San Francisco's premiere science museum, the Exploratorium, is exploring a move from its longtime home at the Palace of Fine Arts to the waterfront between Fisherman's Wharf and the Ferry Building.

The new digs at Piers 15 and 17 would double the size of the popular museum from 100,000 to 200,000 square feet and likely draw more visitors since it would be next to the heart of San Francisco's bustling tourist district and closer to mass transit.

"We long ago outgrew our current space. Piers 15 and 17 represent a great new home for us," said Christina Orth, chief of staff for the Exploratorium. "We've been in a 1915 building with no infrastructure."

Exploratorium officials said they were "hopeful" they would reach a deal for the spot, although they are taking an in-depth look at whether it would be environmentally and politically feasible. Piers 15 and 17 are located on Embarcadero near Green Street.

The project would be part of a larger redevelopment of some of San Francisco's piers from industrial boatyards to business, entertainment attractions and open space. A massive mall is planned for Piers 27 and 29, a cruise ship terminal for Piers 30 to 32 and a new four-star hotel is planned at Embarcadero and Broadway.

A Board of Supervisors committee took a step toward pushing the deal along Monday by approving a resolution that would allow the Port of San Francisco to negotiate exclusively with the Exploratorium to lease the site. The resolution must be approved by the full Board of Supervisors.

The new museum would feature a café, museum store, a theater and space for building exhibits. Pier 15 is currently being used as a warehouse and is in need of repairs, said Renee Dunn, a spokeswoman for the Port of San Francisco. Dunn said the port was aware of the Exploratorium's interest in the site.

Jon Golinger, executive director of Citizens to Save the Waterfront, said the Exploratorium seems like a better option for the waterfront than the mall at Piers 30 to 32, which his group opposes. The group has not taken a formal position on the Exploratorium project.

"It's the right kind of thing that the waterfront needs, but the port will be pressed on congestion and traffic given that it is only a few blocks away from another major development," Golinger said.

More than 500,000 people visit the Exploratorium every year. It features interactive science and art exhibits and an international center for teacher development such as the Tactile Dome, which museumgoers walk through in the dark. It features objects made out of different textures.