Top 10 San Francisco Museum Free Days

M. Goodwin Associates

SFMOMA

​Bored, broke, and nothing to do? Think again. Most museums in San Francisco offer regular free days. (Some are free all the time.) Here's your official guide to the best and cheapest exhibitions coming up this month and next.

Ann Bartkowski

​10. Exploratorium
First Wednesday of the month
(Next up: March 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

The Exploratorium admits that its free days "can become a mob scene," and suggests you pay to get in "if you enjoy relative peace and quiet." But, as ye olde someone used to say, beggars can't be choosers. If you want to be at liberty to explore this museum that specializes in astronomy, natural history, and science, you must also be prepared to be trampled my small children.

Here and There

​9. Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
First Sunday of the month
(Next up: Feb. 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

There is a family-friendly free day at the Asian Art Museum. This month, the event is centered around the Lunar New Year. The museum partnered with the Chinese American International School to create a lion dance and a presentation of Chinese classical music. Lots of dragon-themed activities are scheduled throughout the day, and, unexpectedly, yoga inspired by the sculptures in the collection.

Museé Mécanique from Jan Sturmann / Vimeo.

8. Musee Mecanique
Free every day

Musee Mecanique is among the gems you'd find only here in San Francisco. It's a slightly creepy, slightly campy mix of more than 200 machines and arcade games, all in working order and ready to play. A visit here is less of a fine-art viewing experience and more of a trip back in time to the penny arcade. This one is not recommended if you're afraid of ventriloquist dolls.