Skip to main content

California Academy of Science

Location

San Francisco

United States

37° 46' 12.36" N, 122° 27' 59.0652" W

See map: Google Maps

US

General info:

The California Academy of Sciences is one of the largest museums of natural history in the world.

This huge complex delivers the wonders of the world in one package. Here you can see the stars in the planetarium though real time data provided by NASA, experience a tropical paradise under the rainforest dome or watch as a diver plunge into the world’s deepest coral reef exhibit. The academy is full of cool things to explore and it is likely the day will run out before things to see.

The academy is also one of the most innovative and most eco-friendly museums in the world. With its energy-generating solar panels, 2 ½ acre Living Roof, radiant sub-floor heating and wall insulation made from recycled jeans it does push the envelope of sustainable architecture.

Getting there:

The museum is located in the Golden Gate Park.
Inside Golden Gate Park there is a free shuttle bus that circulates the area with about 15min frequency.

To get to the park by Muni:
The #44-O'Shaughnessy bus stops across from the Academy at the Music Concourse on Tea Garden Drive (southbound) and in front of the Academy on Music Concourse Drive (northbound).
The #5-Fulton stops at 8th Avenue and Fulton Street
The N-Judah Muni Metro streetcar stops at 9th Avenue& Irving Street.

Costs:

Entrance fees:
Adult $34.95
Senior (ages 65 and over) $29.95
Student $29.95
Youth (ages 12-17) $29.95
Child (ages 4-11) $24.95

Hours:
Daily: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

You might be interested in

The Louvre

By many criteria, The Louvre is the world’s number 1 museum. It is the biggest museum on the planet with almost 30,000 items exhibited over an area of 60,000 square meters. It is also the most visited museum.

Centre Georges Pompidou

In the 70s, former French President Georges Pompidou wanted an ultracontemporary artistic hub – Pompidou Center is the result.

Musee d'Orsay

The Musee d'Orsay houses Western Art items from the period between 1848 and 1915. The earlier works are exhibited in the Louvre, while the Centre Georges Pompidou is specialized in the modern art.

Vatican Museums

Vatican Museums are a part of Pope’s official residence, the Papal Palace. With more than 1,400 rooms, the Vatican Museums are one of the most important cultural institutions in the world.

Museu Picasso

One of the greatest artists in the history, the man who invented cubism, Pablo Picasso, lived and worked for several years, in Barcelona.

Salvador Dali Museum

The Dali Theatre and Museum is located in the town Figueres, a bit further from Barcelona, but nevertheless worth of visit.

Interesting places nearby

Ski China Peak

Sierra Summit Mountain Resort is 65 miles northeast of Fresno and has 1,200 skiable acres. The resort boastd a vertical of around 1,600 feet and have nine lifts servicing the area.

Sierra-at-Tahoe

Since its inception in 1946, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort has grown into its role as one of Lake Tahoe's largest resort areas. Sierra-at-Tahoe features 14 chairlifts that access 2000 acres of skiable terrain and 2,212 feet of vertical.

Northstar California

Northstar California offers an excellent family experience. The area boasts a vertical drop of 2,280 feet, its longest run is a thigh-taxing 1.3 miles long.

Mt. Rose - Ski Tahoe

Mount Rose is Lake Tahoe's closest serious skiing and riding to Reno and the Reno-Tahoe Airport. It's 25 minutes from Reno and 10 minutes from the North Shore, and daily ski shuttle service is available from many Reno properties.

Mt. Baldy

The Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts, located in Southern California’s San Bernardino County, is the closest ski and snowboard area to Los Angeles, just 45 miles from the city. Mt.

Mt. Bachelor

Mt. Bachelor, located just minutes from Bend, Sunriver and Sisters, OR, is one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest ski areas. Mt. Bachelor has nearly 3,700 acres of skiable terrains, with every type of terrain available. Mt.