museum Membership
A Bay Area Discovery Museum membership includes unlimited free admission year round.
While this is not technically a free option, it is a great value if you plan to visit more than once. The $229 Family Membership would more than pay for itself for our family of six if we visited twice in a year.
How to Get Discounted Tickets to the Bay Area Discovery Museum
1. Museums for All
EBT, SNAP, and WIC cardholders can purchase up to six five dollar tickets in person with a valid ID and benefits card.
2. Association of Children’s Museums
Members of children’s museums affiliated with the Association of Children’s Museums may receive up to 50 percent off admission, depending on their membership level.
I have not personally used this reciprocity program, so I recommend calling ahead to confirm details before visiting.
If You Have to Pay Full Price Go This Weekend
Free admission or not, the Bay Area Discovery Museum truly feels like a Bay Area bucket list destination, especially if you have a child five years old or younger.
An admission day truly worth paying for is their Bay Area Discovery Museum’s Big Art Weekend. This year it will take place March 28th & 29th, 2026. It is like museum is on steroids. Everywhere you look there are different crafting tables and activities for kids to participate in. It can be crowded and chaotic, but I honestly didn’t feel like the crowds stopped my kids from participating in any crafts they wanted to do.
I am always amazed at the creative and unexpected ways my kids play there. I will never get tired of the Golden Gate Bridge views from the How Things Work exhibit or Lookout Cove.
Next week, I will be sharing a blog post about our favorite activities at the museum. In the meantime, you can check out our family’s favorite things to do in San Francisco.
Best Things to Do in San Francisco with Kids
Seven Founding Hills 
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