California Academy of Sciences: Where Science Comes to Life
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
- 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, Golden Gate Park, California, 94118, US
- +1415-379-8000
- Visit website
- 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.
Getting There
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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.
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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.
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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
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Unmissable attractions to see
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