California Academy of Sciences: Explore San Francisco’s Living Museum of Nature & Home to an Indoor Rainforest, Aquarium & Planetarium

Claim to Fame

The California Academy of Sciences is one of the world’s largest natural history museums under one living roof—featuring a four-story rainforest dome, a 40-foot-deep Steinhart Aquarium, a world-class natural history collection, and the Morrison Planetarium.

📌 Navigating California Academy of Sciences : Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Admission Fee: Admission fees vary by age and membership status, with discounts available for children and seniors.
How Long to Visit: Visitors should plan to spend approximately 2 to 4 hours to fully experience the exhibits and activities.
Washrooms: Washrooms are conveniently located throughout the facility for visitor use.
Hours of Operation: The California Academy of Sciences is typically open from 9:30 AM to 5 PM, but hours may vary seasonally.
Important Information: Advance ticket purchase is recommended to avoid long lines, especially during peak visiting times.
Handicap Accessible: The facility is fully handicap accessible, with ramps, elevators, and designated seating areas.
Pets: Pets are not allowed inside the academy, with the exception of service animals.
Guided Tours: Guided tours are available and can be booked in advance for a more in-depth experience of the exhibits.
Restaurant or Cafe: There is a restaurant and cafe on-site offering a variety of dining options, including healthy choices.
Gift Shop: A gift shop is available, offering a range of educational toys, books, and souvenirs related to the exhibits.
Parking: The California Academy of Sciences offers a parking garage nearby, which is available for a fee.
Family Friendly: The Academy is family-friendly, featuring interactive exhibits and programs suitable for children of all ages.
Photography: Photography is permitted throughout the museum, but flash photography and tripods may be restricted in certain areas.
WIFI: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the museum for visitors to use during their stay.
Picnic Area: Picnicking is not permitted on the premises, but there are nearby parks for outdoor dining.

📌Heads up: All times, prices and visitor policies are subject to change without notice. Please check the official website for the most recent information.

Photos of California Academy of Sciences

Located in Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences invites visitors into an immersive journey through Earth’s ecosystems and cosmic wonders. Wander the misty rainforest dome humming with free-flying birds and butterflies, explore the dazzling coral reef in the aquarium’s living wall, marvel at the planetarium’s star-filled dome shows, and stroll among fossil halls showcasing 38 million specimens. With interactive exhibits, live animal encounters, and groundbreaking research displays, the Academy blends education, conservation, and discovery under its iconic living roof.

What to Expect

Begin on the ground floor in the Steinhart Aquarium—peer through floor-to-ceiling windows into a 400,000-gallon coral reef, watch African penguins at play, and touch sea stars in the tidepool. Ascend to the Rainforest Dome’s four levels of lush habitat, where tropical birds soar overhead and rainforest creatures like piranha and tree frogs inhabit recreated canopies. Don’t miss the Morrison Planetarium’s immersive “Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity” show on its 75-foot-wide dome. In the Kimball Natural History Museum, walk beneath a towering real-skeleton T. rex and explore dioramas of California’s ecosystems alongside field-researchers’ specimen displays.

Background and Cultural Context

Founded in 1853, the Academy is one of America’s oldest scientific institutions. The 2008 LEED-Platinum building—designed by Renzo Piano—features a 2.5-acre green roof that insulates exhibits and shelters native plants and songbirds. As both a public museum and active research center, the Academy’s scientists study biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable resources. Its mission—to explore, explain, and sustain life—drives community programs, field expeditions, and citizen-science initiatives that connect local and global audiences to pressing environmental issues.

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings (9:30–11:30 AM) offer quieter galleries and shorter lines at touch tanks. Late afternoons (2–4 PM) provide ideal light in the rainforest and aquarium as visitor flow softens. Sunday mornings feature live animal feedings at 10 AM; planetarium shows run hourly—reserve tickets early. Spring (April–June) and fall (September–November) bring pleasant park weather for combining a museum visit with nearby Conservatory of Flowers or Japanese Tea Garden outings.

How to Get There

The Academy is at 55 Music Concourse Drive in Golden Gate Park. Muni: N-Judah to 9th Avenue and bus 44 to Music Concourse. Free 2-hour parking is available on JFK Drive (after 5 PM weekends) and free valet for members. Paid lots lie nearby on Fulton and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The museum is fully wheelchair- and stroller-accessible; loaner wheelchairs and courtesy strollers are provided at the entrance.

Photo Opportunities

Panoramic shot of the living green roof with the Rainforest Dome rising above Golden Gate Park trees
Underwater view of colorful coral and tropical fish in the aquarium’s living wall
Wide-angle of the rainforest canopy with birds in flight beneath the glass ceiling
Immersive planetarium starfield and audience silhouettes during a cosmic show
Dynamic perspective of the T. rex skeleton in the natural history hall beneath skylights

Travel Tips

Purchase timed-entry tickets online to guarantee access and reduce wait times at peak hours.
Plan at least four hours to experience aquarium, rainforest, planetarium, and natural history halls.
Check the daily schedule for feeding times, keeper talks, and planetarium showtimes upon arrival.
Bring layers—interior climates vary from cool planetarium seating to humid rainforest levels.
Combine with a stroll to the de Young Museum or a paddleboat ride on Stow Lake for a full Golden Gate Park day.

FAQs

Is admission required?
Yes—general admission is USD 46 for adults, USD 38 for seniors/students, USD 32 for youth (4–11); members and children under 3 enter free. Planetarium shows and special exhibitions may require additional fees.

Can I touch animals?
Yes—supervised touch pools in the aquarium allow gentle interaction with select invertebrates. Please follow staff guidance.

