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California Academy of Sciences Tickets San Francisco, CA

55 Music Concourse Drive • San Francisco, CA 94118
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Three people observe a large fish and other aquatic life through the glass of an aquarium exhibit.
A young girl reaches toward a large black bird sculpture mounted on a green stand in front of a cross-section of a tree trunk in an exhibit.
A young boy sits on an adult's shoulders, both looking up and smiling amid lush green plants and flowers in a garden.
A man in an orange lab coat demonstrates a scientific procedure with preserved specimens in jars to a small group of people.
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About California Academy of Sciences

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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Promotional Images (35)
A group of people, including children, stand in front of a large aquarium tank, observing various fish swimming inside. Two people stand at a table with drinks in hand, smiling and interacting with a person in an orange jacket, in a dimly lit indoor setting. A DJ stands behind a colorful booth with audio equipment, performing at night next to a neon "nightlife" sign and multicolored lights. A modern building with a living green roof is surrounded by trees and gardens, with a hill and city buildings in the background under a blue sky. A group of people dance and socialize indoors at night, illuminated by colorful lights, with large windows and art displays in the background.
Customer Photos (1)
California Academy of Sciences photo submitted by Aarohi Savani

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.

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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California Academy of Sciences Reviews

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jonathanpH61WW
"Science Meets Sustainability at the Heart of Golden Gate Park"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed July 23, 2025
The California Academy of Sciences is a rare blend of education, innovation, and environmental stewardship—all housed under one living roof in Golden Gate Park. With its seamless integration of a natural history museum, aquarium, rainforest dome, and planetarium, it offers a full-day experience that’s both immersive and inspiring. Visitors can explore ecosystems from the Amazon to the Philippine coral reef, meet Claude the albino alligator, and journey through the cosmos in the Morrison Planetarium—all while supporting active scientific research and sustainability efforts. Whether you’re traveling solo, with kids, or in a multigenerational group, the Academy delivers hands-on learning and visual wonder in every corner.
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907blaked
Tampa, Florida
"Enjoyable to visit, even for older teens and adults"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed June 07, 2025
We enjoyed spending a couple of hours here. We did not see every single exhibit, but we hit the highlights. The four-story rainforest with butterflies was really great. We also enjoyed the Filipino coral reef, the albino alligator, and the earthquake simulation room. We had lunch at the café, and although it was overpriced, it is what you would expect for a museum café, and the food was good. We had a great time, even the older teens and adult adults.
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Travel25346533585
"A San Francisco Must Do"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed June 01, 2025
The California Academy of Sciences is a place of Incredible Displays and Exhibits. We would absolutely recommend it to Visitors and Locals alike.
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Carlsjunior
"Penguins & Pajamas- Don’t pick the Lower Swamp!"
TripAdvisor user rating 2.0 out of 5
Reviewed March 29, 2025
This is in regards to the Penguins and Pajamas sleepover— there isn’t much info on the sleeping areas and I wanted to post out to pick any other spot but the Lower Swamp. We didn’t have the aquarium as an option, so we thought the Lower Swamp would be a close second. NOPE! It is the warmest area to sleep, and the spot where they keep bright spotlights on you until 11:30pm- the last area to turn off the lights. I think any other spot would be cooler and darker. And Claude’s tank is dark so you can’t see anything in there anyway. Posting here since I couldn’t find any reviews on the locations, saving someone else the late night spotlights!
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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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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.

What is included in the NightLife Plus ticket?

Each NightLife Plus ticket includes full access to the evening’s museum-wide event, along with exclusive upgrades: - Two complimentary cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres - Admission to a Morrison Planetarium show (planetarium reservations are assigned upon arrival)Access to a private bar and lounge inside the Gems and Minerals Unearthed exhibit - Priority entry to the Osher Rainforest and The Shake House - Exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Academy’s research collections10% discount at the Academy Café and retail stores

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