Location

311 attractions

Free things to do in California

293 California attractions you can walk into for nothing, and 18 more with a free day or evening open to everyone.

Not a coupon list. A venue is here only if its own website says admission is free, or names a regular free day that anyone can use. Free-for-some offers — residents, military, EBT cardholders, children — stay on the venue’s own page under “If you qualify”, because they are savings, not free days.

Always free

293 attractions, by region.

Free in San Diego

24

The venue says: “Admission is FREE (donations areappreciated)” — alpinehistory.org, checked October 28, 2026

The venue says: “The Society operates the Bancroft Ranch House as a free museum dedicated to preserving the history of the Spring Valley area.” — springvalleyhistory.org, checked October 29, 2026

The venue says: “Admission to the Museum is free.” — baronamuseum.com, checked October 21, 2026

The venue says: “The Botanical Building will remain free and open to the public, in keeping with its historic mission of providing access to nature and education for all visitors.” — balboaparkbotanical.org

The venue says: “Admission: Free (Donations gratefully accepted)” — craftsmanshipmuseum.com

The venue says: “keeping Escondido's history alive and free to the public” — escondidohistory.org

Also free in San Diego

Free in Los Angeles

47

The venue says: “No entrance fee” — iplayarcades.com, checked October 29, 2026

The venue says: “Free parking and free general admission on weekday” — southbaypumpkinpatch.com, checked October 25, 2026

The venue says: “While the Museum is free for visitors, we are participants in the Museums for All and Blue Star Museums programs.” — aaffmuseum.org

The venue says: “Admission to Tilt is FREE!” — tiltstudio.com, checked October 22, 2026

The venue says: “Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is FREE to visit year-round” — cma.recreation.parks.lacity.gov, checked November 1, 2026

The venue says: “The tour is free, but a donation of $5.00 per person is appreciated.” — sanpedrobayhistoricalsociety.com, checked November 1, 2026

The venue says: “you will be contributing to making our programming free for all” — aplusd.org, checked October 25, 2026

Also free in Los Angeles

Free in Orange County

20

The venue says: “Admission: Free general admission on all days.” — balboaislandmuseum.org, checked October 28, 2026

The venue says: “Learn about a wide variety of historical topics at our free talks throughout the year.” — costamesahistory.org, checked October 22, 2026

The venue says: “Admission is free; a suggested donation per person is appreciated.” — thehathawayranchmuseum.org, checked October 29, 2026

The venue says: “FREE [online reservations](https://hilbertmuseum.org/reservations/) are recommended for entry.” — hilbertmuseum.org, checked October 28, 2026

The venue says: “The Holocaust Museum OC facilitates and provides free tours, educational experiences, and interactive, experiential sessions” — holocaustmuseumoc.org, checked October 15, 2026

The venue says: “The museum is open for FREE public tours every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday except for the 4th weekend of the month.” — homesteadmuseum.org

Also free in Orange County

Free in the Bay Area

77

The venue says: “the AAACC has been able to provide the San Francisco Fillmore community vital resources, free space, access to funding and more” — aaacc.org, checked October 25, 2026

The venue says: “Admission is Free” — antiochhistoricalmuseum.org, checked October 29, 2026

The venue says: “Free family-art workshops and events” — artescapesonoma.com, checked October 25, 2026

The venue says: “Admission to the museum galleries and exhibitions is always free!” — bolinasmuseum.org, checked October 28, 2026

The venue says: “Admission is free.” — csueastbay.edu, checked October 28, 2026

Also free in the Bay Area

Free in the Central Coast

31

The venue says: “Admission is free but visitors are asked to help support the work of the Agriculture History Project (AHP) with a suggested donation of $5.00 per person.” — aghistoryproject.org, checked October 28, 2026

The venue says: “And it's all free!” — aviationmuseumofsantapaula.org, checked October 22, 2026

The venue says: “PARKING & ADMISSION ALWAYS FREE” — avilavalleybarn.com, checked October 25, 2026

The venue says: “FREE ADMISSION” — boccalipumpkins.com, checked October 23, 2026

The venue says: “Borchard Farms has a 5-acre corn maze with free entrance.” — borchardfarms.com, checked October 24, 2026

The venue says: “Admission is always FREE to all!” — camprobertshistoricalmuseum.com, checked October 28, 2026

The venue says: “The museum is free and open to all!” — carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org

The venue says: “Free Admission” — casadolores.org, checked October 28, 2026

Also free in the Central Coast

Free in the Inland Empire & Desert

31

The venue says: “GENERAL ADMISSION — FREE! Admission to the California Route 66 Museum is FREE for individuals, families, and small groups.” — califrt66museum.org, checked October 28, 2026

The venue says: “offers free admission to the community who can browse our displays” — coopermuseum.org

The venue says: “It has been opened free of charge every Sunday from 1-3 pm ever since.” — covinamuseum.org, checked October 23, 2026

The venue says: “Free Planetarium Shows Open to the Public” — valleycollege.edu, checked October 24, 2026

The venue says: “Parking & Admission are ALWAYS FREE!” — greenspotfarms.com, checked October 22, 2026

Also free in the Inland Empire & Desert

Free in the Central Valley

18

The venue says: “Admission to Tilt is FREE!” — tiltstudio.com, checked October 23, 2026

