SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE.
Free Museum Days in San Francisco 2025
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: July 24, 2025
Many San Francisco museums offer free days at least once a month and it's a great way to visit if you are on a budget. During these days, you gain access to each museum's permanent exhibits.
Most of the monthly free admission days are on the first Sunday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.
While some museums offer a free day every month, a handful, such as the Exploratorium, offer free days just a couple of days a year.
I update this page frequently to reflect changes for each museum, so you know the information here is always up-to-date.
San Francisco Free Museum Days By Month
This is the sign that the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park posts out front on their free admission day.To make it easier, I've also created a monthly calendar for all of the San Francisco museums mentioned above. Scroll down or click on these links to jump ahead to a specific month.
In addition to the monthly free days at our local museums, there are also a few other programs that offer free and discounted admission days a certain times of the year.
These include the Bank of America Museums on Us, museums with Pay What You Wish Days, and the Blue Star Museums program. Find details for these free and discounted admission days here.
Free Admission by Museum
Here are the current free museum days for each SF museum, in alphabetical order. You can also scroll down to see a list of dates for each museum by month.
- Asian Art Museum: First Sunday of every month (sponsored by Northern California Kaiser Permanente)
- California Academy of Sciences: As of the summer of 2024, they no longer offer free days, but I hope they start them up again soon.
- Conservatory of Flowers: First Tuesday of every month
- Contemporary Jewish Museum: First Friday of every month (closed through December 2025)
- de Young: First Tuesday of every month and every Saturday for locals in the 9 Bay Area counties
- Exploratorium: Four to five times a year
- GLBT: First Wednesday of the month (sponsored by the Bob Ross Foundation)
- Japanese Tea Garden: Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for those that arrive between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
- Legion of Honor: First Tuesday of every month and every Saturday for locals in the 9 Bay Area counties
- Museo Italo Americano: Free every Thursday
- Museum of African Diaspora: Free on the second Saturday of every month for January and February, they will close from March 2025 - September 2025 for renovations and their free days will resume when they reopen in October 2025
- Museum of Craft and Design: This museum offers free admission to all visitors on the first Thursday of the month.
- SF Museum of Modern Art: Free the first Thursday of the month from Noon to 8 p.m. for locals in the 9 Bay Area Counties
- SF Botanical Gardens: Second Tuesday of every month, as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, & New Year's Day. They also offer free admission for anyone arriving daily at the Main Gate between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts: They offer free days every Wednesday and the second Sunday of the Month.
Daily & Weekly Free Museum Days in San Francisco
- de Young & Legion of Honor: All Bay Area residents receive free admission every Saturday to both of these museums.
- Japanese Tea Garden: They offer free admission for anyone who enters between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. San Francisco residents receive free admission daily with proof of residency.
- Botanical Garden: It's free for anyone that enters through the Main Gate between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. daily. San Francisco residents receive free admission daily with proof of residency.
- Museo Italo Americano: It's free to visit every Thursday. They are open from 12 pm to 4 pm on Thursdays.
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts: They offer free admission to their San Francisco museum every Wednesday and the second Sunday of the month.
- San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers: In addition to their monthly free day, San Francisco residents receive free admission every day with proof of residency.
>> Find a list of San Francisco museums that are always free
San Francisco and the Bay Area are also home to several always-free museums. You can find the latest list of free San Francisco museums. This is the most up-to-date list of free museums around the SF Bay Area.
July 2025
Every Wednesday in July
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Every Thursday in July
- Museo Italo Americano
Every Saturday in July is a Free Day for Bay Area Residents at the de Young and Legion of Honor
- July 26
SF Asian Art Museum: Special Free Admission in July
- Their third floor gallery is closed, so they are offering free admission through Monday, July 28
>> Popular San Francisco events in July
Tickets to Top SF Museums
Can't make it during these free museum admission days in San Francisco? You can pick up your tickets in advance to enjoy these museums during your stay.
