Seeing great art is a priceless experience. From staring intently at a Picasso that blows your mind to discovering ancient pottery as beautiful as today’s finest jewelry, the adventure intrinsic to walking the halls of a museum can be a profoundly fulfilling experience.
Here in the Bay Area, there’s rarely a dull moment thanks to our proximity to a diverse array of world-class museums. From the fine art found at San Francisco’s iconic constellation of offerings to more off-beat (but no less fascinating) fare displayed across the region, having access to so much amazing art is a privilege — but thankfully not one that will break the bank!
Thanks to “free days” hosted by many of our area’s most beloved cultural institutions, it’s possible to enjoy the collections of these amazing museums free of charge. To help you make the most of these special opportunities, here’s a rundown of announced free days for some of the Bay Area’s top museums.
Oakland Museum of California, photo by Amy Burke
San Francisco
Sadly, SFMOMA’s previous opportunity for Bay Area residents to attend for free on every first Thursday of the month was put on hold in Feb. At present, opportunities to experience this iconic museum’s permanent collection and temporary exhibits include SFMOMA’s free community days (next date TBD; occurring periodically during the year) and free family days (next set for June 14; four free adult tickets per every person under 18 in party). Please click here for more info.
On the first Tuesday of every month, make your way to Golden Gate Park to enjoy complimentary access to the de Young Museum’s extensive permanent offerings that include Edmund C. Tarbell’s oil painting “The Blue Veil” and a robust African art collection. Other opportunities take the form of monthly free general admission for Bay Area residents every Saturday and the annual de Youngster’s Day Out. Please click here for more info.
Legion of Honor: This sibling museum to the de Young often plays host to traveling exhibits of master painters (Claude Monet, Wayne Thiebauld) and exquisite photographers (Lee Miller, Ansel Adams). See this stunning building (complete with Rodin sculpture) and all of its treasures within by taking advantage of the Legion’s free days on the first Tuesday of every month. The Legion also honors additional offers available from the de Young (see blurb above). Please click here for more info.
Contemporary artists and historic artifacts both fill the display cases at this exceptional museum devoted to Asian artists and culture. From a major retrospective on Takashi Murakami to an exhibit on China’s Terracotta Army, the Asian Art Museum’s robust collection may require multiple visits to see all of its rich, carefully curated contents. For free entry, visit on the first Sunday of the month. Please click here for more info.
Other San Francisco museums with free days:
- Museum of Craft and Design, free first Thursday of every month
- Conservatory of Flowers, free first Tuesday of every month
- SF Botanical Gardens, free second Tuesday of every month
- Japanese Tea Gardens, free admission from 9am – 10am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
- GLBT Historical Society Museum, free first Wednesday of every month
- Museum of the African Diaspora, free second Saturday of every month
North Bay
Plan ahead to take advantage of the two days a year when the Bay Area Discovery Museum opens its doors to all Bay Area residents free of charge. Taking place on the first Wednesday of March and September, this special opportunity provides a chance to experience this play-first museum ripe for memory making and charmingly located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. Additionally, the BADM embraces an “open door policy” that welcomes all families to make a donation of any amount in exchange for admission year-round. Please click here for more info.
East Bay
Fill your next East Bay adventure with incredible art by visiting the Oakland Museum of California! Featuring special displays on local culture — a recent exhibit was dedicated to celebrating the 75th anniversary of cherished local amusement park Children’s Fairyland — OMCA provides complimentary admission for Bay Area residents on the first Sunday of every month. Please click here for more info.
