California Academy of Sciences: Tickets
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California Academy of Sciences: Tickets

Combine marine life, planets, tropical biomes and natural history in San Francisco

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California Academy of Sciences
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An aquarium, planetarium, and rainforest under one roof!

  • Tickets for daytime admission to the California Academy of Sciences
  • Admission to all shows and exhibitions
  • Access to a wide range of interactive daily programming
  • Penguin Feeding (Daily, 10:30 am & 3:00 pm)
  • Coral Reef Dive (Daily 11:30, Sat/Sun 1:30 pm)
  • Swamp Talk (Daily, 3:30 pm)
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FAMILY FUN

California Academy of Sciences Tickets and Information

  • California Academy of Sciences Address: 55,Music Concourse Drive, 94118, San Francisco
  • Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday: 09:30 - 17:00 | Sunday: 11:00 - 17:00

Is California Academy of Sciences Worth Visiting

  • It’s definitely worth visiting in our opinion.
  • A fun place for all to enjoy.

What Visitors See and Do at California Academy of Sciences

  • Home to thousands of animals
  • Science Exhibits
  • Dinosaur Skeleton!
  • Planetarium
  • And More!

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About California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park is a renowned museum that’s dedicated to natural sciences research, education, and public engagement - and FUN - LOTS OF FUN!

Its the only place that we know of that combines an aquarium, a planetarium, a rainforest and a natural history museum all under one incredible 'living' roof. So we are very much hoping you will find something you like there!

The academy was actually established way back in 1853, which makes it over 170 years old! It's also one of the oldest scientific institutions in the western United States! So it has been around for a while!

Under the living roof, you will find multiple different halls and exhibits with some of the most popular being...

Steinhart Aquarium

The Steinhart Aquarium is home to a vast collection of marine life from over 900 different species from around the world! It includes a variety of exhibits, such as a Philippine Coral Reef, Water Planet, African Penguins, The Swamp, Twilight Zone: Deep Reefs Revealed, California Coast & Osher Rainforest. The aquarium is a firm favourite with families that visit. They've got species in the aquarium that you can't normally see elsewhere. The aquarium also has a research section where they are trying to reverse the world's rapid deterioration of coral. They've got the first aquarium based coral spawning lab, where they are growing coral to put back into nature.

Kimball Natural History Museum

The Kimball Natural History Museum shows the past, present and future of life on earth! Its aim is to show our planet's uniqueness and how it works. It offers a wide range of exhibits on topics such as palaeontology, geology, and anthropology. One of the popular exhibits in this section is it's T. rex skeleton which is in the main reception area for all to admire! Other exhibits in the section include: Tusher African Hall which is home to the museums colony of African penguins and the 'Journey to Africa' display which concentrates on our evolution! Colour of Life, which shows how important colour is to the world and how its used in nature. Hidden Wonders is home to more than 700 specimens and scientific collections. Gems & Minerals is home to the museums collection of stones and gems in their various forms, from raw uncut stones to cut and polished examples & A library of life which is home to some of the museums collection of animal species that shows the depth and variety of the worlds animal kingdom.

Morrison Planetarium

One of the most advanced digital planetariums in the world. The Morrison Planetarium offers immersive shows about astronomy and space exploration which are put together from cutting-edge scientific research and are projected on to the incredible 75-foot-diameter screen!

Osher Rainforest

The Osher Rainforest is an incredible four-story rainforest dome in the academy that is around 90 feet tall! The exhibit, which is one of the largest rainforest domes in the world, houses free-flying birds, butterflies, reptiles, Amazonian fish, spiders, turtles and a diverse collection of plant species. It provides you with an up-close experience of a tropical rainforest ecosystem. The rainforest even has a water tunnel where you can walk under the flooded section. It is quite incredible.

Research Centre

The academy is also a leading research institution and employs scientists to conduct research in various fields, including biodiversity, climate change, and evolutionary biology. Its one of they ways it stays ahead with it continued research which enables it to educate you when you visit!

Living Roof

And all of this is under one amazing LIVING roof! - The roof is an innovative green roof which is covered with native plant species and offers insulation and a habitat for local wildlife!

