Bay Area Discovery Museum, San Francisco
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is incredible in many ways. First I want to mention the real estate alone. It is 7.5 acres near the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. This makes the views from outside quite stunning and the smell of the sea surrounds you everywhere. Also as a 1905 former Army post (Fort Baker), the spaces used for the different themed rooms are decommissioned bunkers. All this space makes the museum as a whole feel like its not too crowded. Local tip: the first Wednesday of each month admission is free.
The museum is designed for kids 6 months to 8 years old. There is a tot area for kids under 43″. It has places to crawl, soft things to climb on, and even cute bug-like clothing to wear for imaginative play. Other bunkers focus on art, theatre and there is even a permanent exhibition that focuses on waves and the sea. Outside is “lookout cove” with a huge play area including an old shipwrecked boat, planks, bridges, rope ladders, and a short beach trail. There is certainly something for every kid at this museum.
Note: Mondays it is closed, and the first Wednesday of each month is FREE
[...] The Bay Area Discovery Museum sits at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito. It uses former bunkers from its earlier days as Fort Baker to provide themed activity rooms. It offers plenty of hands-on activities for the younger crowd to touch and play with, as well as other ways school-aged reading kids can enjoy the space as well. Parking is plentiful, free, and very close to the museum. There aren’t many eating establishments nearby, but the cafe here has pretty good food. I have described this museum in more detail here. [...]