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California Academy of Sciences

Natural HistoryScienceClosed · Opens 9:30amFrom $4944 O'Shaughnessy (Muni bus, stops outside the Academy)

Founded in 1853 and rebuilt in 2008 to a Renzo Piano design, the Academy combines the Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, a four-storey rainforest dome and the Kimball Natural History Museum in one building. Its 2.5-acre living roof is planted with native California species. Highlights include the Philippine Coral Reef, African penguins in Tusher African Hall and Claude the albino alligator.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118

Nearest station: 44 O'Shaughnessy (Muni bus, stops outside the Academy), 5 Fulton (Muni bus, Fulton St & 8th Ave), N Judah (Muni Metro, 9th Ave & Irving St)

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Hours

Closed 29 September

Closed for a private event

Mon09:30–17:00
Tue09:30–17:00
Wed09:30–17:00
Thu09:30–17:00
FriToday09:30–17:00
Sat09:30–17:00
Sun11:00–17:00

Admission

From $49

Adult 19+ $49 ($55 peak); youth 13–18 $45 ($49 peak); child 3–12 $39 ($45 peak); ages 2 and under free; EBT cardholders $5; $3 off with same-day Muni fare. Peak pricing applies in spring break, summer, holiday weekends and Nov–Dec.

Nearby

de Young Museum

Design3 min walk

GLBT Historical Society Museum

Local History35 min walk

Legion of Honor

Architecture41 min walk

The Walt Disney Family Museum

Art42 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does California Academy of Sciences cost?
Standard adult admission to California Academy of Sciences is $49. Adult 19+ $49 ($55 peak); youth 13–18 $45 ($49 peak); child 3–12 $39 ($45 peak); ages 2 and under free; EBT cardholders $5; $3 off with same-day Muni fare. Peak pricing applies in spring break, summer, holiday weekends and Nov–Dec.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of California Academy of Sciences?
California Academy of Sciences is open Mon–Sat 9:30am–5pm, Sun 11am–5pm (last entry 4pm). Open every day of the year, with special hours around Thanksgiving and Christmas. NightLife, an adults-only (21+) evening, runs most Thursdays 6–10pm with a separate $26 ticket. Closed all day for private events on 29 Sept and 21 Oct 2026. Osher Rainforest is closed 15–17 Sept and the planetarium 21–23 Sept 2026.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is California Academy of Sciences?
California Academy of Sciences is located at 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118, in the Golden Gate Park area of San Francisco. The nearest stations are 44 O'Shaughnessy (Muni bus, stops outside the Academy), 5 Fulton (Muni bus, Fulton St & 8th Ave), N Judah (Muni Metro, 9th Ave & Irving St).
What can I see at California Academy of Sciences?
Aquarium, planetarium, rainforest and natural history museum under one living roof in Golden Gate Park. Current highlights include Philippine Coral Reef, Osher Rainforest, Morrison Planetarium.
Do I need to book California Academy of Sciences in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit California Academy of Sciences?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

WolfmanSF / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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