California Academy of Sciences

What's On

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Timescapes

New planetarium show travelling back to a California of mammoths and giant birds, and imagining a climate-resilient future for the Bay Area.

Now showingFrom 4 Sept$49

BigPicture: Natural World Photography 2026

Winning images from the 13th annual BigPicture competition, led by Audun Rikardsen's grand-prize photo of a polar bear at a seal's breathing hole.

Now showingFrom 10 Sept$49

Permanent Collections

Tusher African Hall

Classic dioramas of African wildlife tracing human evolutionary history, plus a colony of African penguins.

Permanent collection$49

Osher Rainforest

A living four-storey rainforest under a glass dome, with free-flying butterflies and birds above and giant Amazonian fish below.

Permanent collection$49

Philippine Coral Reef

Reef fish dart through colourful forests of coral while giant rays glide beneath visitors' feet.

Permanent collection$49

California: State of Nature

California's forests, cities, coast and deserts, with a historic grizzly specimen, Indigenous stewardship and the Shake House earthquake simulator.

Permanent collection$49

Steinhart Aquarium

Nearly 60,000 animals from 800+ species, many shown nowhere else: coral reefs, tide pools, a swamp and Claude the albino alligator.

Permanent collection$49

Morrison Planetarium

An immersive 75-foot planetarium dome. Show passes are first-come on arrival; not suitable for under-7s, and under-4s are not admitted.

Permanent collection$49

Nearby

i

de Young Museum

Design3 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) and 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 Tusher African Hall, Osher Rainforest and Philippine Coral Reef.

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.