Free Museum Days in San Francisco & the Bay Area: November 2026

San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park is free on the second Tuesday of the Month.

Looking for fun, free things to do with the kids this November? Explore some of the best museums and cultural attractions in San Francisco and the Bay Area for free. From world-class art museums to beautiful botanical gardens, there are plenty of family-friendly places to discover without spending a dime.

Check out our November 2026 free museum days below and plan your next family adventure!

Free Museum Days in November 2026: At a Glance

• Nov. 1 — Asian Art Museum

• Nov. 3 — de Young Museum, Legion of Honor & Conservatory of Flowers

• Nov. 4 — San Francisco Zoo & Gardens*

• Nov. 5 — Berkeley Art Museum (BAMPFA) & Museum of Craft and Design

• Nov. 7–8 — Bank of America Museums on Us*

• Nov. 8 — Oakland Museum of California

• Nov. 10 — San Francisco Botanical Garden

• Nov. 14 — Museum of the African Diaspora

• Nov. 26 — San Francisco Botanical Garden

• Every Saturday — de Young & Legion of Honor*

An asterisk () indicates that free admission is restricted to San Francisco residents, Bay Area residents, or eligible cardholders. See individual museum listings below for details.*

First Sunday — November 1

Asian Art Museum — San Francisco

Free admission: 10 am–5 pm

Address: 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Explore thousands of years of Asian art and culture at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Families can discover colorful artwork, fascinating sculptures, and cultural treasures from across Asia.

Special event: The museum celebrates Diwali on November 1 with special cultural activities and festivities from 10 am–4:30 pm.

General admission is free on the first Sunday of the month. Special exhibitions may require an additional fee.

First Tuesday — November 3

de Young Museum — San Francisco

Free admission: 9:30 am–5:15 pm

Address: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118

Located in Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum features an impressive collection of American and international art, textiles, and sculptures. Families can explore fascinating exhibits and enjoy the museum's beautiful surroundings.

General admission is free for everyone on the first Tuesday of each month. Special exhibitions may cost extra.

Legion of Honor — San Francisco

Free admission: 9:30 am–5:15 pm

Address: 100 34th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121

Discover thousands of years of art at the Legion of Honor, one of San Francisco's most beautiful museums. Explore European paintings, sculptures, and ancient artifacts, then take in spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay.

General admission is free for everyone on the first Tuesday of each month. Special exhibitions may cost extra.

Conservatory of Flowers — San Francisco

Free admission: 10 am–4:30 pm (last entry at 4 pm)

Address: 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118

Step inside a tropical paradise at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park! Families can explore lush greenery, colorful flowers, and exotic plants inside this historic Victorian greenhouse.

Admission is free for everyone on the first Tuesday of each month.

San Francisco Zoo & Gardens — San Francisco

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 9 am–3 pm

Address: Sloat Boulevard at the Great Highway, San Francisco, CA 94132

Enjoy a free family outing to the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens! Explore animal habitats, visit the penguins, giraffes, and other wildlife, and discover the zoo's family-friendly attractions.

Free admission for San Francisco residents only. Bring a government-issued ID showing your San Francisco address. One free admission is provided per qualifying ID. Additional restrictions may apply.

First Thursday — November 5

Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) — Berkeley

Free admission: 11 am–7 pm

Address: 2155 Center Street, Berkeley, CA 94704

Discover contemporary and historical art at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. Families can explore changing exhibitions and visit the museum's Art Lab, which offers opportunities for creative exploration.

Gallery admission is free on the first Thursday of each month. Film screenings may require separate tickets.

Museum of Craft and Design — San Francisco

Free admission: Noon–5 pm

Address: 2569 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

Explore the creative world of art, craft, and design at San Francisco's Museum of Craft and Design. Exhibitions feature everything from imaginative sculptures and furniture to innovative works made from unexpected materials.

Admission is free on the first Thursday of each month, subject to exhibition schedules.

Bank of America Museums on Us — November 7 & 8

Bank of America and Merrill credit or debit cardholders can enjoy free general admission to participating Bay Area museums during the first full weekend of each month.

Participating museums include:

• de Young Museum — San Francisco

• Legion of Honor — San Francisco

• Oakland Museum of California — Oakland

• San José Museum of Art — San José (Sunday only)

Important: Free admission is limited to one ticket per eligible cardholder. A valid Bank of America or Merrill card and photo ID are required. Additional family members are not automatically admitted for free.

Learn more about Bank of America's Museums on Us program.

Sunday, November 8

Oakland Museum of California — Oakland

Free admission: 11 am–5 pm

Address: 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94607

Explore California's fascinating history, art, and natural sciences at the Oakland Museum of California. Families can discover interactive exhibits, learn about California wildlife, and explore the museum's beautiful gardens.

The museum has announced free admission for Sunday, November 8, including special exhibitions. Advance reservations are encouraged.

Second Tuesday — November 10

San Francisco Botanical Garden — San Francisco

Free admission: 7:30 am–5 pm

Address: 1199 Ninth Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122

Enjoy a family nature adventure at the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. Explore winding pathways, beautiful gardens, towering trees, and thousands of plants from around the world.

Admission is free on the second Tuesday of each month.

Second Saturday — November 14

Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) — San Francisco

Free admission: 11 am–6 pm

Address: 685 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

Discover art, history, and culture at the Museum of the African Diaspora during its THRIVE @ MoAD Community Day. Families can explore thought-provoking exhibitions and learn about the diverse cultures and artistic traditions of the African diaspora.

Admission is free during this special community day.

Thanksgiving Day — Thursday, November 26

San Francisco Botanical Garden — San Francisco

Free admission: Check holiday hours before visiting

Address: 1199 Ninth Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122

Looking for a peaceful family outing on Thanksgiving? Enjoy a stroll through the beautiful San Francisco Botanical Garden, where families can explore scenic pathways and gardens filled with plants from around the world.

Admission is free on Thanksgiving Day.

Every Saturday — November 7, 14, 21 & 28

Free Admission for Bay Area Residents

Residents of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties can enjoy free general admission to two of San Francisco's most popular art museums every Saturday.

• de Young Museum — 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118

• Legion of Honor — 100 34th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121

Proof of Bay Area residency is required, and special exhibitions may cost extra.

More Ways to Visit Museums for Free

Can't make it on a free museum day? Marin County Free Library's Discover & Go program offers free or discounted passes to participating Bay Area museums and attractions. Check availability and reserve your passes online.

Looking for more family fun? Explore our Museums for Kids in Marin and the Bay Area guide for more great places to visit!