Bay Model Visitor Center

About this museum

Bay Model Visitor Center welcomes visitors to Sausalito with open doors and FREE ADMISSION, offering an experience that consistently surprises guests with its depth and quality. Open for tours, this 1.5 - acre model of San Francisco's bay reproduces the rise and fall of tides. This extraordinary hydraulic model is one of the most unique free attractions in the entire San Francisco Bay Area.Science comes alive at Bay Model Visitor Center, where interactive exhibits and educational displays transform abstract concepts into tangible, engaging experiences that visitors of all ages can enjoy. The centerpiece is the massive working scale model of San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta, originally built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for research purposes. Watching the tides simulate in miniature gives visitors a visceral understanding of the complex hydrodynamics that shape one of the world's great estuaries. Additional exhibits cover the history of Sausalito's shipbuilding industry and the area's role during World War II.With a 4.7 - star rating from 165 visitor reviews, Bay Model Visitor Center has earned a loyal following among science enthusiasts, families, and curious travelers.You can find Bay Model Visitor Center at 2100 Bridgeway in Sausalito. The museum is open several days a week (Friday: 9AM - 3PM, Saturday: 9AM - 4PM, Thursday: 9AM - 3PM). Check the official website before your visit for the latest information on exhibits, special events, and any seasonal schedule changes. Free admission is confirmed and applies to all general visitors throughout the year. Whether you have thirty minutes or three hours, Bay Model Visitor Center rewards every visit with something worth discovering. This free Sausalito museum is a destination you will want to return to again and again.