Plan Your Visit
Hours & Directions
The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life is located at 2121 Allston Way in downtown Berkeley, just outside the UC Berkeley Campus, within walking distance from BART and several parking facilities.
The Magnes museum is closed for winter break.
In alignment with the UC Berkeley academic calendar, regular public museum hours are paused over winter break. The Magnes will resume regular hours for the spring semester beginning Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Museum Hours
Beginning January 14, 2025
Tuesdays 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Wednesdays 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Thursdays 11:00 am-7:00 pm Open late!
Sunday: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Closed Monday, Friday, Saturday, and major holidays
Admission is free
LOCATION
2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94720-6300
Class and Group Visits
The Magnes offers self-guided and staff-led visits for classes and groups.
Accessibility
The Magnes is committed to providing services and programs that are accessible, welcoming, and inclusive of our community.
If you have any questions about accessibility or require accommodations to participate in an event, please contact us at magnes@berkeley.edu or call us at (510) 643-2526 with as much advance notice as possible.
Principles of Community
We affirm the dignity of all individuals and strive to uphold a just community in which discrimination and hate are not tolerated.
We are committed to ensuring freedom of expression and dialogue that elicits the full spectrum of views held by our varied communities.
We respect the differences as well as the commonalities that bring us together and call for civility and respect in our personal interactions.
Venue Rental
The Magnes offers designated spaces available for private and corporate events, during and after public hours.
FAQ
When are The Magnes galleries open?
The Magnes museum is open during UC Berkeley's fall and spring semester. The galleries are closed during winter and summer break. Admission is free.
Can I take public transportation to The Magnes?
The Downtown Berkeley BART station is located just around the block from The Magnes, on Shattuck Avenue between Allston Way and Addison Street.
The following bus lines stop in Downtown Berkeley:
AC Transit Bus lines including 6, 7, 18, 51B, 52, 65, 67, 79, 88, 800, 851, and F
Bear Transit: C, P, RFS
Where can I park?
Two- and four-hour metered street parking is available in downtown Berkeley and is payable by credit or debit card. Nearby paid parking garages include the Allston Way Parking Garage (between Shattuck and Milvia), the Oxford Parking Garage (on Kittredge west of Oxford), and the Center Street Garage (at 2025 Center Street, accessible from Center or Addison Streets).
Please note The Magnes cannot guarantee availability of parking and that many parking lots near campus are either unavailable or charge special event pricing during major campus events, including Cal athletic events. View the latest athletics schedule here.
Is the museum accessible by wheelchair?
The Magnes Collection’s front lobby, galleries, and auditorium are all accessible by wheelchair. Staff will assist if required.
What is The Magnes's service animal policy?
Service animals are always allowed on campus grounds and in campus buildings, including in The Magnes.
A service animal is a dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for persons with disabilities. Dogs that solely provide companionship, comfort, and emotional support are not considered service animals under the ADA.
More information on University policy regarding service animals.
Does the Magnes participate in the Museums for All program?
Yes, the Magnes participates in Museums for All, a program that provides free or reduced admission to families who are a part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards.
Admmission is free with no need for reservations. Just come in during museum hours.
Museums for All is a national access program that encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits.
How do I gain access to the collection for research or other academic purposes?
Appointments with the Florence Helzel Collection Study to view select holdings for research or other academic or educational purposes may be made two weeks in advance of intended use.
For further information regarding collection access and use of the Florence Helzel Collection Study, refer to the Collection Services Page.
May I take photographs in the museum?
Still photography for noncommercial, personal use is permitted, unless otherwise noted in the galleries. The use of tripods and camera extension poles is prohibited.
How do I receive The Magnes Collection's What's On Newsletter?
To get up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and exhibitions, please sign up for our mailing list and receive our monthly newsletter sent right to your inbox.
Do you still have a question?
If you can’t find the answer to your question, you can always contact us at magnes@berkeley.edu or 510-643-2526.