Fun Things to Do Around San Francisco
August 2025
Beautiful flowers at the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco with free admission on the first Tuesday of the monthEvery Wednesday in August
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Every Thursday in August
- Museo Italo Americano
Every Saturday in August is a Free Day for Bay Area Residents at the de Young and Legion of Honor
- August 2
- August 9
- August 16
- August 23
- August 30
Saturday and Sunday, August 2 & 3
- Bank of America Museums on Us Free Days
Sunday, August 3
- SF Asian Art Museum
Tuesday, August 5
- Conservatory of Flowers
- de Young Museum
- Legion of Honor
Wednesday, August 6
- GLBT Museum
Thursday, August 7
- SF Museum of Modern Art, Noon to 8 p.m. for all Bay Area residents with an ID
- Museum of Craft and Design
Sunday, August 10
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Tuesday, August 12
- Botanical Garden
>> Popular San Francisco events in August
September 2025
Beautiful glass work at the de Young, which is part of what you'll see in their permanent collection on their monthly free day.Every Wednesday in September
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Every Thursday in September
- Museo Italo Americano
Every Saturday in September is a Free Day for Bay Area Residents at the de Young and Legion of Honor
- September 6
- September 13
- September 20
- September 27
Tuesday, September 2
- Conservatory of Flowers
- de Young Museum
- Legion of Honor
Wednesday, September 3
- GLBT Museum
Thursday, September 4
- SF Museum of Modern Art, Noon to 8 p.m. for all Bay Area residents with an ID
- Museum of Craft and Design
Saturday and Sunday, September 6 & 7
- Bank of America Museums on Us Free Days
Sunday, September 7
- SF Asian Art Museum
Tuesday, September 9
- Botanical Garden
Sunday, September 14
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
>> Popular San Francisco events in September
October 2025
Fascinating scrolls inside the San Francisco Asian Art Museum and part of what you can admire during their monthly free day.Every Wednesday in October
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Every Thursday in October
- Museo Italo Americano
Every Saturday in October is a Free Day for Bay Area Residents at the de Young and Legion of Honor
- October 4
- October 11
- October 18
- October 25
Wednesday, October 1
- GLBT Museum
Thursday, October 2
- SF Museum of Modern Art, Noon to 8 p.m. for all Bay Area residents with an ID
- Museum of Craft and Design
Saturday and Sunday, October 4 & 5
- Bank of America Museums on Us Free Days
Sunday, October 5
- SF Asian Art Museum
Tuesday, October 7
- Conservatory of Flowers
- de Young Museum
- Legion of Honor
Saturday, October 11
- Museum of the African Diaspora
Sunday, October 12
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Tuesday, October 14
- Botanical Garden
>> Popular San Francisco events in October
November 2025
One of my favorite pieces at the SF Museum of Modern Art and one you can enjoy during their monthly free day fro SF Bay Area residents.Every Wednesday in November
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Every Thursday in November
- Museo Italo Americano
Every Saturday in November is a Free Day for Bay Area Residents at the de Young and Legion of Honor
- November 1
- November 8
- November 15
- November 22
- November 29
Saturday and Sunday, November 1 & 2
- Bank of America Museums on Us Free Days
Sunday, November 2
- SF Asian Art Museum
Tuesday, November 4
- Conservatory of Flowers
- de Young Museum
- Legion of Honor
Wednesday, November 5
- GLBT Museum
Thursday, November 6
- SF Museum of Modern Art, Noon to 8 p.m. for all Bay Area residents with an ID
- Museum of Craft and Design
Saturday, November 8
- Museum of the African Diaspora
Sunday, November 9
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Tuesday, November 11
- Botanical Garden
Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day)
- Botanical Garden
>> Popular San Francisco events in November
December 2025
One of the exhibits in the permanent collection at the de Young and one you will have access to on their monthly free museum day in San Francisco.Every Wednesday in December
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Every Thursday in December
- Museo Italo Americano
Every Saturday in December is a Free Day for Bay Area Residents at the de Young and Legion of Honor
- December 6
- December 13
- December 20
- December 27
Tuesday, December 2
- Conservatory of Flowers
- de Young Museum
- Legion of Honor
Wednesday, December 3
- GLBT Museum
Thursday, December 4
