Visit
The Foster Museum at 940 Commercial Street, Palo Alto, CA
FREE ADMISSION
APPOINTMENTS REQUESTED
(Walk-ins welcome*)
SATURDAY – SUNDAY: 12 - 4pm
TUESDAY – FRIDAY: 10am - 4pm
MONDAY: CLOSED
*SPECIAL EVENT AND HOLIDAY CLOSURES:
Dec 24-25, Dec 27, Dec 31, Jan 1
Audio tours and children's scavenger hunts are available free of charge at the front desk. Weekday guests may also participate in a 10-minute museum orientation by a museum host, which is recommended for first-time visitors.
We recommend allowing 1-1.5 hours to experience all of the galleries.
School Group Visits
The Foster Museum is an excellent venue to spark curiosity and creativity in students through the watercolor wilderness Journeys of artist Tony Foster.
Please complete the request form below to learn more about the Museum’s availability for specialized tours, including hands-on activities for kindergarten through high school groups.
FAQs
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
The galleries, restrooms, and Shop are all on one level and accessible by wheelchair. One wheelchair is available for guests who need it. An accessible drop-off point is located at the driveway near the entrance. There is one handicapped parking space in the parking lot behind the building.
Amenities
GUEST STORAGE
A coat closet is available for storage of coats and larger bags. The Foster Museum is not responsible for items left in the coat closet.
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.
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.
WHEELCHAIR AVAILABLE
One wheelchair is available for use upon request.
GALLERY 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 materials; clipboards and folding seats are available for your convenience.
Photography
Flash photography is not allowed in the museum to preserve the light-sensitive watercolors.
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 always be on a leash 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
Food or beverages are prohibited in the galleries outside of designated events. There is no on-site cafe, but 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. An adult must accompany children under 14 at all times.
For the protection of the art collection and the comfort and safety of all guests and staff, the following activities are prohibited inside the museum:
Touching artwork, cases, or other artifacts
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
Making unapproved solicitations or demonstrations
Prohibited Items in the Museum
For the safety of guests, staff, and the artwork, the following items are prohibited:
Weapons
Knives, box cutters, and scissors
Animals (other than ADA-excepted service animals)
Flowers, plants
Glitter, confetti, fog machines
Remote control vehicles and drones
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