California Academy of Sciences
- Address: 55 Music Concourse Dr, Golden Gate Park
- Hours: Open daily 9:30am - 5pm (Sun from 11am)
- Admission: $30 (adults)
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Good for Kids,
Nature & Wildlife,
Museum
Inside bucolic Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences holds a fascinating collection of 38,000 natural wonders and the occasional freak of nature. Under the wildflower-covered “living roof,” butterflies flutter through a four-story glass rainforest dome, a rare white alligator stalks a swamp, and Pierre the Penguin paddles his massive new tank in the African Hall.
Downstairs, kids are sure to enjoy the basement aquarium, where they can duck inside a glass bubble to enter an eel forest, find Nemos in tropical fish tanks, or pet starfish. Head upward in the elevator to the roof for panoramic views of Golden Gate Park, or glimpse skyward into infinity in the Planetarium. For the ecology-minded, check out the displays throughout the main floor, which show how conservation issues affect California’s ecosystem.
If you stay for lunch, the dining options at the Academy are first-rate, as both the Academy Café and Moss Room restaurant are run by two of the city's top chefs, Charles Phan and Loretta Keller, and feature local, organic, sustainable foods.
Latest Reviews
Review by Wendy F, May 2013
Doing what: Skip the Line: California Academy of Sciences General Admission Ticket
Was great to have things taken care of and be able to walk right in.
Review by Donald M, May 2013
Doing what: Skip the Line: California Academy of Sciences General Admission Ticket
We spent 5 hours in this amazing place. The aquarium was outstanding. We watched the diver within one of the large fish tanks and listened to his audio interaction with a guide from within the tank. Excellent to watch. The earthquake display is very good and the presentation given in the large dome was exceptional. Remember to try and sit at the back seats for a greater effect. Well worth the trek to get there as not central to other places in SFO.
Review by Pam, April 2013
Doing what: California Academy of Sciences NightLife
the evening tour is less crowded i guess ( no kids)
Practical Info
The California Academy of Sciences is conveniently located on the west side of Golden Gate Park, and is easily accessible via public transportation. This side of Golden Gate Park is also home to the San Francisco Botanical Garden & Strybing Arboretum or the MH de Young Memorial Museum.
