San Francisco - California Academy of Sciences 
The California Academy of Sciences, located in beautiful Golden Gate Park, is an architectural marvel as well as a multifaceted museum. The building that houses the academy is a state of the art "green" building with a sustainable design. The structure has a 2.5 acre Living Roof, covered with native plants and even rolling hills to match the natural surroundings of the area.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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The roof also has solar panels to generate electricity, and the soil acts as natural insulation. The walls are largely made of glass allowing for natural light.
But the museum is more than just the building, inside is an incredible natural history museum, planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, and more. The Steinhart Aquarium includes some 38,000 live specimens, and a 25 feet deep coral reef. The rainforest is four stories high with all kinds of animals and amphibians in a fantastic layout. You can even descend in a glass elevator to the deepest depths where you end up looking up through an acrylic tunnel to see fish swimming overhead. The Kimball Natural History Museum has skeletons of a T-Rex and blue whale and all kinds of interesting exhibits. You'll want to allow some time to explore all there is to see and do at this expansive museum.
But the museum is more than just the building, inside is an incredible natural history museum, planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, and more. The Steinhart Aquarium includes some 38,000 live specimens, and a 25 feet deep coral reef. The rainforest is four stories high with all kinds of animals and amphibians in a fantastic layout. You can even descend in a glass elevator to the deepest depths where you end up looking up through an acrylic tunnel to see fish swimming overhead. The Kimball Natural History Museum has skeletons of a T-Rex and blue whale and all kinds of interesting exhibits. You'll want to allow some time to explore all there is to see and do at this expansive museum.
Things to See
Kimball Natural History Museum
The Kimball Natural History Museum at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco is one of the ten largest in the world. It has displays of mammals, gems, insects and the Gary Larson Hall which features Far Side artwork from the popular cartoon series.
Laserium (closed)
The Laserium is one of Golden Gate Park's more unusual attractions. Concerts with laser lights are presented daily.
ATTRACTION IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
ATTRACTION IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
Morrison Planetarium
The Morrison Auditorium is in the California Academy of Sciences, as well as the Morrison Planetarium, the first "Theater of the Stars" that was not imported from Germany but constructed in the United States in 1951-52. 3,800 star patterns are projected on to a dome 65ft/20m in diameter.
Steinhart Aquarium
The Steinhart Aquarium at the end of the courtyard at the California Academy of Sciences, with the great fountain, has a vast collection of aquatic creatures. In its 243 tanks are over 38,000 fish, dolphins and reptiles (including alligators).
Wattis Hall of Man
The Wattis Hall of Man has life-size displays illustrating the evolution of Man. Other rooms focus on animals, plants, minerals and precious stones.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 11:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| Adult | $ 24.95 |
| Child 17 & under | $ 19.95 |
| Students | $ 19.95 |
| Senior over 65 | $ 19.95 |
| Child 11 & under | $ 14.95 |
| Child 3 & under | FREE |
Parking
Free
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
More California Resources
- San Francisco tours & things to do by Viator