Are guided tours available?
Yes—daily highlights tours depart at 11 AM and 2 PM; private group tours must be booked in advance.

Final Thoughts

The California Academy of Sciences offers a unique convergence of living ecosystems, scientific discovery, and immersive entertainment—all under one living roof. Whether you’re marveling at rainforest biodiversity, diving into ocean worlds, or gazing into the cosmos, the Academy inspires wonder and stewardship of our planet’s precious life.

Things To Do near California Academy of Sciences

Japanese Tea Garden

The Distance from California Academy of Sciences to Japanese Tea Garden is 0.6 Kilometer(s) / 0.4 Mile(s)

Golden Gate Park

The Distance from California Academy of Sciences to Golden Gate Park is 2.9 Kilometer(s) / 1.8 Mile(s)

Palace of Fine Arts

The Distance from California Academy of Sciences to Palace of Fine Arts is 6.3 Kilometer(s) / 3.9 Mile(s)

Union Square

The Distance from California Academy of Sciences to Union Square is 8.9 Kilometer(s) / 5.5 Mile(s)

Golden Gate Bridge

The Distance from California Academy of Sciences to Golden Gate Bridge is 9.2 Kilometer(s) / 5.7 Mile(s)

Chinatown

The Distance from California Academy of Sciences to Chinatown is 9.3 Kilometer(s) / 5.8 Mile(s)

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

The Distance from California Academy of Sciences to San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is 9.7 Kilometer(s) / 6 Mile(s)

Fisherman's Wharf

The Distance from California Academy of Sciences to Fisherman's Wharf is 9.7 Kilometer(s) / 6 Mile(s)

Exploratorium

The Distance from California Academy of Sciences to Exploratorium is 10.9 Kilometer(s) / 6.8 Mile(s)

Alcatraz Island

The Distance from California Academy of Sciences to Alcatraz Island is 11.9 Kilometer(s) / 7.4 Mile(s)

📘 San Francisco Visitors Travel Information

Time Zone: San Francisco operates on Pacific Standard Time (PST), which is UTC -8. During Daylight Saving Time, it shifts to Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC -7.

Weather: San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate with cool, foggy summers and mild, wet winters. Average summer highs are around 19°C (66°F), while winter temperatures typically range from 8°C to 14°C (46°F to 57°F). Coastal fog is common, especially in the mornings.

Population: San Francisco has a population of approximately 815,000 people, with over 4.5 million in the greater Bay Area. The city is known for its diversity, progressive culture, and vibrant tech economy.

Size: San Francisco spans about 121 square kilometers (47 square miles), making it one of the most compact major cities in the U.S. It is built on steep hills and surrounded on three sides by water, contributing to its iconic skyline.

Language: English is the primary language spoken in San Francisco. Due to the city’s diversity, many residents also speak Spanish, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Tagalog, and other languages.

Currency: The official currency is the United States Dollar (USD). Credit cards, mobile payments, and contactless systems are widely accepted across the city.

Safety: San Francisco is generally safe, especially in tourist areas. However, petty crimes like car break-ins and theft can occur. Visitors should avoid leaving valuables in parked vehicles and stay alert in certain neighborhoods.

Tipping: Tipping is standard in San Francisco. A 15–20% tip is customary in restaurants, and gratuities are also expected for taxi drivers, hotel staff, and other service providers.

Electricity and Plugs: The United States uses 120V electricity at 60Hz. Plug types A and B are standard. Travelers from countries using other systems should bring an adapter and possibly a voltage converter.

Water: Tap water in San Francisco is safe to drink and sourced from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in the Sierra Nevada. It is known for its high quality and pleasant taste.

Annual Visitors: San Francisco attracts over 20 million visitors annually. Major attractions include the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and historic cable cars.

Visa Requirements: Most international visitors need a valid passport and may require a visa or ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program. Entry requirements vary by country of origin.

Health & Vaccinations: No specific vaccinations are required for visiting San Francisco. Routine immunizations such as measles, flu, and COVID-19 are recommended, especially during winter and flu season.

Transportation: San Francisco has an extensive public transportation system, including Muni buses, metro, cable cars, and BART trains. Walking is common, but the city’s hills can be challenging. Rideshares and taxis are also widely available.

Food: San Francisco’s culinary scene is world-renowned. Local favorites include sourdough bread, Dungeness crab, and Mission-style burritos. The city also offers diverse global cuisines and numerous Michelin-starred restaurants.

Etiquette & Cultural Norms: San Franciscans are known for being progressive, informal, and inclusive. It’s common to greet with a smile or casual conversation. Cultural openness and respect for diversity are highly valued.

Telecommunications & Connectivity: Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafes, libraries, and public spaces. Mobile coverage is strong throughout the city, and SIM cards are easily available from major U.S. carriers.

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is advised when visiting San Francisco to cover medical emergencies, trip interruptions, and theft. U.S. healthcare is high quality but can be expensive without coverage.

Did You Know? - Facts About California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is one of the largest natural history museums in the world, housing an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum all under one roof.

The museum is located in Golden Gate Park and features a living roof, which is covered with native plants and is designed to be environmentally sustainable.

The Morrison Planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences is the largest all-digital planetarium in the world, offering immersive shows about space and astronomy.

The Academy’s Osher Rainforest exhibit is a four-story dome that recreates a tropical rainforest environment, complete with free-flying birds and butterflies.

The Steinhart Aquarium, located within the Academy, is home to over 40,000 animals from more than 900 species, including fish, reptiles, and amphibians.