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California Academy of Sciences: Where Science Comes to Life

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Explore an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum all in one place at San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences.

The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park is a world-class natural history museum, aquarium, planetarium, and research institution all under one living roof. With exhibits ranging from dinosaurs to a living rainforest, it offers an immersive experience for visitors of all ages.

A brief summary to California Academy of Sciences

  • Monday 9:30 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 9:30 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 11 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 9:30 am-5 pm
  • Friday 9:30 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 9:30 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 11 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, as the Academy is a popular destination and can get crowded.
  • Take public transportation to save $3 on daytime admission and avoid parking hassles.
  • Check the Academy's website for daily schedules of shows, feeding times, and special events.
  • Consider visiting on a Thursday night for NightLife (21+), a fun evening of drinks, music, and science.
  • Allow at least 3-4 hours to fully experience the museum's exhibits and attractions.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    MUNI is a convenient and affordable way to reach the Academy. Several bus and metro lines stop within a 10-minute walk. The 44 O'Shaughnessy bus stops directly in front of the Academy (northbound) and across the street at the de Young Museum (southbound). The 5 Fulton bus stops at Fulton St./8th Ave., a 5-minute walk to the Academy. The N Judah Metro stops at 9th Ave./Irving St., a 10-minute walk to the Academy. A single ride on MUNI costs $3.00.

  • Walking

    From the eastern side of Golden Gate Park, near the Conservatory of Flowers, walk west along the John F. Kennedy Drive. The Academy is located on the Music Concourse, near the de Young Museum and Japanese Tea Garden. The walk is approximately 1.5 miles and takes about 30 minutes.

  • Parking

    The Music Concourse Garage is an underground parking facility located steps from the Academy's main entrance. Enter from Fulton Street/10th Avenue or Music Concourse Drive/MLK Drive. Parking costs $5.25/hour on weekdays and $6.25/hour on weekends. Evening flat rate (after 5:30 PM) is $6.25. Free street parking is available on MLK Drive, Nancy Pelosi Drive, and around Stow Lake, but can be challenging to find on busy days.

Discover more about California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences, located in Golden Gate Park, is a unique institution that combines a natural history museum, aquarium, planetarium, and research facility. Founded in 1853, it's the only place on Earth to house all of these under one roof. The Academy's exhibits include the Steinhart Aquarium, home to nearly 60,000 animals representing over 1,000 species, and the Morrison Planetarium, one of the largest digital domes in the world. Visitors can explore the Kimball Natural History Museum, featuring exhibits from the past, present, and future of life on Earth, and immerse themselves in the Osher Rainforest, a lush, four-story biodome. The Academy's history is as rich as its collections. It began as a learned society and research institution and has evolved into a major public science education center. The museum's collections suffered a major loss during the 1906 earthquake, but it found a new home in Golden Gate Park in 1916. The current building, designed by Renzo Piano, opened in 2008 and is recognized for its sustainable design, including a living roof with over 1.7 million native plants. Whether you're interested in marine life, outer space, natural history, or rainforest ecosystems, the California Academy of Sciences offers a day of discovery and learning. Don't miss the penguin feeding, albino alligator, earthquake simulator, and special exhibits that make this museum a must-see destination.

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