California Academy of Science

Location

San Francisco
United States
37° 46' 12.36" N, 122° 27' 59.0652" W
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

Interesting places nearby

Mountain High is Southern California’s closest ski and snowboard resort, located just over an hour from Los Angeles in Wrightwood. Mountain High is actually split into three different resorts: West Resort, East Resort and North Resort.

The Mount Shasta Board and Ski Park is located about 6 miles south of California’s 14,162’ stratovolcano Mount Shasta, in the Cascade Mountain Range of North America’s Pacific Northwest.

Mt. Ashland, just north of the California border, is halfway between San Francisco and Portland, eight 8 miles off Interstate 5.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area boasts the highest elevation, 11,053’, for skiing and snowboarding in the state of California.

Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort offers skiers and riders an excellent mountain experience just 50 miles from the Strip. Many have found it fun to ski and ride during the day and return to the glitz and glamour for night life.

Kirkwood Mountain may be the hidden gem of the entire Lake Tahoe region in Northern California. Kirkwood prides itself on its big mountain skiing and snowboarding but with small town attitude.