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Exploratorium Museum, Pier 15 overlooking SF Bay, San Francisco © LoveToEatAndTravel.com

Top 10+ Favorite Things at San Francisco Exploratorium and Videos

Home » Blog » Top 10+ Favorite Things at San Francisco Exploratorium and Videos
 

We just visited the Exploratorium’s spectacular new waterfront location on Pier 15, overlooking San Francisco Bay – it opened on April 17, 2013. The Exploratorium Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception (a $300m project) is triple the size of its former location at the Palace of Fine Arts and has more outdoor space, offering breathtaking views of S.F. Bay.  Guaranteed to bring out the kid in you, the hands-on interactive Exploratorium is a FUN place to explore with your family and friends when visiting San Francisco – check out our favorite things below:

San Francisco Exploratorium

 1. Bay Observatory Gallery

Enjoy stunning views from the Bay Observatory Gallery – its floor-to-ceiling windows overlook beautiful San Francisco Bay, Treasure Island and the Oakland Bay Bridge. Take a picture in silhouette as a memento of your visit.

Exploratorium Bay Observatory, overlooking SF Bay, San Francisco © LoveToEatAndTravel.com
Exploratorium Bay Observatory, overlooking SF Bay, San Francisco © LoveToEatAndTravel.com

 2. Recollections Exhibit (or what we like to call the “Psychedelic Room”) – Video

Go back to the 60s and 70s as you create vivid, life-size, computer-generated images of yourself moving and dancing in psychedelic colors on the wall – it’s a blast from the past! 

 3. “Rolling Through San Francisco” Toothpick Sculpture

What an amazing piece of work! It took Scott Weaver 37 years to make the “Rolling Through San Francisco” Toothpick Sculpture using 100,000 toothpicks and Elmer’s Glue.

Toothpick Sculpture at Exploratorium, San Francisco © LoveToEatAndTravel.com
Toothpick Sculpture at Exploratorium, San Francisco © LoveToEatAndTravel.com

 4. Giant Curved Mirror

Originally made for a flight simulator in Germany, this Giant Curved Mirror reflects your image upside down and on the reverse side – fascinating exhibit to see how your perception of movement changes. This makes a fun group photo of your family and friends.

Having fun posing in front of Giant Curved Mirror at the San Francisco Exploratorium - © LoveToEatAndTravel.com
Having fun posing in front of Giant Curved Mirror at the San Francisco Exploratorium – © LoveToEatAndTravel.com

 5. Shadow Box
Bring out the kid in you at the Shadow Box exhibit where you can freeze your shadow on the wall and capture a moment in time.

Exploratorium exhibits - Shadow Box - San Francisco © LoveToEatAndTravel.com
Exploratorium exhibits – Shadow Box – San Francisco © LoveToEatAndTravel.com

 6. Kaleidoscope

Ever wondered what it would be like to be inside a Kaleidoscope? Now’s your chance. Duck under the three-sided wood exhibit and stand inside the middle of the Kaleidoscope – its three 4’x6′ mirrors, joined at 60 degree angles, reflect your image into infinity. Fun for all ages!

 7. Tornado Exhibit

The 18-foot Tornado Exhibit is a long time visitor favorite. Put your hand in the vapor (go ahead… it’s painless) and watch as it disrupts the tornado.

Exploratorium "Tornado" exhibit, San Francisco © LoveToEatAndTravel.com
Exploratorium “Tornado” exhibit, San Francisco © LoveToEatAndTravel.com

 8. Water Fountain Toilet – “a sip of conflict”

Hey… when you’re thirsty! The Water Fountain Toilet (or what we Brits might call the Loo Water Fountain) is unique to say the least. Located by the restrooms (where else?), the exhibit, listed as “a sip of conflict,” sits next to a normal water fountain. Both have perfectly clean, healthy water. It’s fascinating to watch as people choose which water fountain to drink from and then get everyone’s reactions when they choose the toilet. Definitely a photo op! Which one would you choose?

Exploratorium Loo Water Fountain Exhibit San Francisco © LoveToEatAndTravel.com
Exploratorium Loo Water Fountain Exhibit San Francisco © LoveToEatAndTravel.com

 9. Sound Waves – Video

See a Sound Wave in action – watch as invisible sound waves shape a visible surface. Control the sound waves with the touch of a dial (Volume and Frequency). 

10. Giant Interactive Clock

Try to be in the vicinity of the 40-ft tall interactive clock as it strikes the hour. Watch as the clock’s mechanism numbers swing out to the side to form the dial as the gong goes off on the hour.

11. Seaglass Restaurant and Bar – “Oysters, Sushi & Cocktails”

Enjoy lunch at the Seaglass Restaurant – floor-to-ceiling windows provide diners with a spectacular bay view. Menu items include everything from sushi, shrimp and oysters, to pizza, tacos, quesadillas, Welsh rarebit, grilled chicken, fresh salads and sandwiches. Watch video below of one chef shucking oysters and another preparing a sushi plate:

 

The restaurant also features a fun bar (great for people-watching). It’s entertaining too – look down at the glass-top counter and you’ll see a thin pool of dark blue-colored water with bubbling dry ice forming little peaks and mini icebergs… could get quite interesting after a few drinks! 

Exploratorium Restaurant overlooking SF Bay, San Francisco (Fresh Jumbo Shrimp) © LoveToEatAndTravel.com
Exploratorium Restaurant overlooking SF Bay, San Francisco (Fresh Jumbo Shrimp) © LoveToEatAndTravel.com

Allow plenty of time – there’s so much to see. Tell us about your favorite Exploratorium science exhibits – we’d love to hear from you.

Visit San Francisco’s other popular science museum – the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park

Skip the Line: California Academy of Sciences General Admission Ticket

Skip the Line: California Academy of Sciences “Behind the Scenes Platinum Tour”

Find More Fun Things To Do in San Francisco

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