California Academy of Sciences

Activity Overview

The world’s only aquarium-planetarium-rainforest-living museum. Visitors can come nose-to-beak with penguins and parrots, watch sharks and sting rays cruise beneath your feet, and feel the spray of the California coast.

Enjoy IMAX quality movie shorts in the planetarium, take a virtual safari in African Hall, or climb into the canopy of a living rainforest. View an albino alligator—inside the Swamp, and meet scientists as they return from research expeditions around the world.

Things to See & Do

The Living Roof - An open-air observation terrace enables visitors to get a close-up look at the roof's lush canopy of plants. The view encompasses the densest concentration of native wildflowers in San Francisco. It's also an ideal location for watching Northern California’s birds, butterflies and insects.

Steinhart Aquarium - The aquarium is home to 38,000 live animals from around the world, representing more than 900 separate species. This is a beautiful and calming retreat that kids of all ages will enjoy.

Morrison Planetarium - the largest all-digital planetarium in the world. State-of-the-art projector and software technologies allow the planetarium to produce the most accurate and interactive digital Universe ever created. (*timed tickets are required, but there is no additional fee).

Rainforest Biosphere - Visitors can watch the birds, tiny frogs & butterflies from around the world inside the dome, and it can also be explored from above and below for more unique vantage points.

California Academy of Sciences Insider Tips

• The cafeteria offers an excellent array of food choices. Many organic and healthy choices are available.
• The Academy is just down the block from the Japanese Tea Gardens.
• If you are planning to see a planetarium show, you must get a timed ticket in advance. Tickets are free, you just need to get one at one of the kiosks.