Lawrence Hall of Science: Plan a Berkeley Visit

The Lawrence Hall of Science is the public science center of the University of California, Berkeley. It opened to the public in 1968 and was named in honor of Ernest Orlando Lawrence. The center sits above the main campus at 1 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA 94720.

Expect a mix of interactive science activities, displays, and outdoor learning areas. The center’s listed attractions range from exhibits about biology and Earth science to spaces designed for younger children. Its outdoor Forces That Shape the Bay science park focuses on processes such as water erosion, earthquakes, and weather.

The listed exhibits include Dinosaur Lookout, Hands-on Biotech, Science On a Sphere, and Forces That Shape the Bay. Science On a Sphere projects three-dimensional video of Earth onto a six-foot globe. For a change of pace, the outdoor science park looks at the forces that shaped the Bay Area.

For younger children, Playtopia Juegolandia is designed for visitors age 6 and under with their grown-ups. Curiosity Corner/Esquina Curiosa is described as a space for children ages 2–6 and their adults. The Animal Discovery Zone features teaching animals, including chinchillas and box turtles; staff introduce visitors to animal behavior and habitats.

Activities and available spaces can change. If one particular exhibit is central to your plans, check the official site before you go.

Published regular hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. General admission is $27 for adults and children ages 3 and older. Children age 2 and under and members are admitted free. The Animal Discovery Zone is listed as open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The center encourages visitors to reserve tickets online, though you can also buy them upon arrival. UC Berkeley students and staff, Museums for All participants, active-duty military, CASA advocates, and WIC participants are listed as eligible for free admission. Bring a pass, card, or other appropriate proof; advance reservations are not required for these programs.

Tickets for 3D films and interactive planetarium shows cost $6 in addition to admission and are available at the Visitor Services Desk. The center also participates in the ASTC Passport Program: eligible visitors whose residence or member institution is more than 90 linear miles away may receive free admission for two adults and children under 18 in the same household, with proof of residence. ACM Reciprocal Network members may receive 50% off general admission for up to six people, with the cardholder present.

The center is on Centennial Drive above the UC Berkeley campus. On weekdays, AC Transit bus #65 runs hourly from the downtown Berkeley BART station to The Lawrence.

UC Berkeley shuttle buses also run on weekdays between the Berkeley BART station and main campus, and between the main campus and The Lawrence. For shuttle details, look up Bear Transit Hill Line, Route H. For more on moving around the city, see this Berkeley public transit guide.

Paid parking is available in lots administered by UC Berkeley Parking and Transportation. The listed rate is $1.50 per hour in one-hour increments. Machines accept exact cash or credit cards, and Pay-by-Phone is also available.

You’ll need your license plate number; machines do not give change, and the receipt does not need to be displayed in the car. Centennial Drive from Memorial Stadium is closed on Cal football game days and commencement.

Exhibition spaces, public spaces, and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Lower-floor restrooms are reachable by elevator, and a limited number of wheelchairs are available to borrow free with an ID deposit.

Visitors displaying a disability parking plate or placard may use one of 10 identified spaces in the Bus Circle in front of the plaza, which also has a drop-off area. UC shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible.

Benches are located inside the building and outside at the Plaza Fountain and Forces That Shape the Bay science park. Sensory backpacks with hearing protection, fidget toys, and a sensory guide are available to borrow from the Visitor Services Desk as part of a pilot program.

Assistive listening devices are available for auditorium presentations, including 3D movies. To request sign-language interpretation for in-house workshops, call the Registration Office at 510-642-5132, extension 3, well in advance.

Allow time for both indoor activities and the outdoor science park if you want to see different parts of the center.

Families with younger children can look first at Playtopia Juegolandia and Curiosity Corner/Esquina Curiosa, then plan around other exhibits that fit their interests. If you’re also making time for green space, the guide to parks in Berkeley covers nearby options.

The building does not have air conditioning, and some exhibit spaces, including the Animal Discovery Zone, may close due to heat. Hours, admission, transportation, and available activities can change, so check the official site before you go.