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Homeschool Discounts in California

Big-ticket California museums and attractions with homeschool discount days — typically 30–50% off for kids, sometimes free.

Updated May 2026 · 13 confirmed programs · 7 call-to-confirm

California's homeschool calendar is anchored across five metros. In Los Angeles, the Natural History Museum of LA County and La Brea Tar Pits both run themed Homeschool Days twice a year — free for the entire family. The California Science Center's $50/session program runs three single-day classes per year for ages 5–13. San Francisco's two science marquees both qualify on school field trip rates — California Academy of Sciences is free for SF homeschool groups (other CA groups $15.95/person), and Exploratorium charges $10/youth K-12 with one chaperone free per ten youth. The East Bay's Lawrence Hall of Science is $15/student school rate and UC Botanical Garden is $8/student. In San Diego, Balboa Park's museum row delivers four published-pricing group programs — USS Midway $10/student, theNAT $12/student, Birch Aquarium $15/student, and Air & Space $8/student. In the South Bay, The Tech Interactive in San Jose runs select-Wednesday Homeschool Days.

Beyond the published-pricing roster, the Petersen Automotive Museum in LA offers customizable K–12 homeschool group STEAM tours, the USS Iowa Museum in San Pedro welcomes homeschool families to STEAM at Sea field trips, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in San Diego runs both single-session and class-series homeschool programs, The Tech Interactive in San Jose runs Homeschool Days on select Wednesdays, the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach has run annual September Homeschool Days, Pasadena's Kidspace Children's Museum offers a 10+ group rate, and Berkeley's BAMPFA runs school-group visits Wed-Fri — all require contact for pricing. If a California venue near your trip runs a homeschool day and we missed it, email info@discovercheapus.com.

Confirmed homeschool pricing

Published price on the venue's own homeschool page — most under $20 per child.

Recurring
Twice a year
Spring + fall themed dates
Free
per kid · adult free

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Homeschool Days

Los Angeles · All ages · Not required — drop in any time during museum hours

NHM runs themed Homeschool Days twice a year — free general admission for the whole homeschool family, with special programming throughout the museum (welcome table with scavenger hunts, exploration stations, relaxation zones, themed activations around the day's topic). Spring 2026's Homeschool Day was April 9 with the "Unearthed: Raw Beauty" mineral exhibit theme. Sign up for the NHM Homeschool mailing list to catch upcoming dates.

Regular admission: $18 adult / $7 child 3–12 — 100% off — free entire family on these dates
Homeschool page at nhm.org →
Recurring
Twice a year
Morning 10am–12pm + afternoon 1–3pm sessions, themed
Free
per kid · adult free

La Brea Tar Pits Homeschool Days

Los Angeles · All ages · Required — register via tarpits.org Homeschool Days page

La Brea Tar Pits runs themed Homeschool Days twice a year, with drop-in morning programming (10am–12pm) and a separate afternoon block (1–3pm) after the lunch break. Past themes include All About Tar, La Brea's Ice Age Ecosystems, Nocturnal Nature, and Terrific Taphonomy. Activities range from discovery tables with staff scientists to crafts, movies and shows, and active-fossil-lab viewing. Most programming is drop-in once you're on site.

Regular admission: $18 adult / $7 child 3–12 — 100% off — free entire family on these dates
Homeschool page at tarpits.org →
When
3 dates per year
Recent: Feb 24, Mar 24, Apr 28 2026 — 2026–27 dates open in fall
$50
per kid · adult Per student per session

California Science Center Homeschool Days

Los Angeles · 5–7, 8–10, or 11–13 (grouped by age band) · Required — enroll online at californiasciencecenter.org

California Science Center runs three Homeschool Days per year, each a single-day 2.5-hour facilitated class focused on a science theme — recent topics: Get Down With Gravity, Bugs and Botany, Exploring Engineering. Students are grouped by age band into morning or afternoon sessions led by Center educators in the Big Lab. Includes hands-on activities, mini STEAM demonstrations, and access to Drop-In Labs. The Center's permanent exhibit halls remain free to explore the rest of the day.

