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California Academy of Sciences

California Academy of Sciences

Science Museum, Planetarium, and Aquarium
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
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9.4/10
3,756
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    The folks at SF Weekly and SFist like this place. Would you agree?
    • SF Weekly
    • SFist
  • Tips
    Rez
    "Thursday night DJ, music, cocktails & very cool things to see"(37 Tips)
    Sid S.
    "A beautiful aquarium along with the tropical rainforest tour."(36 Tips)
    Maria D.
    "very rare butterflies"(15 Tips)
    Rochie M.
    "Be sure to visit the Planetarium & the Living Roof!"(11 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon465 Tips and reviews
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  • Cheryl G.
    Cheryl GreeneMay 25, 2013
    New exhibit on cleaning the ocean is well worth the time.
  • Marina C.heart icon on user image
    Marina CardosoMarch 19, 2016
    Amazing! A must see in SF!
  • Anna K.
    Anna KhandruevaFebruary 13, 2012
    Holy admission prices batman! Cool place but be prepared to shell out fifty bucks for 1 adult and 1 young child!
  • Jessica T.heart icon on user image
    Jessica TaylorJune 17, 2016
    Go for nightlife, everything is the Sam but cheaper and less crowed. 21+ only
  • Mario S.heart icon on user image
    Mario SobacchiAugust 24, 2014
    Always something new, and so much fun for kids
  • Mafer H.
    Mafer HAugust 31, 2014
    Great place to spend a whole day exploring about nature
  • Eric     吳道湘heart icon on user image
    Eric 吳道湘April 1, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    Better to go at night time. They have booze but a bit pricey but no kids
  • Lana V.heart icon on user image
    Lana VenturaAugust 27, 2016
    Bar, food and Dj every Thursday night! :)
  • Abraham F.
    Abraham FloresJune 19, 2010
    Been here 10+ times
    Nightlife is so much fun when you are with all your friends, you get to dance meet people and have a cocktail or two :)
  • Jessica C.
    Jessica ChanNovember 29, 2012
    Dont forget you need tickets to the planetarium. Get tickets first when you walk in.
  • Lesly S.
    Lesly SimmonsDecember 16, 2010
    The Planetarium is a must do. Get tix as soon as you arrive as you might have a wait to get in of an hour or more.
  • Janet H.
    Janet HMarch 24, 2016
    Come here on a Thursday night. Alcohol and science and no kids!
  • Rachel S.heart icon on user image
    Rachel SánchezAugust 6, 2016
    Nightlife on Thursdays! ❤️
  • Trevor C.
    Trevor CornwellJanuary 16, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    The cafe has excellent food. The Moss Room is one of the best restaurants in town
  • Napoleon
    NapoleonMay 6, 2012
    Claude the albino alligator has been known to stay underwater for 30 minutes. So if you are waiting for him to come up for air, be prepared to wait.
  • Liza T.
    Liza TDecember 5, 2010
    Amazing! Never get bored of it! If you are in town highly consider going. Going on now: an awesome winter program
  • Horia D.heart icon on user image
    Horia DragomirFebruary 26, 2017
    The Adult Thursday Nights should be a thing at every museum
  • Dora
    DoraJune 30, 2010
    Head on over on the first Wednesday of the month: admission is FREE! Get here early to avoid the long, long lines!Powered by ParentsConnect.com Read more
  • Boheart icon on user image
    BoJuly 30, 2016
    I didn't like this museum: Very busy with groups of kids. Lines for the penguins, planetarium and jungle. Also the aquaria looked sad: some were very small or had no plants. I saw a dead starfish :-(
  • Matthias Z.
    Matthias ZellerSeptember 28, 2009
    Been here 10+ times
    Go to the California Academy of Sciences and first check out the gigantic indoor greenhouse. Next visit the aquariums in the basement. Finally get some great snacks in the cafeteria.
  • Jackie L.
    Jackie LeeDecember 22, 2011
    The third Wednesday of the month is free! Grab a friend and head on over if you can!
  • Roy T.heart icon on user image
    Roy TrxJune 4, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Get an annual membership if you have toddlers. So worth it.
