Randall Museum Museum
San Francisco museum focused on science, nature, and crafts
In San Francisco's Corona Heights, the Randall Museum runs hands‑on science and arts exhibits, a live‑animal room and weekend workshops popular with families and school groups.
Randall Museum at a Glance#
Address: 199 Museum Way, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA
Website: https://sfrecpark.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Randall-Museum-181
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mondays
Admission: Free
About Randall Museum#
The Randall Museum is a city-run hands-on science, nature and arts center located in the Corona Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. It is operated by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and focuses on informal science education and creative workshops for families and school groups.
Exhibits combine live-animal displays, interactive science and natural history exhibits, and on-site art and woodshop studios for classes and demonstrations. The building also has a rooftop terrace and direct access to Corona Heights trails, making it a short nature stop inside the city.
The museum has served as San Francisco’s community science-and-arts center for decades and underwent a substantial renovation and seismic upgrade in the 2010s to modernize galleries and program space. Its mission and programming have evolved to emphasize hands-on learning for children and family audiences.
The museum sits on the southern slope of Corona Heights in central San Francisco, within walking distance of the Castro and Cole Valley neighborhoods. Street parking is limited and the site is easily reached by public transit from downtown San Francisco.
- Admission: Admission is free; check the museum website for current hours and program schedules.
- Views & access: A rooftop terrace and windows overlook Corona Heights and offer clear views of the city skyline and nearby trails.
Tips for Visiting Randall Museum#
- Visit on a weekday morning or early afternoon to avoid the weekend family rush; school groups and weekend workshops make weekends noticeably busier.
- Check the museum's program calendar in advance - the Randall runs scheduled live-animal sessions, maker demos and drop-in workshops that are worth timing your visit around.
- Enter from Museum Way and use the outdoor paths up Corona Heights for panoramic city views before or after your visit; on busy days public transit or a short walk from nearby neighborhoods is often easier than parking.
Best Time to Visit Randall Museum#
Go on a weekday morning to avoid crowds and have the best, least-crowded experience at this largely indoor hands‑on museum.
Weather & Climate near Randall Museum#
Randall Museum's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in September) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (801 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 6° - 14° | 10° | 167 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 7° - 16° | 12° | 142 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 8° - 17° | 12° | 124 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 8° - 19° | 14° | 48 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 10° - 20° | 15° | 17 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 11° - 21° | 16° | 5 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 11° - 22° | 17° | 2 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 12° - 22° | 17° | 3 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 12° - 23° | 18° | 9 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 11° - 22° | 17° | 44 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 9° - 18° | 13° | 111 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 7° - 15° | 11° | 129 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
