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California Academy of Sciences

Science Museum, Planetarium, and Aquarium

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

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9.3^/10

3,753

ratings

Ranked #6 for exhibits in San Francisco
Has a stamp of approval from SF Weekly and SFist
"Thursday night DJ, music, cocktails & very cool things to see"(37 Tips)
"A beautiful aquarium along with the tropical rainforest tour."(36 Tips)
"The planetarium and butterfly exhibit where our favorites."(15 Tips)
"Be sure to visit the Planetarium & the Living Roof!"(11 Tips)

466 Tips and reviews

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planetarium
rainforest
thursday night
butterflies
DJs
tours
museums
architecture
dinosaurs
aquariums
cute
gardens
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free admission
spacious
discounts
good for dates
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Kelly 🍰August 28, 2012
Get VIP Night at the Cal Academy tickets for $50 and skip the line at the Planetarium. The Night is great for 20 something singles and first dates, with an etsy-type atmosphere.
Karina LopesDecember 4, 2014
The tropical forest inside is simply wonderful. It is very warm but you can find lots is butterflies flying free
Yuri's NightJanuary 21, 2014
Be sure to check out Morrison Planetarium to learn about the mysteries of the universe. Then don't forget to see the stars for yourself when you head outside tonight.
Xavier RobertsApril 23, 2014
Need to visit in the day, but Nightlife at the Academy was awesome! Where else can you have a drink, enjoy good music, and check out an aquarium?!
PleyisJune 21, 2016
Excelent planetary experience. Aquarium beautiful! There are discounts for students presenting your credentials, no matter if it is foreign.
Bennett W WongNovember 13, 2014
Been here 10+ times
Perfect for kids, teens, adults and seniors. If you're studying biology and astronomy, then this is the perfect venue to enhance your knowledge in these subject fields.
Maddy CookeJuly 29, 2016
Checkout the Academy Store and visit Lemondrop, the yellow boa constrictor. They also have cool tees.
Eric PanApril 21, 2021
Been here 10+ times
Bike parking in front and in the underground garage but bring a hefty lock and know it’s high risk 😬
Trish PeachApril 5, 2015
Been here 5+ times
Membership at the California academy is the best - perfect for days out in the world of science.
César BlueAugust 4, 2015
If you're tourist, you have to visit this amazing museum. The ticket is a little expensive but is worth it.
Nina SNovember 7, 2014
Thursdat nightlife is awesome! No kids, drink while exploring, dj playing some tunes! This is the way to see a museum
Cameron KetchamDecember 24, 2015
The California Academy of Sciences is fun because you can go under the sea, visit a rain forest, and walk through the African Savanna.
Lisa Harper CarterJuly 8, 2015
Our favorite way to spend a Thursday night, Nightlife has DJs and bars stationed around the entire place for your Friday Eve enjoyment.
RaunaqAugust 31, 2015
Try out the fragile planet show in the planetarium. Its more about outer space than Earth itself but has an excellent immersive feel.
Fran SuMarch 23, 2016
The aquarium, the rain forest, and diving Santa. Make sure to get tickets for planetarium early.
MeowSeptember 15, 2014
This place is amazing! There's so many exhibits. I recommend going to the planetarium. It's the largest digital planetarium.
Binh NguyenJanuary 10, 2017
Awesome variety of things to do and see. The kids loved it. The staff was so friendly and helpful.
Helio MedeirosApril 9, 2016
Really love this place! You should try the earthquake machine :) the cafeteria isn't good at all
Catriona HunterJune 30, 2016
Been here 5+ times
The pendulum clock is mesmerising. Contains aquarium, rain-forest, planetarium, penguins, earth-quake zone and Claude the albino alligator, among other things.
Daniel ShrigleyDecember 8, 2013
This place is amazing my family and I spent the whole day enjoying every second of our experience.
Sheena WongSeptember 25, 2012
Been here 100+ times
Pick up a map and a daily schedule, but take only what you need to save paper :) read signs and pay attention to your surroundings; information both printed and spoken is everywhere~
Dika M.May 13, 2013
This place is fun for adults too! Make time to see it all. The planetarium and butterfly exhibit where our favorites.
