SLAC Public Tour, May 22, 2026 at 1:00 pm

Our SLAC tour guides will show you around the 2-mile-long linear accelerator, and the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), the world’s first hard X-ray free-electron laser. Tour stops may vary depending on availability.

SLAC public tours last approximately 90 minutes and will meet at 1:00 p.m. at the Orientation Theater in Building 53, located across from the main SLAC entrance. Tours are open to visitors 12 years of age and above. Minors 12-17 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

The main gate will open for site entry at 12:30 a.m. Tour participants must depart from SUSB by 3:00 pm.

During registration, visitors are required to review and agree to assume certain risks of participating in the tour, which are specified in a waiver for your signature. Waivers for permitted children over 12 years old must be signed by a parent or guardian. Please use your full name to register and to sign the waiver.

In order for SLAC to provide a safe environment for the public and our employees, no handbags or backpacks larger than 12"x6"x12" will be allowed. Please leave your bags and backpacks at home. Exceptions to this policy will be made for all medically necessary items after proper inspection from SLAC-badged staff.

Once the tour is over, you may look around Building 53 but you are not permitted to visit other other areas of the lab after the tour has concluded.

Registration is limited to two tickets per person. If you are trying to reserve two tickets, make sure both participants sign up with their full names and details, and sign their own initials. IDs are checked at the main gate.

Please make sure to bring the following items to join the tour:

• A valid government-issued photo ID (REAL ID driver's license or passport)
• Wear closed-toed shoes

The tour involves walking and climbing stairs; if you require assistance or have accessibility concerns, please let us know in advance at [email protected].

In some cases, SLAC may need to cancel the tour. You will be notified of the cancellation as soon as possible using the email address you provided on your registration.

Click here for more information on public tours. We look forward to hosting you at SLAC!

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