Lawrence Hall of Science
Lawrence Hall of Science
4.5
Science MuseumsEducational sites
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Lawrence Hall of Science is UC Berkeley's Public Science Center. Join us and discover your inner scientist through fun and hands-on explorations in engineering, physics, astronomy, and more! Visit the Hall's Science on a Sphere® and take control of a planet on a 6-ft diameter globe, meet an animal friend in the Animal Discovery Room, and design, build, and test your own creations in Design Quest. Looking for even more ways to explore science? Add a Planetarium or National Geographic 3D Theater show to your visit (Planetarium and 3D Theater admission is extra).
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles182 reviews
Excellent
98
Very good
55
Average
17
Poor
9
Terrible
3

Stephanie M
Gig Harbor, WA1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
This mueum was shockingly a disappointment. It should really be called The Children's Hall of Science. We two adults paid $40 to enter and we were looking forward to some informative science displays, activities, and science 'magic'. Most of the museum is geared toward kids. Many activities and exhibits were closed or not working properly, and most gave no explanationt the science behind the exhibit. The theater was not showing anything, and even the restaurant was closed. The only area that was of interest, but meager, was the outdoor geology and earth/sun stones exhibit. I learned a few things there and there was a real slice through a large section of earth that showed the bending, folding, and layers of earth around a faultline in the Bay Area. The telescopes outdoors for close-up views of Bay Area features had foggy lenses and were decrepit.

This museum is great for its activities for young children. But, we mistakenly thought that being connected to UC Berkeley with its reputation of top-tier science history and programs, the museum would be outstanding. We planned on spending a few hours there but left after about 30 minutes. During the 30 minutes we searched for the adult-hearty exhibits and spaces, thinking there must be other floors for the adult crowd, but no. The museum needs a good overhaul, updating and presenting well-informed and substantial material. It was a sad experience really and only good fund-raising and more visionary insight and planning will help it live up to its name, Lawrence Hall of Science. The San Francisco Exploratorium is an example of great creativity and inspiration in science presentation, with mostly hands-on exhibits and special activities and programming that are superior for adults and kids alike. Go there instead.
Written 2 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

50and5
San Francisco, CA42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
if you want to see Berkley and the whole bay, head up to Centennial Drive to the Lawrence Hall of Science. Parking may be a bit hard to find, depending on the time of day you arrive.
In the afternoons, around sunset is almost impossible to find a good parking spot, because this is the most popular time to go up there. I recommend going earlier in the day, going for a hike in the area, and then marveling at the sunset from the plaza. Kids and adults alike enjoy the science exhibit indoors and climbing up the whale sculpture located outside in the plaza.
Written 13 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

529faustinas
Savannah, GA403 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
We had checked the website, so we knew it was not quite open from COVID restrictions yet when we went on June 27. There were some exhibits on the plaza, but we opted to walk around on the grounds and enjoy the incredible view - wow! I was visiting them from Savannah, so we have no vistas of this nature!
As a scientist, I was thrilled to get so close to Lawrence's electromagnet from the first cyclotron - wow, wow, wow! Wow.
I struggled with the rating... but we weren't allowed inside, so I don't know anything about any of the exhibits there. Hopefully, I'll get another chance to visit in a few years!
Written 5 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wynn R
Morgan Hill, CA1,929 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
First came here on a field trip in grade school, if I could have, I would have lived here for the rest of my childhood. Take your kids! lots of interactive exhibits
Written 31 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sandy Miranda R
Berkeley, CA54 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Friends
Great for kids and much closer to east bay families than The Exploratorium but in serious need of an update.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rosie C
Berkeley, CA24 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019
No where in the title of this place does it tell you that it is for little kids! SO- for your very young kids it is fine. Even for mature 10 year olds it would be too childish for them. So- don't bother if you are a grown up. If you want a great experience for all ages go to the CA academy of sciences. AND for that matter- go on a Thursday night and hear music and have drinks and food too
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Oakland
24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Family
Maybe you have to be inclined towards math and science, but my 6 & 9yo truly love it here, and would live here if we let them. It’s all very hands-on, no kid-unfriendly read-only exhibits. Science and math concepts presented as games, experiments, and crafts/building. Thousands and thousands of those little keva plank blocks to build structures higher than you. Outdoor play area (water play, life-sized whale, super-sized DNA climbing structure). Build and shoot off paper rockets. Hefty supply of Legos. Stop-motion animation. 3-D documentaries. Family-friendly cafeteria (and outside grounds) with arguably the best views in the Bay Area. Temporary exhibit changes every few months, but always enjoyed. Ample parking lot next door is $1/hr.
Written 29 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SkiSquaw2015
Novato, CA13 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019 • Family
We brought our 14 year old grandson here because he loves planetariums and science. They really should specify on their site that this place is ideal for parents with young children up to about 10 yrs old. Everything is targeted to very young kids. They had nothing for kids over 10 that would interest them. Very disappointed that we wasted our money here. But if you have young children it would be a great place to take them.
Written 13 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mark Sheen
Clovis, CA73 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Family
This is a science exploration place for young children. Many hands on opportunities and a chance to pick up unique gifts. On top of that it is located overlooking the bay, giving the best view I have seen and I picked right day!
Written 24 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Laura B
El Cerrito, CA170 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019 • Family
We went with out of town family and their young children and had a wonderful time. The exhibits were hands on and self explanatory. They invited interaction. The outside spaces are also safe and invite adventuresome behavior. The views on a clear day are spectacular too.
Written 5 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Lawrence Hall of Science

Lawrence Hall of Science is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 - 17:00