Free Museum Days in the Bay Area: September 2026

Admission to the Oakland Museum of California is free on the first Sunday of the month.

Looking for fun, free things to do with the kids this September? Explore some of the Bay Area's best museums and cultural attractions for free! From world-class art museums to hands-on exhibits, there are plenty of family-friendly places to discover in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area. Since museums offer free admission on different days, you can plan several fun family outings without spending a dime!

Keep in mind that some museums charge extra for special exhibitions, even on free admission days. Advance reservations may be required, and some offers are limited to Bay Area residents. Group admission policies may also vary. Be sure to check with each museum before planning your visit.

First Tuesday of the Month—September 1

• de Young Museum
• Legion of Honor
• Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park

First Wednesday of the Month—September 2

• Bay Area Discovery Museum

First Thursday of the Month—September 3

• Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive

Every Saturday—September 5, 12, 19 & 26

Residents of the 9 San Francisco Bay Area counties receive free general admission to the de Young and Legion of Honor on Saturdays. Proof of residency required and admission fees apply for most special exhibitions.

• de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor

Bank of America Museums on Us—September 5 & 6

Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card holders get free general admission on the first full weekend of every month. Present your card and a photo ID for admission (one free general admission per cardholder). Get full details here. Participating museums include:

• de Young Museum
• Legion of Honor
• Oakland Museum of California
• Napa Valley Museum
• Computer History Museum
• San José Museum of Art
• The Tech Interactive

First Sunday of the Month—September 6

• Asian Art Museum
• Oakland Museum of California

Second Tuesday of the Month—September 8

• San Francisco Botanical Garden

Saturday, September 12

• Charles M. Schuiz Museum

If you can't make it to the museum on any of these free days, don't worry—the Marin County Free Library offers Discover & Go museum passes for patrons to check out. These passes provide free or discounted admission at many San Francisco Bay Area museums, including the Asian Art Museum, the Lawrence Hall of Science, the California Academy of Sciences, the Exploratorium, the Charles M. Schulz Museum, and more. You can even log in with your library card number and print a pass online! You can also check out passes to the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Visit their website for more information.