  • Ian W.heart icon on user image
    Ian WestcottDecember 1, 2014
    There's a squashed penny machine by the aquarium gift shop.
  • Curtis S.heart icon on user image
    Curtis ShoungSeptember 24, 2017
    Been here 25+ times
    It's all about the aquarium and the butterfly room. Everything else is a bit meh
  • Daniela R.heart icon on user image
    Daniela RodSeptember 5, 2017
    Better go on Thursday's night. If not, you will be crashing al over the place with kids. Not nice experience
  • Island Bruinheart icon on user image
    Island BruinAugust 12, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    The early planetarium show on Thursday night is live talk- not as polished but more interesting
  • Moses L.
    Moses LJune 7, 2013
    If you are going to nightlife, make sure you bring your photo ID or you will be turned away by the bouncers.
  • M T.heart icon on user image
    M TarryMay 20, 2017
    Unadvertised student discount - you gotta ask!
  • Emily Y.
    Emily YauOctober 3, 2013
    Nightlife (Age 21+) every Thursday night! And $12 is an excellent deal.
  • Carey P.
    Carey PundJuly 17, 2013
    Great place to check out! The rain forest is amazing!
  • Stephy Y.
    Stephy YuJanuary 9, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    Every third Wednesday of the month is free but go early because the line will get long.
  • Elisa J.
    Elisa JuárezDecember 7, 2010
    amazing ... could spend a whole other day here ... check out the cafe ... pork spring rolls are great!
  • Official smart USA
    Official smart USAApril 11, 2013
    Every Thursday from 6pm - 10pm the museum hosts an adults only theme party.
  • Peaches
    PeachesJanuary 3, 2010
    Make sure you obtain passes for the Planetarium AND the Bugs! 3-D show immediately upon arrival at the museum, otherwise you won't be able to see these attractions (which is very frustrating). Read more
  • Jenny J.heart icon on user image
    Jenny JensenJanuary 17, 2015
    Amazing place to spend a day with the kids.
  • Pepita G.heart icon on user image
    Pepita GonzalesJune 16, 2016
    The planetarium. The rainforest and the aquarium.
  • Mark C.
    Mark CAugust 29, 2011
    AMAZING!!! But seriously do not go on the 1st Wednesday of the month! The line like goes on forever!!!
  • Danny J.heart icon on user image
    Danny JuarezNovember 12, 2016
    The new planetarium is awesome!
  • Alexis M.heart icon on user image
    Alexis McGeeDecember 13, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    Awesome place to visit whether you're flying solo or have companions!
  • Kitty W.
    Kitty WilkinJanuary 22, 2012
    $30 per adult admission. For three travelers with a 2yr old, that's a bit too steep for us. Start saving up $ now!
  • Greg D.heart icon on user image
    Greg DungcaJanuary 20, 2016
    Check out the planetarium and the earthquake simulator.
  • Katie S.
    Katie StamosNovember 24, 2014
    Be sure to check out the Steinhart Aquarium!
  • Lizzie B.heart icon on user image
    Lizzie BordenJuly 26, 2018
    Beautiful place to see aquatic life
  • Tantek Ç.heart icon on user image
    Tantek ÇelikJuly 21, 2009
    Been here 25+ times
    find the vertical circular window on the aquarium, stand in the middle of it with your arms and legs stretched out in a SKA dancing pose, and have a friend take your photograph.
  • Shane M.heart icon on user image
    Shane McKenzieJanuary 25, 2019
    Fantastic absorbing experience
  • Jade R.
    Jade RolandJuly 30, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Definitely check out the roof. Very cool
  • Jeff R.heart icon on user image
    Jeff Reine 🌧January 7, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    Penguin feeding time is fun for all ages!
  • Cormac R.heart icon on user image
    Cormac RiordanNovember 30, 2015
    Everything about it is gorgeous.
  • Darlene A.
    Darlene AshOctober 10, 2011
    Been here 10+ times
    For more challenging puzzles in the kids area, just ask. There's a closet full they keep hidden.
  • Rod B.
    Rod BegbieJune 6, 2009
    Entry is $25, but if you buy a $100 membership, you get entry-for-two for a year, so if you go twice in twelve months (and you can't take it all in in one day), you're even!
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