Regular admission: Free general admission to the museum (Homeschool Days are facilitated programs on top) — Members save $5 per session
Homeschool page at californiasciencecenter.org →
Year-round
Year-round Mon–Sat
10am–5pm, last admission 4pm
$10
per kid · adult free

USS Midway Museum — Student & Youth Group Visits

San Diego · Grades K–12 · Required at least 1 week in advance — submit form at midway.org

USS Midway Museum offers a published education discount for school and youth groups — including explicitly named home schools — at $10/student, $20/adult for out-of-ratio adults. 10-student minimum, 200-student maximum, 1:10 chaperone ratio. Visit includes self-guided audio tour and access to all decks. Single-day format during normal museum hours. Phone 619-398-8271 for purchase orders or special requests.

Regular admission: $36 adult / $26 youth 6–12 — Roughly 70% off adult admission
Homeschool page at midway.org →
Year-round
Tue–Fri during school year
By reservation
$12
per kid · adult free

San Diego Natural History Museum (theNAT) Field Trips

San Diego · K–12 (grade-specific programs available) · Required — register via sdnhm.org

The San Diego Natural History Museum offers $12-per-student field trips Tuesday through Friday during the school year. Programs include self-guided gallery exploration, docent-led workshops, and tours. 10-student minimum with grade-level-specific chaperone ratios. Single-day format. Reservations through the museum's field trip registration page. Note: Bookings for the 2026–27 school year open in fall 2026.

Regular admission: ~$24 adult general admission — Roughly 50% off adult admission
Homeschool page at sdnhm.org →
Year-round
Year-round on offered dates
Pre-registration required
$15
per kid · adult free

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Self-Guided Field Trip

San Diego (La Jolla) · All school ages · Required — book via Birch Aquarium School Programs eTicketing

Birch Aquarium at Scripps offers Self-Guided Visits for school and youth groups at $15 per student, with adults within the chaperone ratio admitted free. Pre-registration required. Single-day format during regular aquarium hours. Activity sheets provided for student learning. Field trip is structured as group exploration rather than a docent-led tour. Summer 2026 dates open May 23–September 7.

Regular admission: $39.95 walk-up adult / $34.95 child — Roughly 60% off child admission
Homeschool page at aquarium.ucsd.edu →
Year-round
Mon–Fri school year
By advance reservation
$8
per kid · adult $12 out-of-ratio

San Diego Air & Space Museum School & Youth Group

San Diego · PK–12 (age-banded tour topics) · Required at least 48 hours ahead — submit Group Visit Request Form

San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park offers school-group field trips at $8/student (10+ minimum) with self-guided gallery exploration of historic aircraft. Add-on options: $3/student for a 30-minute educator-led tour by grade band (World of Color, Winged Wonders, Animals in Aviation, Careers & Heroes, Aviators Showcase), or $5/student for an interactive workshop. Title 1 scholarship bus funding available.

Regular admission: $25 adult / $18 youth 3–11 — Roughly 60% off general admission
Homeschool page at sandiegoairandspace.org →
Year-round
Tue–Fri school year
Dates assigned by reservation
$15.95
per kid · adult free

California Academy of Sciences School Field Trip

San Francisco · Pre-K through 12 · Required — apply at calacademy.org/educators/plan-a-trip

California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park — the world's largest natural history museum under one roof, with the Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, Osher Rainforest, and Kimball Natural History Museum — offers field trip rates for school and homeschool groups. The 2024-25 rate is $15.95/person for non-SF California groups, free for SF groups. Pricing may change seasonally — confirm at booking. Single-day format during normal Academy hours.