The venue says: “We always offer FREE ADMISSION.” — coarsegoldhistoricalsociety.com

The venue says: “Most are free to the public.” — ucanr.edu, checked October 22, 2026

The venue says: “Admission is Free – Donations Welcome” — krvhs.org, checked October 24, 2026

The venue says: “Best of all, these family-friendly tours are completely free.” — mchenrymansion.org

The venue says: “Admission is free!” — mchenrymuseum.org, checked October 29, 2026

The venue says: “FREE admission to ALL, 7 days a week!” — wholesalepumpkinsdirect.com, checked October 25, 2026

Also free in the Central Valley

Free in Sacramento & Gold Country

19

The venue says: “The Locke Boarding House Museum is open to the public free of charge.” — parks.ca.gov, checked October 23, 2026

The venue says: “A Non-Profit Museum that Offers Free Admission and is Solely Run by Donations, Memberships and Volunteers only.” — sierraloggingmuseum.org, checked October 15, 2026

The venue says: “There is no charge to visit the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden; our gardens, natural areas and landscapes are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.” — arboretum.ucdavis.edu, checked October 21, 2026

The venue says: “Admission to the farm is free!” — appleridgefarms.com, checked October 24, 2026

The venue says: “As of March 2024, the California Agriculture Museum has become a free museum to all.” — californiaagmuseum.org, checked October 25, 2026

The venue says: “The Community Observatory is free to all visitors, but donations are most certainly welcome to support the maintenance of the facility and telescopes.” — communityobservatory.com, checked October 28, 2026

Also free in Sacramento & Gold Country

Free in the Sierra & Far North

6

The venue says: “Fees: FREE!” — mammothmuseum.org, checked November 1, 2026

The venue says: “Museum admission is free with donations gladly accepted.” — sierraskimuseum.com, checked October 29, 2026

The venue says: “admission-free gallery” — nval.org, checked October 29, 2026

The venue says: “***THIS IS A NON TICKETED EVENT - FREE TO THE PUBLIC” — sacramentoriverdiscoverycenterinc.com, checked October 24, 2026

The venue says: “The Taylor Creek Visitor and Tallac Historic Site are completely free to visit, enjoy and recreate at.” — taylortallac.org, checked October 24, 2026

Free elsewhere in California

20

The venue says: “FREE ADMISSION” — chicoairmuseum.org

The venue says: “Admission is free.” — dunsmuirbotanicalgardens.org

The venue says: “ALL FREE!” — fortjonesmuseum.com, checked October 28, 2026

The venue says: “Cost: Free entry.” — tableblufffarm.com, checked October 20, 2026

The venue says: “Free to visit and open dawn to dusk – bring the family to experience this slice of western life in the 1800s!” — fresnoflats.org, checked October 24, 2026

The venue says: “Free to visit and open dawn to dusk” — fresnoflatsmuseum.org, checked October 21, 2026

The venue says: “Admission is free, though donations are graciously accepted.” — goldnuggetmuseum.org, checked October 28, 2026

The venue says: “Admission is FREE!” — honeybeediscoverycenter.org, checked October 28, 2026

Also free elsewhere in California

Free days and evenings

18 attractions that open their doors for nothing on a set day each month. The day is in the venue’s own words below; check it before you go.

The venue says: “On the first Sunday of each month, general admission is free and tickets to our special exhibitions are offered at a discounted price of $10.” — asianart.org, checked November 3, 2026

The venue says: “FREE general admission for all ages on the first Sunday of every month.” — casaromantica.org, checked November 5, 2026

The venue says: “Free Fridays ……………………….. 10AM-3PM” — heritageoftheamericasmuseum.com, checked November 2, 2026

The venue says: “Free on the first Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.” — lagunaartmuseum.org, checked November 3, 2026

The venue says: “The first Saturday of every month is all-day free admission” — humboldtarts.org, checked November 2, 2026

The venue says: “Thursday General Admission - FREE” — sfmuseo.org, checked November 3, 2026

The venue says: “Every Second Sunday and Third Thursday of the month. Free Admission” — mcasd.org, checked September 11, 2026

The venue says: “No Admission fee applies during MOLAA Free Sundays.” — molaa.org, checked November 3, 2026

The venue says: “Join us every Second Saturday for THRIVE @ MoAD Community Day with free admission to all our exhibitions.” — moadsf.org, checked November 3, 2026

The venue says: “Every first Sunday of the month, admission to OMCA's Galleries of California Art, History, Natural Sciences, and any Special Exhibitions in our Great Hall are free.” — museumca.org, checked November 3, 2026

The venue says: “Free admission on Thursdays from 5:00-8:00 pm (funded by the City of Palm Springs).” — psmuseum.org, checked November 3, 2026

The venue says: “Free admission on Thursdays from 5:00-8:00 pm (funded by the City of Palm Springs).” — psmuseum.org, checked November 3, 2026

The venue says: “Free admission Monday through Thursday.” — pumpkinstation.com, checked November 3, 2026

The venue says: “After 6pm on the first Friday of every month, everyone receives free admission.” — sjmusart.org, checked November 4, 2026

The venue says: “FREE ADMISSION SATURDAYS Visit the museum for FREE every first Saturday of the month from 12pm - 4pm.” — tularehistoricalmuseum.org, checked November 3, 2026