The Bay Area Discovery Museum is an indoor and outdoor children’s museum located at Fort Baker in Sausalito, California. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips to help you plan your trip.
This guide was last updated in April 2026 to reflect the latest admission rates, which have increased to $25 for adults and children, and the current “Rainy Day Guarantee” policy.
Quick facts
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Wed–Sun, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Members: 9:00 am) |
| Ticket prices | $25 (General); $15 (Babies 6–11 months) |
| Address | 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito, CA 94965 |
| Nearest transport | Alexander Ave & Bunker Rd (Bus 130); Free on-site parking |
| Typical visit time | 2 to 3 hours |
Bay Area Discovery Museum opening hours
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. On the second Thursday of each month, the museum closes early at 3:00 pm. Museum members have exclusive access during Member Hour from 9:00 am to 10:00 am every day the museum is open.
During the school year (Labor Day to Memorial Day), the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. During the summer season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), the museum remains closed on Tuesdays but may offer expanded seasonal programming. The museum is closed annually for maintenance during two weeks in September and on major holidays including New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
5 San Francisco experiences worth booking
- 🌉 Combine the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Alcatraz on a packed day tour.
- 🌲 Take a day trip to the Giant Sequoias and the highlights of Yosemite National Park.
- 🌃 See the city lights at night on a San Francisco Bay cruise.
- 🍷 Go wine-tasting in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys on a full day wine tour.
- ✌️ Hit the hippie hotspots in a colourful VW bus on the San Francisco Love Tour.
Bay Area Discovery Museum ticket prices
General admission tickets cost $25 for adults (18-64) and children (1-17), while seniors (65+) are $23 and babies (6-11 months) are $15. Infants under 6 months old are admitted free of charge. For qualifying families with EBT, SNAP, or WIC cards, admission is reduced to $5 per person for up to four people through the Museums for All program.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026.
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is not currently part of the standard San Francisco CityPASS or Go City All-Inclusive passes. Those passes primarily cover San Francisco-based attractions such as the California Academy of Sciences, Exploratorium, Aquarium of the Bay, and the San Francisco Zoo. Visitors can, however, use reciprocal membership benefits if they belong to an ASTC-affiliated science centre located more than 90 miles away.
Why book the Go City San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass?
- 🧬 California Academy of Sciences: Visit the world’s only aquarium-planetarium-rainforest-natural history museum, featuring a four-story living rainforest and a stunning coral reef ecosystem.
- 🚌 Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: See the best of the “City by the Bay” with a 1-day classic tour that covers major landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, and Fisherman’s Wharf.
- ⛴️ Iconic Bay Cruises: Get out on the water for spectacular skyline views with your choice of a Golden Gate Bay Cruise or a scenic boat trip around the infamous Alcatraz Island.
- 💰 Save up to 50%: Enjoy significant discounts on total admission costs for 30+ top attractions and tours compared to purchasing individual tickets at each gate.
- 📱 100% Digital & Flexible: Download your pass instantly to your smartphone for paperless entry, and choose a pass duration (1 to 5 days) that fits your travel schedule perfectly.
How to get to the Bay Area Discovery Museum
The museum is located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge and is most easily reached by car via US-101. From San Francisco, take the Alexander Avenue exit just after the Vista Point and follow the signs to Fort Baker. From the East Bay, take I-580 West across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and follow US-101 South to the Alexander Avenue exit.
Public transport options are limited to the Golden Gate Transit Bus Route 130, which stops at Alexander Ave & Bunker Rd. From this stop, visitors must walk approximately 0.5 miles down a steep hill to reach the museum entrance. There is no direct ferry service to the museum; however, you can take a ferry from San Francisco to downtown Sausalito and then use a taxi or rideshare for the remaining 3-mile journey.
Alternatively, take the San Francisco to Sausalito ferry.
Why book the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Tour?
- 🌉 Golden Gate Bridge Crossing: Experience the thrill of riding across the world’s most famous bridge on the open-top deck for unmatched panoramic views and photo opportunities.
- 🚌 20+ Iconic Stops: Explore the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods at your own pace, with a route that hits Fisherman’s Wharf, Haight-Ashbury, the Painted Ladies, and Union Square.
- 🎧 Multilingual Audio Guide: Learn about San Francisco’s fascinating history—from the Gold Rush to the Summer of Love—with entertaining recorded commentary available in multiple languages.
- 📱 Live Bus Tracking: Maximize your sightseeing time using the free Big Bus app, which features live bus tracking and estimated arrival times so you never have to wait long at a stop.