Regular admission: $44.95 adult / $36.95 child general admission — Roughly 65% off general admission for CA groups; 100% off for SF groups
Homeschool page at calacademy.org →
Year-round
Tuesday–Friday
2026-27 season Sept 22, 2026 – June 4, 2027
$10
per kid · adult free

Exploratorium School Field Trip

San Francisco · Grades K–12 (children 3 & under free) · Required — book via reserve@exploratorium.edu or online form

Exploratorium at Pier 15 is San Francisco's hands-on science and perception museum — 700+ exhibits, the Tactile Dome, the Bay Observatory, and a Pacific-facing waterfront promenade. The school field trip program runs Tuesday-Friday during the school year and admits homeschool co-ops under the same rate ($10/youth, 1 adult free per 10 youth). Single-day group format. 2026-27 season Sept 22 to June 4; reservations open July 1.

Regular admission: $39.95 adult / $29.95 youth general admission — Roughly 75% off adult admission
Homeschool page at exploratorium.edu →
Year-round
Mon, Thu, Fri mornings
By reservation
Free
per kid · adult free

Norton Simon Museum School Tours

Pasadena · Grades 5–12 for educator-led; K–12 self-guided · Required — submit School Tour Request Form on nortonsimon.org

Norton Simon Museum's free school tour program is a strong fit for homeschool co-ops with 5th-12th graders. Museum Educator-led 60-minute interactive tours focus on specific collection areas; up to 80 students per tour; Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays only. Free self-guided K-12 school tours run anytime during open hours with advance reservation. Children 18 and under already free for regular admission daily.

Regular admission: $20 adult / $15 senior / Free 18 & under daily — 100% off
Homeschool page at nortonsimon.org →
Recurring
Annual (typically July)
Last event Oct 20, 2025; next July 20, 2026
Free
per kid · adult free

Descanso Gardens Homeschool Day

Pasadena (La Cañada Flintridge, 5 mi) · All school ages · Required — register via descansogardens.org

Descanso Gardens (5 miles north of Pasadena in La Cañada Flintridge) runs an annual Homeschool Day with free admission for students plus one adult per student, plus education materials throughout the 150-acre gardens. October 2025 was the last event; next scheduled July 20, 2026. The 9:30-11:30am timing favors morning visits. Single-day drop-in once registered. Free parking.

Regular admission: $18 adult / $14 senior + student / $8 child 3-12 — 100% off for students + 1 adult per student
Homeschool page at descansogardens.org →
Year-round
Wed-Sun (school year) / Mon-Sun (summer)
10am-5pm
$15
per kid · adult free

Lawrence Hall of Science School Field Trip

Berkeley · Pre-K to grade 12 · Required — lawrenceinfo@berkeley.edu

UC Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science school field trip program is the Bay Area's marquee homeschool fit at $15/student (12 student min). Self-guided exploration of all exhibits including the Karplus Outdoor Nature Lab, the planetarium, Pheena the Fin Whale, and the Cambrian Explosion gallery. Optional add-ons for 3D film or planetarium ($5 each). Single-day group format during normal hours. Transportation scholarships available for the 9 Bay Area counties.

Regular admission: $25 general / $5 on periodic Five Dollar Days — Roughly 40% off general admission
Homeschool page at lawrencehallofscience.org →
Year-round
School year, by reservation
$100 minimum to book
$8
per kid · adult free

UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley Youth Tours

Berkeley · Pre-K through 12 (children must be at least 4) · Required — submit Pre-K-12 youth tour form on botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu

UC Berkeley's Botanical Garden offers $8/student docent-led youth tours aligned to Next Generation Science Standards. Tour options include 'Plant Wonders: A Sensory Walk' (Pre-K-1st), 'Discovering the World of Plants' (all grades), 'Pollination,' 'Trees in the Garden,' 'Plant Evolution,' and 'California Plant Communities.' Picnic lunch in the garden permitted with prior approval. Free chaperone admission. April-May 2026 dates are already nearly full; book early.

Regular admission: $18 adult / $12 senior / $8 youth 5-17 — Roughly 55% off adult admission
Homeschool page at botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu →

Worth calling about

These venues run homeschool programs but don't publish pricing online. Call before you go.