Fi VeiNovember 9, 2015
An amazing museum with a lot of activities, you need almost a whole day to do everything!
Ken BaldwinMarch 31, 2014
This is worth going to. they have an amazing biodome and cool aquarium thats integrated into it. I love going here around 420.. hint hahahah
Brandon NuckeltNovember 3, 2017
Go for the Late Night evenings for a learn, dance, and chill with a nice cocktail. It's adults only!
Doug de WetJanuary 19, 2017
The Aquarium and Planetarium were high points of the visit. Be sure to pick up planetarium tickets soon after entering.
Spoon CarvalhoApril 22, 2022
Want a fun night out for Adults! Checkout NightLife. Lots of fun.
Sarah TrottJuly 8, 2019
Been here 10+ times
Don’t miss the rainforest exhibit
Eric AndersenApril 22, 2014
The rainforest inside the museum is incredible and immersive…don't miss it!
Helena DezsiAugust 24, 2018
The aquarium was really nice and got to touch the starfish and sea urchin
Arthur ChangAugust 15, 2011
Been here 25+ times
There's free WiFi! Outlets are a bit scarce, but come during the week when there's no freakishly large crowds. My favorite is hanging out in front of the reef tank.
Aaron KOctober 20, 2011
Very cool, modern building. Fun to go on Thursday nights to their "Nighlife"--wander around the museum while sipping on cocktails. Buy tickets in advance.
Citrus LaneAugust 16, 2011
Expose baby to colorful fish and splashing tide pool water! When you both need a break, the big, plushly carpeted baby playroom (with age-appropriate toys) offers a quiet place to snack or even doze.
Tristan TranMay 23, 2015
If you're cool and 21+ years old, go on Thursday nights, where you can visit the museum with drinks and music!
Ramani NatarajanJune 8, 2014
Awesome science exhibits. And a great setting for the museum. Reminds me is the Museum Campus in Chicago.
David UyJanuary 19, 2011
Been here 50+ times
Get your planetarium passes as soon as you enter the building, then hit the rainforest - it will take you to the aquarium as well. say hi to claude on your way up, check out the academy east and west
Be AndradaNovember 21, 2014
The places amazing, I strongly reccomend for everyone. You will remember your science teacher at a primary school.
Maya BorguetaOctober 21, 2016
Went for Nightlife (yoga night!) and loved doing yoga in front of the penguins. Sad that I arrived *just* too late to get in on space yoga though.
T TamNovember 30, 2014
Loved the skulls exhibit as well as aquarium and penguin feeding.
Michael DavidsonOctober 5, 2012
Always the best. I volunteer here so here's what u do. 1) get planetarium ticket 2) go to rainforest 3) do aquarium 4) go to show 5) see loving room 6) u win! Ps - nightlife is the best
Valeria BornsteinJune 8, 2011
Been here 100+ times
go to nightlife!!! its thursdays from 6-10! everything is open and its only half price! no kids and cash bar! different themes and performances every week. Check the website before you go for details Read more
Samantha McDuffeeJanuary 14, 2012
When you go to the thursday night events, head straight for thr planetarium and get there early for tickets. And the rainforest line closes at 7:30. So much fun!
Denise FOctober 28, 2016
If you are not from USA the price will shock you a little bit. It's an interesting museum very well designed.
Jinnie LOctober 23, 2014
Been here 5+ times
$34.95 for one adult is kinda pricey but they have lots to see. earthquake simulation & their skull exhibition were pretty cool!!! ;P
Westfield San Francisco CentreJuly 10, 2012
Come see San Francisco in a whole new light under the dome at Westfield San Francisco Centre. Our FREE 3D light spectacular starts every night at 5pm! For more info visit us on Facebook!
Brandon KirklenJuly 4, 2016
Cool place. Very beautiful, not particularly scientific but cool cursory overview of various topics
EmmaFebruary 22, 2015
Lovely place. The botanic garden and aquarium are my favorites. Visually stunning and dazzling.
Jacob MulliganAugust 8, 2014
The skulls exhibit is fantastic - talk to people in orange lab coats, they're museum volunteers and can answer all of your questions.
Laura SenchMay 4, 2013
Awesome exhibits! Esp the aquarium. Loved the nightlife series with bars and music, really interesting scene.
Christina M DillonSeptember 26, 2011
Wonderful science and nature museum. Lots of interesting animals, exhibits, and planetarium show. The architecture alone is worth the visit.

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