4.6 (11,501 Reviews)

California Academy of Sciences Tickets San Francisco, CA

55 Music Concourse Drive • San Francisco, CA 94118
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Steinhart Aquarium is full of many different species!
Animatronic T-Rex on display in the garden for Dino Days. (Opening March 2025)
Visitor interacting with condor model in California: State of Nature exhibit.
Father and son gazing at plants in the Osher Rainforest.
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Overview

Explore four incredible worlds under one roof! Visit San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences—home to an aquarium, rainforest, planetarium, and natural history museum. Encounter 60,000+ animals, towering dinosaurs, and ocean wonders powered by cutting-edge science.

up to 4 hrs 1 or more people

Good To Know

  • Walk through a tropical rainforest dome with free-flying birds and butterflies.
  • See 2,000+ colorful fish in the Philippine Coral Reef exhibit.
  • Stroll a 2.5-acre Living Roof with native plants and Golden Gate Park views.
  • Admission includes aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, museum, and Living Roof.
  • Planetarium shows require same-day reservation—first-come, first-served.
  • Wheelchair accessible; free loaner wheelchairs available.
  • Onsite dining at the Academy Café and Terrace Restaurant.
  • Located in Golden Gate Park near public transit and paid parking.
  • Same-day re-entry is allowed with hand stamp.
  • Free admission for children 2 and under.
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Description

Step into one of San Francisco's most iconic indoor attractions at the California Academy of Sciences, where a living rainforest, aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum are all housed under one sustainable roof in Golden Gate Park.

Your ticket grants full access to the Steinhart Aquarium, home to over 60,000 live animals representing ecosystems from the California coast to the coral reefs of the Philippines. Across the building, the Morrison Planetarium offers a breathtaking journey through space with one of the largest all-digital domes in the world. In the Osher Rainforest, explore a soaring four-story biodome filled with tropical birds, butterflies, and lush vegetation, then descend into a flooded Amazonian exhibit teeming with freshwater life.

On the museum side, science and natural history come to life through exhibits like a towering Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, an earthquake simulator, and displays on Earth's evolution. The living roof—blanketed with native plants—serves as a model of ecological architecture and a popular photo spot.

For a limited time, visitors can enjoy two immersive exhibits: Dino Days, featuring 13 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs in the Academy's outdoor gardens, and Unseen Oceans, an interactive deep-sea experience showcasing glowing creatures, ocean tech, and cutting-edge marine science. Both run through September 1, 2025.

Whether you're traveling with family or exploring San Francisco solo, the Academy delivers a full day of education, adventure, and discovery—all included with general admission.

Note: Last entry is one hour before closing. Holiday hours are subject to change.
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Promotional Images (40)
Docent sharing specimens within the Academy collection with guests. California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California A couple holding their cocktail drinks is with an Academy staff explaining about the artifacts found at California Academy of Sciences. The DJ at Nightlife - California Academy of Sciences cheerfully plays the beat to hype the crowd. California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California
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California Academy of Sciences photo submitted by Aarohi Savani
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California Academy of Sciences Reviews