When
Year-round by appointment
Call
no public price

Petersen Automotive Museum — Youth Group & Homeschool Tours

Los Angeles · K–12 (customizable) · Required — submit inquiry form via petersen.org

Petersen Automotive Museum books guided 75-minute STEAM-based tours for youth and homeschool groups year-round, fully customizable to K–12 ages and aligned with California curriculum standards. The tour uses the automobile as a lens into history, social studies, art, and STEM. Title 1 school assistance available. Submit the General Inquiries form and the School Programs Coordinator responds within 3–5 business days with dates and pricing. Email: schooltours@petersen.org

Regular admission: $21 adult / $13 child 4–17
How to reach them: Pricing not published on the Petersen's own site — group tour rates for school and homeschool groups are quoted after the inquiry form. Educators get free general admission with school/institute ID.
Homeschool page at petersen.org →
When
Daytime field trips year-round + overnight Camp Battleship
Call
no public price

USS Iowa Museum — STEAM at Sea & Camp Battleship

Los Angeles (San Pedro) · Grades 2–8 for STEAM at Sea; mixed for Camp Battleship · Required — inquiry form at pacificbattleship.com

Battleship USS Iowa Museum in San Pedro runs NGSS-aligned STEAM at Sea daytime field trips for grades 2–8, plus the popular Camp Battleship overnight where families sleep in actual sailor berthing racks. Both programs welcome homeschool groups (the page explicitly lists "home school" alongside scouts and traveling groups). Single-day field trip format; overnight is a single-night commitment. Camp Battleship accommodates up to 180 participants per night. Phone 877-446-9261 ext. 706 or email groupsales@labattleship.com.

Regular admission: $25 adult / $19 child 6–17 general admission
How to reach them: Pricing for STEAM at Sea (grades 2–8) and Camp Battleship overnight stays is quoted after the inquiry form. Homeschool groups are explicitly welcomed alongside scouts, JROTC, YMCA, church, and traveling groups.
Homeschool page at pacificbattleship.com →
When
Year-round on request
Call
no public price

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center — Home School Classes

San Diego · Ages 3-5 (Young Scientists), 6-10 (Junior Science Clubs), 10-14 (Science Clubs) · Required — contact clientservices@rhfleet.org

The Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park runs online and on-site homeschool lessons led by their education team. Each lesson is 60 minutes. Topics include Weather Instruments, Water Works, Density, and Geology Rocks across three age bands (3-5 Young Scientists; 6-10 Junior Science Clubs; 10-14 Science Clubs). Options include single sessions (drop-in single-day format) or 5-class/8-class series (skip the series — class-format curricula don't fit the drop-in tier). Contact required for pricing.

Regular admission: $24 adult / $20 child general admission
How to reach them: Per-class pricing not published on the Fleet's site. Single-session bookings or 5-class / 8-class series available. The dedicated home-school-classes page is on the legacy rhfleet.org domain which currently has an expired SSL certificate; current operator URL is fleetscience.org. Contact clientservices@rhfleet.org with desired date(s) and phone number for a quote.
Homeschool page at fleetscience.org →
Recurring
Select Wednesdays
2025–26 program concluded; 2026–27 dates pending
Call
no public price

The Tech Interactive Homeschool Days

San Jose · K–12 (mixed-age workshops) · Required — contact The Tech education team

The Tech Interactive in downtown San Jose runs Homeschool Days on select Wednesdays each school year, with mini STEAM demonstrations led by Tech educators, hands-on Drop-In Labs, special homeschool workshops, and full self-guided access to all exhibits. Single-day drop-in format. The 2025–26 program has concluded; check thetech.org/explore/upcoming-events/homeschool-days-at-the-tech-interactive/ for 2026–27 dates as they're announced.

