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California Academy of Sciences

Science Museum, Planetarium, and Aquarium

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

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9.4^/10

3,750

ratings

Ranked #6 for exhibits in San Francisco
The experts at SF Weekly and SFist recommend this place
"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)

465 Tips and reviews

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planetarium
rainforest
thursday night
butterflies
DJs
tours
museums
architecture
dinosaurs
aquariums
cute
gardens
dancing
free admission
spacious
discounts
good for dates
exhibits
music
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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.
Taylor LeeJuly 10, 2018
The perfect place to take the whole family - the rainforest exhibit at the museum is my favorite.
ecomaginationApril 20, 2011
The LEED Platinum-certified CAS is considered the greenest museum in the world for its mix of solar panels, radiant floor heating, recycled denim insulation & one of the coolest green roofs we've seen
Vickram PhulariApril 21, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Dont miss the Morrison planetarium shows .. Especially the dark matter show .. And the universe show ... They all are amazing ...
Ryan BlockMay 15, 2017
What a great place to explore and learn something new. Very focused on the earth and animals.
John (aka “PHATFoodFan”)July 8, 2019
Check out the flamboyant cuttlefish! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzms0NRDzl6/?igshid=6o1f5mkieaeg
K12 IncJune 30, 2011
Did you know? Founded in 1853, just three years after California joined the United States, the Academy of Sciences was the first institution of its kind west of the Atlantic seaboard. Read more
Al B.December 17, 2016
A worthwhile place to see the beauty of nature and science. Come here early!
Neal JosephMarch 29, 2013
Easily the best science museum I've ever visited. Smart, intellectually engaging displays geared toward curious adults.
Patrick KeenanSeptember 8, 2017
Check out Thursday night night life, so cool to have cocktails around science
Callum ThompsonAugust 8, 2014
Great aquarium on the bottom level with a large range of fish.
Heather SullivanApril 5, 2010
Definitely check out the Rainforest and Planetarium. The Extreme Mammal exhibit is awesome, too. In the Africa exhibit pay attention to the background of the zebras. You'll get a neat surprise!
Leo KimMarch 21, 2016
Beautiful exhibits. But, on a rainy Monday on spring break with no other museums open, this place is a shitshow.
Karen HammondOctober 22, 2013
Fantastic museum and fun place for kids and families - how could I not like it n, my son works here!
Nathan LeeApril 6, 2018
The aquarium is well-designed, and the living rainforest is really cool!
CamiliaJune 19, 2019
A lot of things to see. Member night..not crowded.
Stephanie RobinsonJune 2, 2015
Great place for kids of all ages! The rainforest is awesome!
Brandon CainNovember 16, 2016
Hidden gem of SF. Great for all ages and they give military discount!
Rebecca WangJanuary 2, 2015
Come early. Grab free tickets for the planetarium. Spend a whole day here and get inspired!
Chona GuernseyNovember 7, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Great fun and educational for young and old alike
KrystylMarch 5, 2012
Been here 10+ times
Get the individual membership for $99. Its good for you plus a guest for as many times as you want to visit in a year! Totally worth it!
JimMarch 27, 2016
Excellent museum. Go, and bring the kids. They don't have to be your kids.
Daniel PlemmonsMarch 30, 2015
The CalAcad Planetarium beats out every other planetarium oh been to in terms of projection and show quality.
ScottySauceAugust 16, 2011
be sure to see the platypus exhibit. They are so fun to watch and they are truly more than just one of God's jokes when it comes to nature.
Melody ScottJanuary 7, 2017
Be sure to get your planetarium tickets first so you get into the show you want
BingFebruary 6, 2012
After some culture, take in some nature. Here’s a trail map to find your way to the park’s coolest spots: http://binged.it/wkEw2R
JennyMay 31, 2015
The rainforest is super cool. Also I hear good things about the planetarium but have only gone for nightlife (Thurs, $12, 21+) and am always late.
Shiva ShankarJuly 8, 2016
Variety of fishes and rare white crocodile and rain forest theme inside the glass
Romit BhattacharyaSeptember 28, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Nightlife on Thursday nights is the best! DJs playing cool music, good food, and interesting exhibits!
Chuck ReynoldsJanuary 20, 2015
Been here 5+ times
get tickets for the dome shows early THEN go walk around - they fill up quickly!
lynn friedmanJuly 10, 2013
Check out their late night Thursday events, 6-10pm. There's a live band, bar, exhibits and mingling. Tix $10+
Sam SabriJuly 5, 2016
Visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Thom MahoneySeptember 13, 2016
Get planetarium tickets first, then go see the museum.
Kian LaviApril 1, 2016
The rainforest and planetarium were so cool!
James CJuly 29, 2013
Totally worth a trip. A little expensive but it has all of the exhibits that are good.
Justin DOctober 12, 2014
If you're going for Nightlife, arrive early and speed-walk to get your planetarium tickets before they run out.
Alex ChenJuly 29, 2018
Go to Nightlife on Thursday nights. Get there early to see the exhibits!
Alan HJanuary 26, 2020
Tickets aren’t cheap, so take advantage of free admission on neighborhood weekends!
Mishell PaulinoJune 5, 2013
Planetarium, natural history museum, rainforest habitat, aquarium, and the famous "living roof".
Arthur ChangJuly 26, 2013
Been here 25+ times
DJ in the cafe today is really good. It's nice to have a legit DJ once in awhile these days.
Jackie LeeDecember 22, 2011
Want to get here via BART? Exit at Glen Park Station. Then board Muni across the street. (Line 44 - California & 6th Ave.) Stops right in front!
Violet BlueSeptember 16, 2011
Been here 5+ times
Thursday nightlife: fab DJ's, bars on all levels, strange hands-on science exhibits, great food, always something flirty and fun. Go!
Vickye WongJuly 31, 2019
What a different place it is now from when it opened, so many years ago. The entrance price has gone up, the place is not kept well and the live fish look sick. Monterey Bay Aqurium does better!
Dai ShiAugust 16, 2014
Go for Thursday Nightlife to avoid the children (it's 21+). Have a drink and look at the fishies.
Keith Richardson IIFebruary 26, 2016
Great place to go to on a first date
Gabe SumnerAugust 31, 2014
Aquarium, Planetarium, Living Roof. You can easily kill a day here.
Frank KimMarch 12, 2016
That albino alligator is amazing to see.
Paul SolisAugust 29, 2013
Get the planetarium tickets as soon as you get in. Shows are very popular and therefore very crowded
Noha EissaJune 10, 2017
It's a great place to go and experience new knowledge
Dan WhiteOctober 12, 2012
Find the children's eel garden during Nightlife for a secret DJ.

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