The Bay Area Discovery Museum is one of those magical places where you can take your kids over and over again without ever getting bored.
This kids’ museum, located in Sausalito in Marin County, has been around for decades. Its current location at Fort Baker, just across the Golden Gate Bridge, is scenically beautiful, historic, and offers a perfect blend of indoor and outdoor fun.
BADM has classic sections like their indoor Bay Hall, which features a gigantic train table and a boat that has been there since our childhoods.
But they also have new attractions for kids, resulting from a multi-year capital campaign and building project. A new maker space, a “how things work” building, and other new sections tailored towards somewhat older kids are excellent.
Bean Sprouts Café sells creative kids’ meals at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, making it easy to go there as a destination and spend several hours without worrying about where to get lunch.
The Tot Spot, which was also redone several years ago, is a beautiful indoor space for the smallest kids. Gumnut Grove appeals to the other end of the age spectrum, with a tree-sized climbing structure that even tweens will love to clamber around.
As a parent, you’ll love that the Bay Area Discovery Museum has almost no screens, and gets your kids outside and running around. You’ll also love the incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Based on all this, we’re thrilled to choose the Bay Area Discovery Museum as our pick for the Bay Area’s Top Kids’ Museum for 2024. If you haven’t been before, you absolutely have to check it out.
The museum can be a bit pricey, but they do offer special discounted rates for families on several assistance programs. This is an inclusive place, and everyone can visit.