Regular admission: $38 adult / $28 child 3-17, student, or senior
How to reach them: Pricing for Homeschool Days is not published on The Tech's Homeschool page — general admission is $38 adult / $28 child 3-17 + students + seniors, but the HS Days rate may differ. Subscribe to the educator newsletter at thetech.org for upcoming dates and pricing announcements.
Homeschool page at thetech.org →
When
Annually in September
Last event Sept 12, 2025 (sold out); 2026 dates pending
Call
no public price

Aquarium of the Pacific Homeschool Days

Long Beach · K–12 (mixed-age program) · Required — purchase in advance once dates are posted

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach has run an annual Homeschool Day in September, where homeschool networks, students, parents, and teachers visit with no classroom-based school trips booked for the day — aquarium educators staff learning stations with ocean-related activities and biofacts throughout the public galleries. The 2025 event was sold out; the 2026 announcement typically comes mid-summer. Single-day drop-in format during normal aquarium hours.

Regular admission: $44.95 adult / $34.95 child 3-11 / Free under 3
How to reach them: The Aquarium of the Pacific's Homeschool Days page is currently archived showing the Sept 12, 2025 event as the most recent. The program has historically run annually in September with paid tickets (~$9/person in older years). Regular general admission is $44.95 adult / $34.95 child 3-11. Watch aquariumofpacific.org/events for the 2026 event announcement.
Homeschool page at aquariumofpacific.org →
Year-round
Tue-Sun by reservation
10+ group minimum
Call
no public price

Kidspace Children's Museum Group Visits

Pasadena · 0-10 (engaging at any age) · Required — submit Group Inquiry form on kidspacemuseum.org

Kidspace Children's Museum in Brookside Park offers discounted group admission for 10+ visitors booked in advance — a fit for homeschool co-ops. 1 adult per 5 children minimum chaperone ratio. The 3.5-acre outdoor-focused campus includes water play, ant hill climb, Bug Diner, Imagination Workshop, and the Robert Irwin entry garden. Per-person pricing not published online; contact museum Customer Service for current group rate.

Regular admission: $15.50 adults & children / $13.50 seniors 62+ / Free under 1
How to reach them: Discounted group rate for 10 or more, booked in advance. Per-person pricing not published on the Kidspace site — contact Customer Service to plan. Requires at least 1 adult per 5 children. Group rates not available to walk-up guests. Regular admission is $15.50 adults & children.
Homeschool page at kidspacemuseum.org →
Year-round
Wednesday-Friday
11am-5pm, by reservation
Call
no public price

BAMPFA School & Youth Group Visits

Berkeley · Grade-flexible school and youth groups · Required — email sgvisits@berkeley.edu

BAMPFA's school and youth group visits cover the contemporary art galleries plus optional Pacific Film Archive screenings. Groups of 6+ welcome Wed-Fri 11am-5pm. The first-Thursday free-day pathway is the no-reservation budget option for homeschool families — galleries free for everyone with no advance booking. Pricing for guided group tours requires contact.

Regular admission: $18 general / $12 senior+student / Free first Thursday monthly
How to reach them: Pricing not published on BAMPFA's group visit page. Group visits for school and youth groups of 6 or more available Wednesdays-Fridays. Submit reservation request at least two weeks before visit; follow up to sgvisits@berkeley.edu if no reply in 3 business days. Galleries are free for everyone on first Thursday of each month — homeschool co-ops can drop in free that day without a reservation.
Homeschool page at bampfa.org →

Plus more free and cheap educational outings in California

Already on DiscoverCheapUS — free and low-cost California attractions homeschool families plan whole field-trip days around.

Los Angeles

11 free or cheap
  • Griffith ObservatoryFree (planetarium shows $10 adults / $8 children 5-12)
  • The BroadFree general admission
  • Getty CenterFree admission / Parking $25 ($15 after 3pm / $10 after 6pm)
  • Walt Disney Concert HallFree self-guided audio tour
  • California African American MuseumFree admission
  • La Brea Tar Pits & Museum$18 adults / $7 children 3-12 / Free under 3 / LA County residents free M-F 3-5pm
  • Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County$18 adults / $7 children 3-12 / Free under 3 / LA County residents free M-F 3-5pm
  • California Science CenterFree general admission / Endeavour Experience $4-8 timed tickets
  • El Pueblo de Los Angeles & Olvera StreetFree entry to the plaza, Olvera Street, and most museums
  • Union StationFree
  • Watts TowersFree to view from outside / Guided tours $12 / $6 seniors & students / Free minors
See all Los Angeles attractions →

