We are fortunate to have many options for activities for our children here in the Bay Area. It\u2019s
always fun to explore and try new adventures. A wonderful museum that my children have
enjoyed over the years is the Bay Area Discovery Museum, located in Sausalito, California.
The museum is an amazing location: it occupies old military buildings on prime real estate at the
foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. From the moment you park the car, you are provided a one-
million dollar view of San Francisco and its iconic bridge. Most patrons stop to take pictures of
their children with this National Landmark in the background. It makes fantastic Holiday
Photos!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a one-of-a-kind destination for children that focuses on
creative play for early learners. It provides interactive exhibits designed to nurture creativity and
discovery. Each building on the property houses different interactive exhibits. Some buildings
are tailored to the tiny-tots while others are for slightly older children. The facility offers seven
galleries with over 500 exhibits. Some other highlights include a two-story treehouse, the
Engineering and Design Lab, a Maker Studio, and an outdoor play area. The museum is mostly
geared for children ages 6 months to 10 years of age, but many teenagers will also enjoy the
exhibits when tagging along with younger children.
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What I love about the Bay Area Discovery Museum is the fact that there are so many senses that
area awakened with the thought-out displays. Each exhibit is truly unique and a fantastic blend
of interactive exhibits, activities, events, and programs. For both children and adults alike, it\u2019s
easy to let the imagination run wild! It truly is a place where creativity and learning go hand-in-
hand. The interactive exhibits, activities, events, and programs are designed to inspire curious
minds. Many of the exhibits are STEM-focused (science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics).
For families that live in the area, the Bay Area Discovery Museum offers summer and holiday
camps. These classes are arranged by age, and they offer a variety of activities, which may range
from robotics and coding to cooking, painting and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I recommend planning your visit for a day when it isn\u2019t raining. Even though most of the exhibits
are indoors, patrons must walk outdoors from one building to the other. Dress warm and in
layers. Fog is often sitting over the entrance to the bay, and this cool damp air is quite chilly.
There are many outdoor exhibits, and children gravitate to the outdoor space to work out their
wiggles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My children\u2019s favorite exhibit is the room with the crab boat. The room is arranged in an open
two-level structure. Once climbing the short set of stairs, there is a boat to explore and a pulley
system for bringing crabs up to the landing. There are also fishing poles on the boat. This is a
popular area, and children on the floor are seen helping the children on the boat ramp area by
loading and exchanging crabs as well as helping to hook fish onto the fishing lines. It\u2019s cute to
watch, and it promotes interactive play. On the ground level, there are multiple exhibits for
hands-on, including a toy crane, a large train table, and a tunnel to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another popular area that my children enjoy is the outdoor park, which includes a two-story
treehouse. The museum sits on 7.5 acres of National Park Land, so there is a large area within
the museum boundary where children can run and explore. Because of the location by the
Golden Gate, parents often want to usher the children back into one of the buildings due to the
wind and cool temperatures. However, if dressed correctly, this is an area that is super fun and
can easily become a main focus of the visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are an out-of-town visitor, consider making Sausalito an overnight or multi-night stay.
Sausalito is an amazing town to explore, and you will not be disappointed. The entire town has
stunning views of the bay, as well as many beaches and parks. There are plenty of activities to
explore in Sausalito, such as sailing and kayaking, visiting the local wildlife preserve and visiting
downtown for a variety of shops, restaurants and attractions. Sausalito is also close to Tiburon,
where the ferry boat can be accessed for visits to Angel Island and the San Francisco Wharf. If
you’re looking to explore more of the area while in Sausalito, consider taking a day trip to nearby
attractions such as Muir Woods National Monument or Stinson Beach.
If an overnight stay is not feasible, you should at least make a trip to the Bay Area Discovery
Museum. And, definitely allow enough time to properly explore this incredible destination.
Currently, the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It is open Wednesday – Sunday: 10
a.m. \u2013 4 p.m. The average entry fee is about $20 per person. Parking is free. Public
transportation is not ideal, as there is about a one mile walk to the museum from the nearest bus
stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are fortunate to have many options for activities for our children here in the Bay Area. It\u2019salways fun to explore and try new adventures. A wonderful museum that my children haveenjoyed over the years is the Bay Area Discovery Museum, located in Sausalito, California.The museum is an amazing location: it occupies old military buildings … <\/p>\n