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Angelgirl4life16
Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
"Great!"
TripAdvisor user rating 3.0 out of 5
Reviewed October 31, 2024
It was nice. I recommend this to families. When we went there were a lot of school field trips going on so it was crowded. We went on a weekday pretty early in the morning, so you should definitely come early before it gets even more crowded. they had a lot of cool stuff like an earthquake simulator, a planetarium, and more. We thought we would spend more time there but we looked through everything pretty fast and only stayed for about and hour and a half.
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dustythoughts
Manchester, Connecticut
"Stuffed with wonderful living exhibits"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed October 14, 2024
I've been to San Francisco several times, and am disappointed that this was my first time visiting this stupendous living museum, as it was a glorious experience. The entrance fee is a bit steep ($43/person for adults), but it's absolutely well worth the price. This place is truly a living museum - it has a fascinating rainforest exhibit with living birds and butterflies, an aquarium with live animals, and a super-cool natural history museum (we loved the African Hall). The planetarium was also fantastic, although please note that you need to make a reservation for one of the shows. We enjoyed just wandering through the museum to take in the exhibits at our own pace.
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GrandTour34398601256
"I liked the earthquake machine the best"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed August 17, 2024
Expensive. At $40 it is really costly for a family. There is lots to see and I understand the price because what they have takes a lot of upkeep. While the building is handicap accessible, the rain forest is not. Unfortunately, you cannot start at the top and work your way down.
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maxpaste
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
"So much to see"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed August 12, 2024
We loved this museum. The planetarium show was great (you reserve a spot for free once you arrive by using a QR code), the rainforest and aquarium were wonderful, and be sure to check out the collections, which displays all sorts of things they’ve collected over the years.
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V3768WPcharlieg
Miami, Florida
"Great multi experience facility for families."
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed July 15, 2024
There's a lot to do here even though you can be done real fast. It's true what they advertise; you get to experience different biomes and environments and learn about different things. SOme underwhelm (the earthquake experience), and some are really neat (the aquarium).
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jaimielaura
"Penguin & Pajama Event-don’t bother!"
TripAdvisor user rating 2.0 out of 5
Reviewed April 21, 2024
Don’t bother with the penguin and pajama event. You pay $132 for the overnight. It includes sleeping on a dirty floor, skeleton crew, either paying full price for dinner inside or eating a bag dinner outside, 2 hours in the evening to really see the museum before you are funneled to your dirty floor to sleep on, dirty (not cleaned from a full day of use) bathrooms, then sleep with lights on, then woken up at 6 AM for a horrible breakfast that is included, then shuttled out by 8 AM. My point is, just pay $32 for the regular ticket and enjoy it during the day. The overnight is gross and a hassle.
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California Academy of Sciences is located at 55 Music Concourse Drive • San Francisco, CA 94118
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Frequently Asked Questions about California Academy of Sciences

Are the exhibits fully accessible?

Yes, the California Academy of Sciences is fully wheelchair accessible, with free manual wheelchairs available at Coat Check (photo ID required). Exhibits feature detection points and tactile elements for the visually impaired, auditory signals in elevators, and transcripts for Planetarium shows. Assistive listening devices are provided in select areas, and interpreters for deaf or hard-of-hearing visitors receive free admission.

Where do I park for California Academy of Sciences?

You can access the Music Concourse parking garage via the Fulton St./10th Ave. entrance or the Music Concourse Dr./MLK Dr. entrance. Free street parking is also available on MLK Dr., Nancy Pelosi Dr., and Stow Lake Dr.

How long should I plan to spend at California Academy of Sciences?

There is no time limit, but most visitors spend about 3 hours exploring the Academy.

Do you need reservations for California Academy of Science?

Visitors are encouraged to book their tickets ahead of time, but it is not required. Please note that tickets purchased prior to your visit date will be less expensive than tickets purchased on the day of your visit.

Can I re-enter after leaving the building?

Re-entry is allowed; visitors must obtain a hand stamp or show their ticket at the entrance.

What dining options are available at California Academy of Sciences?

The Academy Café serves a variety of family-friendly food and beverage options, as well as Andytown Coffee drinks. Guests are welcome to dine in the Café or in any of their outdoor spaces. The Terrace Restaurant serves seasonal dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients, plus beer and wine.

Can you bring food into California Academy of Sciences?

Guests are welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Please head to the East Garden to consume items brought from home.

Are lockers available?

Yes, lockers are located just off the main lobby and are available for rent for $5 per day for standard-size lockers and $8 per day for family-size lockers. Lockers are checked frequently and cleaned and disinfected daily. Payment for lockers is by credit card only.

Are there bike racks at the museum?

Bike racks are available outside the museum for visitors who choose to cycle to the venue.

Can I bring a stroller into the museum?

Yes, strollers are allowed throughout the museum and exhibits.

What is NightLife, and who can attend?

NightLife is a 21+ event held every Thursday evening from 6–10 PM. It combines music, cocktails, and after-hours museum access for a unique experience.

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