Long Beach

9 free or cheap
  • Rancho Los Cerritos Historic SiteFree (donations appreciated)
  • Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch & GardensFree
  • Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden (CSULB)Free (reservation required)
  • East Village Arts DistrictFree
  • Long Beach Museum of Art$12 adults / $10 students+seniors / Free under 12 / Half-price Fridays / Free Thursday evenings
  • Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)$15 adults / $10 students+seniors / Free under 12 / Free 1st Sunday of every month
  • El Dorado Nature CenterTrails free / Vehicle entry $6 weekday / $7 Friday / $8 weekend / $9 holiday
  • Queen Mary (harbor walk view)Free to walk the harborfront and photograph the exterior / Tours from $45
  • Billie Jean King Main LibraryFree
See all Long Beach attractions →

Pasadena

13 free or cheap
  • Pasadena City HallFree
  • Colorado Street BridgeFree
  • Caltech CampusFree
  • Bungalow Heaven Historic DistrictFree to walk
  • Tournament House (Wrigley Mansion)Free tours / Free gardens year-round
  • Gamble House$15 adults / $12 seniors+students / Free under 12
  • Norton Simon Museum$20 adults / $15 seniors 62+ / Free 18 and under daily / Free students with ID / Free first Fridays 4-7pm
  • Pasadena Museum of History$9 adults / $7 seniors 62+ / Free under 18 / Free PMH members + students
  • USC Pacific Asia Museum$15 general / $12 seniors / $9 students 15+ / Free 14 & under / Free every Second Sunday
  • Kidspace Children's Museum$15.50 adults & children 1+ / $13.50 seniors 62+ / Free under 1 / Free members
  • Castle GreenFree exterior view
  • Descanso Gardens (La Cañada, 5 mi)$18 adults / $14 seniors 65+ / $14 students / $8 children 3-12 / Free under 3 + members
  • Vroman's BookstoreFree entry / Free author events
See all Pasadena attractions →

San Diego

11 free or cheap
  • Balboa ParkFree entry to the park (museums separately ticketed)
  • Cabrillo National Monument$20 per vehicle (7-day pass) / $10 walk-in / Free under 16
  • Old Town San Diego State Historic ParkFree
  • Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá$8 adults / $5 senior/military/student / $3 children 6-12 (free for Mass)
  • Mormon Battalion Historic SiteFree
  • Spreckels Organ PavilionFree outdoor concerts
  • Timken Museum of ArtFree admission
  • Village Arts Center (Spanish Village)Free admission
  • Gaslamp QuarterFree to walk
  • Hotel del CoronadoFree to walk lobby, grounds & beach side
  • Sunny Jim Sea Cave$13 adults / $7 youth 3-17 / Free under 3
See all San Diego attractions →

San Francisco

14 free or cheap
  • Golden Gate BridgeFree to walk
  • Painted Ladies at Alamo SquareFree
  • Pier 39 Sea LionsFree
  • Coit TowerFree to walk grounds & murals lobby / Elevator $11 adult non-resident, $8 SF resident
  • Lands End Trail & Sutro Baths RuinsFree
  • Crissy Field & Palace of Fine ArtsFree
  • San Francisco Cable Car MuseumFree
  • Asian Art Museum$20 adults / $17 seniors 65+ / $14 students+youth 13-17 / Free 12 & under / Free First Sundays
  • de Young Museum$20 adults / $17 seniors / $11 students / Free 17 & under / Free Saturdays for Bay Area residents through Dec 31, 2026 / Free first Tuesdays
  • Mission Dolores~$10 suggested donation adults / ~$5 students (no fixed admission)
  • ChinatownFree
  • Balmy Alley MuralsFree
  • North Beach (Little Italy)Free
  • Japanese Tea Garden (Golden Gate Park)$15 adults / $7 seniors 65+ & youth 12-17 / $3 children 5-11 / Free under 5 / Free Mon, Wed, Fri 9-10am
See all San Francisco attractions →

