Lawrence Hall of Science
About
UC Berkeley's Hands-On Science Center Above the Bay
The Lawrence Hall of Science is UC Berkeley's public science center perched in the Berkeley Hills above campus - one of the West Coast's most influential science museums and the inventor of the Family Science program.
What Kids Can Do
The outdoor Forces That Shape the Bay exhibit lets kids dam streams and engineer water flow. The Animal Discovery Room houses live snakes, lizards, and small mammals kids can meet during keeper sessions. Indoor exhibits include engineering activities, simple machines investigations, a planetarium, and 3-D science theater. Outdoor space includes the iconic Pheena the Whale sculpture for climbing, the double-helix climber, and panoramic Bay views. Summer camps and birthday parties bookable [marked: planetarium and 3-D theater have separate timed tickets - check schedule at front desk].
What's Included
General admission covers exhibits, animal room, outdoor exhibits, and planetarium showings. Camps, special programs, and birthday parties priced separately. Free admission for K-12 students on certain promotional days.
Experience
Plan 3-5 hours. Mix indoor exhibits and outdoor science play. Bring layers - hilltop location can be foggy. Stroller-friendly throughout. Paid on-site parking. AC Transit bus from downtown Berkeley free with admission ticket.