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Location
Best time
Visit on a weekday to enjoy short or no wait times and a more relaxed experience. Reviewers specifically noted minimal crowds and better experiences on weekdays compared to weekends and holidays.
Visitor tip
Bring a picnic lunch or pack snacks. The main café is permanently closed, though 'ammatka Cafe is available Wed-Sunday 11am-3pm. Pack microwaves are available downstairs, and there's outdoor seating with Bay views.
Visitor tip
Don't miss live animal feeding times and interactions with animal care workers. Reviewers highlighted observing axolotl feeding and tank changes as the highlight of their visit, and the separate animal rooms with chinchillas, hamsters, and bunnies are popular attractions.
About The Lawrence Hall of Science
A planetarium & an interactive museum. Science center at the University of California, Berkeley, with hands-on exhibits & a planetarium.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Science Center
- Location
- UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
- Hours
- Daily 10am-5pm
- Highlights
- Hands-on exhibits, live animals, DNA climb, cosmos exploration
What visitors say
The Lawrence Hall of Science This is such a hidden gem up in the Berkeley Hills. I've came here since elementary school so it's never a dull moment. The Dinosaur exhibit was really cool and I love how it's in one area. The additional…
The kids loved all the interactive activities and the drive up is spectacular. We had a lot of fun and would recommend this to anyone that has time with the kids and want a fun activity that doesn't feel like learning.
Hidden gem in bay area, that should have been more popular. The exhibits and experiments are engrossing for adults and kids. Specially liked the revelations in the future of food section. Could see many of the stuffs that had read in…
From 546 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- Located on a hilltop in the Berkeley Hills with an unparalleled view of the San Francisco Bay, making it a visually distinctive science center with both educational and scenic appeal
- Features live animals including chinchillas, axolotls, hamsters, and bunnies in dedicated animal rooms, providing direct animal interaction experiences for visitors
- Offers 'ammatka Cafe with Ohlone-forward snacks and meals available Wednesday-Sunday 11am-3pm, reflecting commitment to Indigenous food traditions and community engagement
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