Berkeley

10 free or cheap
  • UC Berkeley CampusFree
  • Sather Tower (Campanile)$6 general / $5 seniors 65+, youth 3-17, CAA members / Free UC Berkeley affiliates
  • Lawrence Hall of Science$25 general / $5 on periodic Five Dollar Days
  • UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley$18 adults / $12 seniors 65+ & non-Berkeley students / $8 youth 5-17 / Free under 5
  • BAMPFA (Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive)$18 general / $12 seniors+students / Free first Thursday monthly / Free UC Berkeley affiliates
  • Tilden Regional ParkFree (some paid amenities: Merry-Go-Round $3.50; Lake Anza summer swim ~$4)
  • Berkeley Rose GardenFree
  • Berkeley Central LibraryFree
  • Tilden Park Steam Trains (Redwood Valley Railway)~$5 per ride / Free under 2
  • Berkeley Art CenterFree
See all Berkeley attractions →

San Jose

13 free or cheap
  • Japanese Friendship GardenFree entry
  • San Jose Municipal Rose GardenFree
  • Heritage Rose GardenFree
  • Cathedral Basilica of St. JosephFree entry / Suggested $5 donation for guided tour
  • South First Fridays (SoFA District)Free
  • History Park at Kelley ParkFree entry (some special-event days have separate fees)
  • San Jose Museum of Art$20 adults / $15 seniors / Free 17 and under / Free first Friday evenings
  • Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum$15 adults / $12 senior 65+ / $12 student / $10 children 7-17 / Free 6 & under
  • Mexican Heritage PlazaFree entry (most events free; some ticketed performances)
  • New Almaden Quicksilver Mining MuseumFree (~$2 donation suggested)
  • Intel Museum (Santa Clara)Free
  • Mission Santa Clara de AsísFree
  • Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose$18 adults & children / Free under 1 / $5 EBT/SNAP/CalFresh (up to 4)
See all San Jose attractions →

Sacramento

8 free or cheap
  • California State Capitol & Capitol ParkFree
  • Old Sacramento Waterfront Historic DistrictFree walking
  • Crocker Art Museum (free admission days)Free with EBT card; Pay What You Wish 3rd Sundays
  • Sutter's Fort State Historic Park$5 adults, $3 kids 6-17, under 6 free
  • California State Railroad Museum$12 adults / $6 youth (6–17) / Free under 6
  • The California Museum$10 adults / $8.50 senior/student / $6 youth (6–17) / Free under 6
  • California Automobile Museum$14 adults / $12 senior/military/student / $8 youth (6–17) / Free under 6
  • Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic ParkFree
See all Sacramento attractions →

San Luis Obispo

6 free or cheap
  • Mission San Luis Obispo de TolosaFree (donations welcomed)
  • San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA)Free admission
  • History Center of San Luis Obispo CountyFree (donations welcomed)
  • Poly Canyon (Architectural Graveyard)Free
  • Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly GroveFree
  • San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden$10 adults / Free 12 & under
See all San Luis Obispo attractions →

Monterey

4 free or cheap
  • Cannery RowFree to walk
  • Monterey State Historic ParkFree (some interior tours require advance reservations)
  • Point Pinos LighthouseDonation suggested (~$5 adults / Free under 12)
  • San Carlos Cathedral (Royal Presidio Chapel)Free
See all Monterey attractions →

Santa Barbara

5 free or cheap
  • Old Mission Santa Barbara$17 adults / $12 youth 5–17 / Free under 5 / SNAP EBT $3
  • Stearns WharfFree to walk
  • Santa Barbara County CourthouseFree
  • A.C. Postel Memorial Rose GardenFree
  • The Funk Zone Arts DistrictFree
See all Santa Barbara attractions →

See all 160 California attractions on the directory →