- SF Museum of Modern Art, Noon to 8 p.m. for all Bay Area residents with an ID
- Museum of Craft and Design
Saturday and Sunday, December 6 & 7
- Bank of America Museums on Us Free Days
Sunday, December 7
- SF Asian Art Museum
Tuesday, December 9
- Botanical Garden
Saturday, December 13
- Museum of the African Diaspora
Sunday, December 14
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day)
- Botanical Garden
>> Popular San Francisco events in December
January 2026
January is a fantastic time to visit the Botanical Gardens, which is when the Magnolia trees are usually in peak bloom.Every Wednesday in January
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Every Thursday in January
- Museo Italo Americano
Every Saturday in January is a Free Day for Bay Area Residents at the de Young and Legion of Honor
- January 3
- January 10
- January 17
- January 24
- January 31
Thursday, January 1
- SF Botanical Garden
Saturday and Sunday, January 3 & 4
- Bank of America Museums on Us Free Days
Sunday, January 4
- SF Asian Art Museum
Tuesday, January 6
- Conservatory of Flowers
- de Young Museum
- Legion of Honor
Wednesday, January 7
- GLBT Museum
Thursday, January 8
- SF Museum of Modern Art, Noon to 8 p.m. for all Bay Area residents with an ID
- Museum of Craft and Design
Saturday, January 10
- Museum of the African Diaspora
Sunday, January 11
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Tuesday, January 13
- Botanical Garden
Monday, January 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday)
- Museum of the African Diaspora
>> Popular San Francisco events in January
February 2026
This is one of several pieces in the de Young's permanent collection that you will get to see on their free museum admission day.Every Wednesday in February
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Every Thursday in February
- Museo Italo Americano
Every Saturday in February is a Free Day for Bay Area Residents at the de Young and Legion of Honor
- February 7
- February 14
- February 21
- February 28
Sunday, February 1
- SF Asian Art Museum
Tuesday, February 3
- Conservatory of Flowers
- de Young Museum
- Legion of Honor
Wednesday, February 5
- GLBT Museum
Thursday, February 6
- SF Museum of Modern Art, Noon to 8 p.m. for all Bay Area residents with an ID
- Museum of Craft and Design
Saturday and Sunday, February 7 & 8
- Bank of America Museums on Us Free Days
Sunday, February 8
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Tuesday, February 10
- Botanical Garden
Saturday, February 14
- Museum of the African Diaspora
>> Popular San Francisco events in February
March 2026
A piece in the permanent collection at the SF Asian Art Museum that you can see when you visit on their free day, the first Sunday of every month.Every Wednesday in March
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Every Thursday in March
- Museo Italo Americano
Every Saturday in March is a Free Day for Bay Area Residents at the de Young and Legion of Honor
- March 7
- March 14
- March 21
- March 28
Sunday, March 1
- SF Asian Art Museum
Tuesday, March 3
- Conservatory of Flowers
- de Young Museum
- Legion of Honor
Wednesday, March 5
- GLBT Museum
Thursday, March 6
- SF Museum of Modern Art, Noon to 8 p.m. for all Bay Area residents with an ID
- Museum of Craft and Design
Saturday and Sunday, March 7 & 8
- Bank of America Museums on Us Free Days
Sunday, March 8
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Tuesday, March 10
- Botanical Garden
Saturday, March 14
- Museum of the African Diaspora
>> Popular San Francisco events in March
April 2026
Every Wednesday in April
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Every Thursday in April
- Museo Italo Americano
Every Saturday in April is a Free Day for Bay Area Residents at the de Young and Legion of Honor
- April 4
- April 11
- April 18
- April 25
Wednesday, April 1
- GLBT Museum
Thursday, April 2
- SF Museum of Modern Art, Noon to 8 p.m. for all Bay Area residents with an ID
- Museum of Craft and Design
Saturday and Sunday, April 4 & 5
- Bank of America Museums on Us Free Days
Sunday, April 5
- SF Asian Art Museum
Tuesday, April 7
- Conservatory of Flowers
- de Young Museum
- Legion of Honor
Saturday, April 11
- Museum of the African Diaspora
Sunday, April 12
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Tuesday, April 14
- Botanical Garden
>> Popular San Francisco events in April
May 2026
This is an example of the types of art you will find in the San Francisco Asian Art Museum. You have access to their permanent collection on their free days.Every Wednesday in May
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Every Thursday in May