- 🕒 Total Travel Flexibility: Choose between a 24 or 48-hour pass to fit your schedule, giving you the freedom to hop off for a sourdough bread bowl or a museum visit and rejoin the tour whenever you’re ready.
Parking at the Bay Area Discovery Museum
Parking is free for all visitors in the paved and gravel lots directly in front of the museum entrance. There are designated accessible parking spaces reserved for visitors with disabled person placards in the lot closest to the main gate. On weekends and holidays, these lots can fill quickly, so arriving before 11:00 am is recommended.
How long to spend at the Bay Area Discovery Museum
Most families spend between 2 and 3 hours exploring the different exhibit zones. This timeframe allows children to engage with the outdoor climbing structures and the indoor creative studios without rushing. Families who plan to eat at the on-site café or attend a scheduled daily program may wish to allow for 4 hours.
Accessibility at the Bay Area Discovery Museum
The museum campus is fully wheelchair and stroller accessible, with ramps and paved paths connecting the various historic buildings and outdoor play areas. Accessible restrooms are located throughout the site, and a private Nursing Nook is available for mothers. Service animals that are leashed and under the control of their owners are permitted in accordance with the ADA.
For visitors with sensory sensitivities, the museum provides sensory bags at the front desk. These bags include noise-reduction headphones, communication cards, and fidget tools to assist with the visitor experience. If the museum becomes too crowded, staff can recommend designated quiet zones or “cool down” spaces within the campus.
Inside the Bay Area Discovery Museum
The museum features a mix of indoor galleries and outdoor “Discovery Zones” designed specifically for children aged 0 to 8.
- Lookout Cove: A 2.5-acre outdoor play area featuring a giant spider web for climbing, a gravel pit for digging, and a simulated shipwreck.
- Bay Hall: An indoor exhibit that simulates the San Francisco Bay, where children can explore sea caves and operate a mock fishing boat.
- Try It Studio: A hands-on STEM space that introduces digital fabrication technologies like 3D printers and vinyl cutters through playful experimentation.
- Tot Spot: A protected environment specifically for toddlers and infants, featuring soft floors, small-scale water play, and tactile tunnels.
- Art Studios: Supervised indoor spaces where children can use clay, paint, and recycled materials to create their own projects.
Like other California science museums such as the Exploratorium in San Francisco and Fleet Science Center in San Diego, the emphasis is on hands-on fun.
Practical visitor tips
| Category | Advice |
| Timing | Arrive at 10:00 am to avoid the midday peak and secure the closest parking. |
| Weather | Bring layers and a change of clothes, as the site is windy and children often get wet in the Tot Spot Creek. |
| Food | The Bean Sprouts Café serves food on-site, but you may also bring your own snacks to eat in the designated outdoor picnic areas. |
| Entry | Pre-book tickets online to skip the main ticket queue during weekends and school holidays. |
| Layout | The museum is a campus of several buildings; use the map provided at entry to find the age-appropriate zones for your child. |
Frequently asked questions about the Bay Area Discovery Museum
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Bay Area Discovery Museum suitable for children? | Yes, the museum is specifically designed for children aged 6 months to 8 years old. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Bay Area Discovery Museum? | Advance booking is highly recommended for weekends and special events to ensure entry. |
| Is the Bay Area Discovery Museum open on Sundays? | Yes, the museum is open on Sundays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. |
| Are bags allowed at the Bay Area Discovery Museum? | Yes, but there are no lockers. Complimentary cubbies are available for storing non-valuable items. |
Things to do near the Bay Area Discovery Museum
- Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point: A short drive up the hill offers panoramic views of the bridge and the San Francisco skyline.
- Marine Mammal Center: Located in the nearby Marin Headlands, this hospital rescues and rehabilitates sick and injured seals and sea lions.
- Point Bonita Lighthouse: A historic lighthouse accessible via a suspension bridge, offering views of the Pacific Ocean.
- Sausalito Waterfront: A 10-minute drive leads to downtown Sausalito, featuring waterfront dining, art galleries, and boutique shops.
- Muir Woods National Monument: Located 20 minutes north, this park is home to ancient coast redwood trees and multiple hiking trails.
More San Francisco travel
Other San Francisco travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Planning a visit to the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.
- Complete guide to day tours to Monterey and Carmel from San Francisco.
- What’s the point of the Wave Organ in San Francisco?
- Visitor guide to Fort Point by the Golden Gate Bridge.
- How to get the best out of the Asian Art Museum, Legion of Honor Museum and de Young Museum in San Francisco.
