Visit
The Foster Museum at 940 Commercial Street, Palo Alto, CA
FREE ADMISSION
OPEN HOURS BY APPOINTMENT:
Saturday – Sunday: 12 - 4pm
Tuesday – Friday: 10am - 4pm
Monday: CLOSED
Explore our exhibitions at your own pace and consider adding on an audio tour and/or scavenger hunt to enhance your experience.
Weekday guests may also opt for a 10-minute museum orientation, recommended for first-time visitors.
Please allow 1-1.5 hours to experience all of the galleries.
Children’s Storytime Visit
Join us with your little ones one Sunday per month for Storytime with Anna before we open to the public. Follow Storytime with scavenger hunts, drawing table activities and a stroll through our exhibitions. Click here for more details.
Join us for Storytime with Anna! One Sunday per month.
COVID-19 Policies
Face masks are optional for all museum guests. There may be exceptions to this policy based on group sizes over ten guests. Hand sanitizer is available at the entrance to the museum and outside the restrooms.
There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where others are present. You will be visiting at your own risk and should use your judgment as to whether you are comfortable being in a public space.
Parking & Directions
The Foster Museum is located at 940 Commercial Street in Palo Alto, California, near the corner of E. Charleston and San Antonio Road. Street parking is generally available, and limited parking is also available behind the museum.
Accessibility
Galleries, restrooms, and the Shop are all located on one level and accessible by wheelchair. One wheelchair and many gallery stools are available for visitors’ use. An accessible drop-off point is located at the driveway near the entrance. There is one handicap parking space in the parking lot behind the building.
Amenities
GUEST STORAGE
Our coat check is currently closed. Any personal items you bring with you to the museum should be comfortably carried for the duration of your visit, including coats, purses, and backpacks.
AUDIO TOURS
Use your cell phone to take an audio tour of each of the three complete Journeys on exhibition: Exploring Beauty: Watercolour Diaries from the Wild; Sacred Places: Watercolour Diaries from the American Southwest; and Travels with and without a Donkey in the Cévennes.
Listen to Tony Foster as he describes his process of creating these artwork Journeys, plus additional listening materials are available through our audio tours. Bring your own earphones, or disposable earphones with earphone jacks are available.
UMBRELLAS
An umbrella stand and plastic covers for umbrellas will be supplied on rainy days.
WATER
A drinking fountain is available and limited bottled water is available upon request.
WHEELCHAIR AVAILABLE
One wheelchair is available for use upon request.
BENCHES THROUGHOUT, Plus PORTABLE SEATING
Benches are located throughout the galleries. Additionally, lightweight and portable folding stools are available to carry and use throughout the exhibitions.
HAND SANITIZER
Hand sanitizer is available for guests.
Museum Guidelines
Lost and Found
If you have lost or misplaced an item, please visit our front desk for assistance or call our main number at 650.209.7181. We will do our best to help you locate a lost item, however, The Foster Museum is not responsible for lost or misplaced items.
Artwork Policy
No touching of artworks or display cases is allowed.
Sketching is encouraged in the galleries, but please refrain from placing notepads or paper on walls, display cases, or artworks. Bring your own materials; clipboards and folding seats are available for your convenience.
Photography
Photography without flash is permitted in the museum. To preserve the light-sensitive watercolors, flash photography is never permitted.
Service Animals
The Foster Museum welcomes service animals.
Under federal law, service animals are dogs trained to work and perform tasks to assist people with physical or mental disabilities. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability. Additionally, service animals must be on a leash at all times and remain under the handler’s control while in the museum. Emotional support animals are not considered service animals under federal law.
Food and Beverage
Please refrain from bringing personal food or beverages during regular open hours. There is no on-site cafe; we can suggest nearby restaurants.
Behavior on Museum Property
Considerate behavior is expected of all guests; any individual or group whose behavior is disruptive, aggressive, or offensive to other guests or staff may be asked to leave. Shirts and footwear are required for entry. Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
For the protection of the art collection, and for the comfort and safety of all guests and staff, the following activities are prohibited inside the museum:
Touching artwork, cases, or other artifacts
Some displays, monitors, and headsets are interactive and noted as such; if you are unsure, please ask staff for guidance.
Smoking, including electronic cigarettes and vaping devices
Running, yelling, or other disruptive behavior
Refusing to follow directions from museum staff
Using flashlights or laser pointers
Conversing loudly
Making unapproved solicitations or demonstrations
Prohibited Items in Museum
Weapons
Knives, box cutters, and scissors
Animals (other than ADA-excepted service animals)
Flowers, plants
Balloons, glitter
Flammable liquids
Permanent markers and spray paint
Bicycles (bicycles can be secured at outside racks)
Personal luggage, scooters, and “hoverboards”
We reserve the right to deny entry, refuse service to, or revoke the admission of any guest who does not comply with our safety guidelines.
A typical art tour at The Foster Museum