Your Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Pinball Museum
- Nini
- Feb 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 5
Just a quick note: This post isn't sponsored by any of the businesses mentioned. All opinions are my own.
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Public Transportation
What to Expect
Planning Your Visit
How to Get There
Public Transportation Options
If you're looking to skip the Bay Bridge traffic and embrace a more sustainable commute, public transportation offers several convenient options to reach 1510 Webster St. Let's explore the best ways to get there:
(From San Francisco/Peninsula)
1. BART and AC Transit: This is often the fastest and most popular choice.
BART: Start by taking BART from any San Francisco station (e.g., Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center) towards Richmond. Get off at the 12th St/Oakland City Center BART station.
AC Transit: From 12th St/Oakland City Center, you have a few AC Transit bus options that will get you close to your destination. Check the AC Transit website or app (like the Transit app) for the most up-to-date routes and schedules. Look for buses heading towards Alameda. Routes like the 51A, O, or others that travel along Webster Street could work. Use the address or cross streets (e.g., Webster and Lincoln) to pinpoint the best stop.
(From East Bay)
1. AC Transit is King (Mostly): Since your destination is in Alameda, AC Transit will likely play a key role in your journey.
From Oakland: Oakland offers numerous AC Transit connections to Alameda. Many bus lines travel along or near Webster Street. Use the AC Transit website or app (or a transit app like Transit or Google Maps) to find the best route from your specific starting point in Oakland. Common routes that might work include the 51A, O, and others that traverse Alameda. Enter your starting address and 1510 Webster St as your destination for precise directions.
From Berkeley: Similar to Oakland, AC Transit is your primary option. You'll likely need to connect to a bus that goes through Oakland or directly to Alameda. Again, the AC Transit website and transit apps are your best friends for planning your route.
From other East Bay Cities: Depending on where you're coming from (e.g., Hayward, Fremont, Concord), you might need to take BART to a convenient transfer point (like 12th St/Oakland City Center or Lake Merritt BART) and then connect to an AC Transit bus heading towards Alameda. Alternatively, some AC Transit lines might run directly from further East Bay cities to Alameda, so it's always worth checking the schedules.
(From further East)
BART to Oakland: If your starting point is far from Alameda, BART can be a good way to cover a significant distance quickly. Take BART to a station in Oakland (e.g., 12th St/Oakland City Center, Lake Merritt).
AC Transit Connection: From the BART station, transfer to an AC Transit bus that serves the Webster Street corridor in Alameda. Use the resources mentioned above to find the right bus and stop.
(From North Bay)
Golden Gate Transit and Connecting Services: This is likely the most common and efficient route.
Golden Gate Transit Bus: Start by taking a Golden Gate Transit bus from your location in the North Bay (e.g., Santa Rosa, Petaluma, San Rafael) towards San Francisco. Many routes connect to the San Francisco Transit Center.
Connecting Service in San Francisco: From the San Francisco Transit Center, you have a couple of options:
BART and AC Transit: Take BART from a San Francisco BART station (like Embarcadero or Montgomery) towards Richmond. Get off at 12th St/Oakland City Center. Then, connect to an AC Transit bus heading towards Alameda (routes like the 51A, O, or others along Webster Street).
Ferry and AC Transit: Take the ferry from the Ferry Building (near Embarcadero BART) to the Alameda/Oakland Ferry Terminal. From there, connect to an AC Transit bus that serves Webster Street.
SMART Train and Connecting Services (If Applicable): If you're starting in an area served by the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) train:
SMART Train to Larkspur: Take the SMART train to the Larkspur Station.
Golden Gate Ferry or Bus: From Larkspur, you can either take the Golden Gate Ferry to the San Francisco Ferry Building or a Golden Gate Transit bus to San Francisco.
Connecting Service in San Francisco: Once in San Francisco, follow the same connecting service options as mentioned above (BART and AC Transit or Ferry and AC Transit).
What to Expect
Cost: There is an admission fee to enter the museum. Check their website for current prices. The lovely lady at the front told us that there are in and out privileges. Pro-tip: Groupon usually sells discounted tickets for this place. The last time I went, it was $6 on Groupon.
Crowds: The museum can get crowded, especially on weekends and during peak hours. Be prepared for some waiting time for popular machines. The indoor temp started to get stuffy after half an hour in here.
Noise: With so many pinball machines operating, the museum can be a noisy environment. If you're sensitive to noise, you might want to bring earplugs.
Accessibility: It is a very tight squeeze in here and from my perspective, a wheelchair would not move around comfortably around the pinball machines. Maybe on a less-crowded day it would be more comfy.
A Huge Collection of Pinball Machines: The museum boasts a vast collection of pinball machines, spanning decades of pinball history. You'll find everything from classic electromechanical machines to modern, high-tech marvels. This is the core of the experience - playing pinball!
Playable Machines: Unlike some museums where exhibits are just for viewing, the Pacific Pinball Museum encourages interaction. Most of the machines are in working order and available for you to play. Get ready to flip those flippers!
Educational Experience: The museum isn't just about playing; it's also about learning. You can learn about the history of pinball, the mechanics of the machines, and the evolution of pinball design. There are often informational displays and knowledgeable staff to answer your questions.
Good Eats
No frills counter-serve small pizza place that sells by-the-slice or whole pie. There is seating inside and outside
Trendy cafe that sells small-batch coffee beans and drinks. I tried the Ube Latte; the ube flavor was definitely present, but it wasn't quite the flavor explosion I was hoping for. It was good, just a little underwhelming.
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