An aquarium, planetarium, and rainforest under one roof!
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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...
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!