Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

If your kids are too young for the labs and long labels of a science center, the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose is the better day out. It opened in 1990 in a purple building by the Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, who also designed The Tech Interactive a few blocks away. The museum says it offers more than 150 hands-on exhibits and programs across science, the arts, nature and health. It counts more than 10 million visitors since it opened.

It sits on Woz Way, a street named after Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who was the largest private donor to the museum's original building campaign. From Palo Alto it is about 20 miles by car or a Caltrain and light rail ride. This guide covers what is inside, the short school-year hours, tickets, parking and how to make the trip work with small children.

What is inside

The museum is built for climbing, splashing, pretending and building. Its own fact sheet highlights these spaces:

• Mammoth Discovery. Built around Lupe, a young Columbian mammoth whose bones were found along the Guadalupe River in San Jose. Life-size mammoth replicas make prehistoric San Jose concrete for preschoolers.
• Bill's Backyard. A half-acre outdoor nature play space that opened in 2017. The museum calls it a bridge to nature.
• WaterWays. A water play gallery. Bring a change of clothes, or at least a spare shirt.
• Amazing AirMaze. A climbing structure that burns energy fast.
• Art Loft. Drop-in art making. The museum has five visual and performing arts spaces in all.
• Real vehicles. Kids can climb on full-size vehicles, including a fire engine and a Wells Fargo stagecoach.

The museum added a bubble exhibit called Bubbling Up! in a recent summer and runs seasonal celebrations through the year, such as Diwali, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and Hispanic Heritage Month events. Check the calendar for anything special on the day you plan to go.

A little history

The museum opened in 1990, the same year The Tech's predecessor opened downtown. Its building of about 50,000 square feet was designed by Legorreta in his signature bold color. With Bill's Backyard and an outdoor Exploration Portal, the museum's total footprint reaches 83,500 square feet. On its 35th birthday the museum asked families to name the duck that sits on its roof. The winning name was Roofus.

Leadership has recently changed. Longtime executive director Marilee Jennings retired after a career of more than three decades with the museum and Linda Tsai was named president and CEO. The museum has also partnered with San Jose Mineta International Airport and Nutanix on a sensory room for young travelers at the airport.

Hours and tickets

The museum's hours are short during the school year, which surprises many first-time visitors. Its visit page listed these school-year hours in late 2026:

Some Monday holidays and school breaks bring longer hours, posted on the home page. Summer schedules are usually more generous.

Admission listed on the visit page was $22 for adults 18 to 59 and children 1 to 17, $20 for seniors 60 and up and free for infants under 1 and members. The museum announced that increase in June. An older price was still showing on parts of its site in late October 2026, so confirm when you buy. If you pay by card, bring a photo ID.

Through Museums for All, families with a valid CalFresh or SNAP EBT card pay $5 per person for up to four people. Those tickets are sold in person only, need no advance reservation and are limited per session. The museum has also long promoted an Open Door Policy that lets families who cannot afford full admission pay what they can. If you are planning several Bay Area outings, you can compare family attraction tickets as well.

Getting there from Palo Alto

By car

Take Highway 101 or Interstate 280 south, then Highway 87 into downtown San Jose. The museum is at Woz Way and Auzerais Street, near the McEnery Convention Center. Allow 25 to 40 minutes outside rush hour.

The museum does not own or manage the nearby lots. Public lots on Woz Way, Auzerais Street and Almaden Boulevard start at $7, with higher rates on high-demand days when events fill Discovery Meadow next door. The Woz and 87 lot takes cards or text payment. The Auzerais lot has an attendant and takes cash or cards. The museum does not reimburse parking. Accessible parking is in all lots and limited free disabled parking is in the drop-off lane on the west side of the museum, reached by turning onto Woz Way from Almaden.

By Caltrain and light rail

Ride Caltrain to San Jose Diridon. From there, take VTA light rail toward downtown and get off at Convention Center station, a short walk from the museum. VTA's Blue Line also stops at Children's Discovery Museum station, right beside the building. Children under 5 ride VTA free and ages 5 to 18 need a Clipper Youth card.

Tips for parents

• Go on a weekend if you want a full day. Weekday visits end at 1 p.m. during the school year.
• Arrive at opening. Mornings are best for toddlers and the 9:30 a.m. start suits early risers.
• Pack spare clothes. WaterWays and the backyard get kids wet and muddy.
• Plan the nap. A 25 to 40 minute drive each way means many toddlers fall asleep on the way home, which can be a feature.
• Respect the code of conduct. The museum asks adults to be role models for children and can refuse entry for disorderly behavior.

Our things to do with toddlers and baby-friendly Palo Alto guides cover options closer to home for days when San Jose feels too far.

Accessibility

The museum lists wheelchair access on its visit page and participates in Museums for All to keep visits affordable. Accessible parking is in every nearby lot and there is a free disabled drop-off lane on the west side. It does not publish much more detail online, so call ahead with specific questions about sensory needs or mobility equipment.

Food nearby and pairing it with other stops

The museum's visit page does not describe its food options, so pack snacks and check on arrival. Discovery Meadow and the Guadalupe River Park next door are good places for a picnic and a run before or after. For restaurants, downtown San Jose is a few minutes away, with San Pedro Square and its food hall the easiest choice with kids.

Pairings that work with young children:

• Older siblings. The Tech Interactive is about a 15-minute walk north and suits kids roughly 5 and up.
• Closer to home. The Junior Museum and Zoo in Palo Alto has animals and science exhibits for the same age group. Our museums for kids guide compares them.
• A full San Jose day. Our San Jose guide adds Japantown and lunch spots.
• Rainy days. The indoor galleries make this a strong pick from our rainy day list, though Bill's Backyard is outdoors.

Visiting from out of town with little ones? You can compare family hotels in downtown San Jose, many within walking distance of the museum and the light rail.

Frequently asked questions