Lawrence Hall of Science

The Lawrence Hall of Science is the public science center of the University of California, Berkeley. It sits on Centennial Drive high above the campus, where the plaza looks straight out over the bay to San Francisco and the Golden Gate. Kids climb on a giant model of a DNA molecule and a life-size whale before they even get inside. Indoors are hands-on exhibits, a planetarium and an animal room.

From Palo Alto it is about an hour's drive, or a Caltrain, BART and bus trip on weekdays. This guide covers the museum's history, the late 2026 hours and prices from its own site, getting there, age fit, accessibility, food and how to pair it with Tilden Regional Park next door.

History

The Lawrence Hall of Science opened in 1968 as a memorial to Ernest Orlando Lawrence, the Berkeley physicist who invented the cyclotron and became the University of California's first Nobel laureate. An exhibit on his life and work includes a biographical film and a pair of electrodes from an early cyclotron. Lawrence's Nobel medal was reported stolen in 2007. It was recovered and a replica now sits in the display case.

The Holt Planetarium was built in 1973 and became known for short, interactive shows. Outside, Pheena is a life-size model of a juvenile fin whale on the plaza. The DNA sculpture by Michael Jantzen, an 800-million-to-one model of the molecule, went up in spring 1992. The museum now often calls itself simply The Lawrence.

What is inside

• Hands-on exhibit halls. Interactive science exhibits built for kids to try, plus the Ernest O. Lawrence memorial exhibit.
• Animal Discovery Zone. Children learn about animals and can watch and interact with them, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Planetarium. A full-dome projection system, with shows for an extra $6.
• 3D theater. Films for an extra $6.
• Outdoor plaza. Pheena the whale, the DNA sculpture and the bay view.

Check the museum's site for what is showing in the planetarium and theater on your day. Over Thanksgiving week, from November 21 to 29, 2026, the museum listed a Potato Party program.

Hours and tickets for late 2026

The plan your visit page listed Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the Animal Discovery Zone open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday are closed. Holiday closures were not listed, so check before you go in late November and December.

The building has no air conditioning. On hot days some spaces, including the Animal Discovery Zone, may close. The museum links to current weather on its site.

Members, UC Berkeley students and staff, Museums for All visitors, active-duty military, CASA advocates and WIC families get in free, some with proof at the door. Members also get unlimited free planetarium shows. The museum encourages reserving tickets in advance. Free-admission programs do not need a reservation.

Getting there from Palo Alto

By car

The trip is about 45 miles. One route crosses the San Mateo Bridge, heads north on Interstate 880 and joins Interstate 80 toward Berkeley. Exit at University Avenue and drive about two miles to campus. Turn left on Oxford Street, right on Hearst Avenue, right on Gayley Road and left on Stadium Rim Way, then left on Centennial Drive and climb about a mile. The museum is on the left just below the top of the hill. Allow about an hour in light traffic. Bridge tolls are collected on the westbound trip home.

Centennial Drive closes from Memorial Stadium on Cal football game days and during commencement, so check campus traffic notices. An alternate route comes in from Grizzly Peak Boulevard at the top of the hill.

UC Berkeley runs the parking. It costs $1.50 an hour in one-hour increments. Pay at the machines with exact cash or a card, or use PayByPhone. The machines do not give change and ask for your plate number, so note it before you walk away.

By Caltrain, BART and bus

Ride Caltrain to Millbrae and take a Red Line BART train to Downtown Berkeley, as our Berkeley day trip explains. From there, AC Transit Line 65 runs hourly to the museum and UC's Bear Transit Hill Line runs from the BART station through campus and up the hill. The museum lists both as weekday services. Allow two hours or more each way. On weekends, a ride-hail from Downtown Berkeley BART is the simplest last leg.

Who it suits

The Lawrence works well for children from about 3 to 12. Preschoolers love the whale, the DNA sculpture and the animals. School-age kids get the most out of the exhibit halls and the planetarium. Plan on two to three hours inside plus time on the plaza. Teens interested in science can pair it with a walk around the UC Berkeley campus below.

Accessibility

The museum says all exhibit spaces, public spaces and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Free wheelchair loans are available at the Visitor Services Desk with an ID deposit. Ten accessible parking spaces sit in the Bus Circle in front of the plaza, next to a drop-off area. Restrooms are on two levels and the lower level is reached by elevator. A pilot program lends sensory backpacks with hearing protection, fidget toys and a sensory guide to the building. Guide dogs and other assistance animals are welcome.

Food

The museum's 'ammatka Cafe is temporarily closed while its kitchen is expanded. Food and drinks are sold in the Discovery Store during open hours. With little ones, bring a packed lunch. For a sit-down meal, downtown Berkeley and the North Shattuck area are a 10 to 15 minute drive down the hill.

Tips and pairings

• Go Wednesday to Sunday. The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday.
• Check football days. Centennial Drive closes from the stadium side for Cal home games.
• Bring a jacket. The plaza is exposed to wind and fog.
• Carry exact change or use the app. Parking machines give no change.

Tilden Regional Park is just up the hill, with a historic carousel, small steam trains and the free Little Farm. South Park Drive inside Tilden is closed to cars from November 1 to April 1 for newt migration, so use another entrance in winter. For a second science stop, Chabot Space and Science Center is about half an hour south by car in the Oakland hills. Closer to home, The Tech Interactive in San Jose offers a similar hands-on day. Our museums for kids guide compares the options. To make a weekend of Berkeley, compare hotels in Berkeley.

Frequently asked questions