- Museo Italo Americano
Every Saturday in May is a Free Day for Bay Area Residents at the de Young and Legion of Honor
- May 2
- May 9
- May 16
- May 23
- May 30
Saturday and Sunday, May 2 & 3
- Bank of America Museums on Us Free Days
Sunday, May 3
- SF Asian Art Museum
Tuesday, May 5
- Conservatory of Flowers
- de Young Museum
- Legion of Honor
Wednesday, May 6
- GLBT Museum
Thursday, May 7
- SF Museum of Modern Art, Noon to 8 p.m. for all Bay Area residents with an ID
- Museum of Craft and Design
Saturday, May 9
- Museum of the African Diaspora
Sunday, May 10
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Tuesday, May 12
- Botanical Garden
>> Popular San Francisco events in April
June 2026
A look inside one of the carnivorous plants at the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. They offer free admission on the first Tuesday of every month.Every Wednesday in June
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Every Thursday in June
- Museo Italo Americano
Every Saturday in June is a Free Day for Bay Area Residents at the de Young and Legion of Honor
- June 6
- June 13
- June 20
- June 27
Tuesday, June 2
- Conservatory of Flowers
- de Young Museum
- Legion of Honor
Wednesday, June 3
- GLBT Museum
Thursday, June 4
- SF Museum of Modern Art, Noon to 8 p.m. for all Bay Area residents with an ID
- Museum of Craft and Design
Saturday and Sunday, June 6 & 7
- Bank of America Museums on Us Free Days
Sunday, June 7
- SF Asian Art Museum
Tuesday, June 9
- Botanical Garden
Saturday, June 13
- Museum of the African Diaspora
Sunday, June 14
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
>> Popular San Francisco events in June
More Discounted and Free Admission Day Programs
Bank of American Museums on Us Free Days
Bank of America offers free museum days in San Francisco through their Museums on Us program. This program offers Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders free admission on the first full Saturday and Sunday of the month to the following SF museums:
- de Young Museum
- Legion of Honor
- Oakland Museum of California
- Computer History Museum in San Jose
Pay What You Wish Days
We also have two museums that offer Pay as You Wish Days.
Cartoon Art Museum: Visit on the first Tuesday of the month and pay what you wish. Here are the dates for 2025.
- August 5
- September 2
- October 7
- November 4
- December 2
2025 Blue Star Museums
The Blue Star Museums program is for active military personnel and their families, including the National Guard and Reserve.
It offers you the chance to get in free to local San Francisco and Bay Area Museums with your military ID.
It runs yearly from mid-May to Labor Day Weekend.
These are the museums participating in 2025.
- American Bookbinders Museum
- Children's Creativity Museum
- Chinese Culture Center of SF
- Guardians of the City First Responders Museum
- SF Museum of Modern Art
- Trulsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye
- Walt Disney Museum
More Free Things to Do in San Francisco
In addition to these free museum admission days, here are a few other free things to check out during your stay in San Francisco.
Lombard Street: Have you heard about San Francisco's famous crooked street? It's called Lombard Street and a fun place to check out during your visit. You can walk or drive down this famous street with eight hairpin turns. For those walking, you will find a set of stairs on both sides where you can watch others as they try to maneuver around each turn. Learn more about visiting Lombard Street in San Francisco.
Painted Ladies of Alamo Square: Another fun thing to do in San Francisco is to check out the famous Painted Ladies of Alamo Square. You will find them next to Alamo Square Park. They are six identical historic Victorians with a beautiful view of downtown SF behind them. Learn more about visiting Alamo Square here.
Street Art: One of the cool things about SF is that you will find street art all around town. My guide offers details on where to find the best pieces and which neighborhoods have the largest concentration. Learn more seeing the best San Francisco murals here.
Hi, I’m Jill!
I’ve been sharing San Francisco travel advice since 2009 and have helped millions of people explore the city like a local. Whether you’re dreaming of sea lions, cable cars, or a great sourdough bread bowl, I’m here to help you plan an unforgettable trip with real tips from someone who actually lives here.
 |
 |
 |
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who are familiar with the area.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!