Popular Attractions

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California Academy of Sciences FAQs

  • Do I need to book tickets in advance for the California Academy of Sciences?
  • We always suggest booking online, yes. Although it’s not compulsory, it can save you a lot of time as queues can form at the ticket office.
  • Is the roof a garden at the California Academy of Sciences?
  • The roof is a living roof - it’s an environmentally friendly space that helps insulate the building and also offers a home to local wildlife. It’s an incredible sustainable roof with lots of plant life.
  • Is the California Academy of Sciences wheelchair accessible?
  • Yes, the California Academy of Sciences is wheelchair accessible.
  • Is there an aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences?
  • Yes, the California Academy of Sciences does have a large aquarium inside.
  • What is the California Academy of Sciences?
  • The California Academy of Sciences is a natural history museum in San Francisco which features exhibits on biology, astronomy, geology, and environmental science. It’s a great place to visit with the family!
  • What are the main attractions at the California Academy of Sciences?
  • Popular sections in the museum include: Steinhart Aquarium which is a big collection of marine life! Osher Rainforest which is a four-story rainforest exhibit inside the museum! Morrison Planetarium which is a state-of-the-art digital planetarium! Living Roof which is a 2.5-acre rooftop garden and the Kimball Natural History Museum which shows exhibits on earth sciences and biodiversity!
  • What is the Living Roof at the California Academy of Sciences?
  • The Living Roof is a green roof which is covered with native plants that are designed to regulate the building's temperature and collect rainwater. It’s very cool!
  • Is the California Academy of Sciences suitable for children?
  • Yes, it offers interactive exhibits, a hands-on discovery zone, and programs tailored for young visitors!
  • Are there live animals at the California Academy of Sciences?
  • Yes, the Academy houses over 40,000 animals which includes penguins, snakes, fish, and exotic birds!
  • What is the Osher Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences?
  • It is an enclosed rainforest dome with free-flying birds, butterflies, and tropical plants. It’s very popular!

California Academy of Sciences Fun Facts

  • Oldest Institution: The California Academy of Sciences was founded way back in 1853, which makes it one of the oldest museums of its kind in the United States!
  • Living Roof Design: The roof has seven hills to mimic San Francisco's topography!
  • Sustainability Leader: At the time of writing - it’s the largest public Platinum LEED-certified building in the world!
  • Home to Claude: A rare albino alligator named Claude is a beloved resident of the Academy!
  • T-Rex Skeleton: The lobby features a life-size Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton replica!
  • Global Biodiversity: The Steinhart Aquarium is home to ecosystems from around the world, including the Amazon and the Philippine Coral Reef!
  • Butterfly Haven: The Osher Rainforest in the museum houses over 1,600 live butterflies!
  • Space Exploration: The Morrison Planetarium features a projection system so advanced it's one of the largest in the world!
  • World-Class Research: The Academy supports scientific research globally and has described over 46,000 species.
  • Night Life Events: The museum hosts weekly after-hours events for adults only that include live music, cocktails, and unique science experiences!

Useful Information About California Academy of Science

Tips for visiting

  • Buy Tickets in Advance: Purchasing tickets online ahead of time can save you from long lines that can form at the academy and ensure you get in, especially on busy days.
  • Combination Tickets: Consider one of our great combination tickets that give you access to more than just the California Academy of Sciences. Click HERE for combination ticket options.
  • Arrive Early: Arriving when the museum opens gives you the chance to explore popular exhibits like the Rainforest and the Planetarium before they get crowded. Plan to visit the Osher Rainforest first, as lines can get long and the exhibit often has a limited capacity.

How to get there

  • California Academy of Sciences, 55,Music Concourse Drive, 94118, San Francisco

Opening Hours
  • Monday: 09:30 - 17:00
  • Tuesday: 09:30 - 17:0
  • Wednesday: 09:30 - 17:00
  • Thursday: 09:30 - 17:00
  • Friday: 09:30 - 17:00
  • Saturday: 09:30 - 17:00
  • Sunday: 11:00 - 17:00

Why book with us?
Digital Ticket icon
Digital
Ticket Entry
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Great Discounts
Available
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Flexible
Cancelations
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