California Academy of Sciences - San Francisco, California

Robert T.

I convinced myself to finally visit the California Academy of Sciences after a very long time of not having been there since 1995. I had to see what improvements and changes were made there since then. It was so great to see the African Hall exhibit once again. That place brought back so many childhood memories for me. I loved seeing the lions and zebra displays again. It was also great to see the Pendulum exhibit once again. It was my first time seeing the Albino Alligator and the other exhibits that I had never seen before, such as the Hidden Wonders. I purchased a T-Rex and Brachiosaurs toys at the Swamp Shop. I plan to visit this museum soon so I can see more of the exhibits.

Michelle L.

It’s like a mix between a museum and a zoo, which makes it more fun to visit! Really liked the guide explanations for Claude. You can definitely see all the main exhibits within a few hours, so don’t be afraid of going near the end of the day.

We also went to the planetarium. It’s such great value that it’s included in the price! The chairs are a bit too comfy though 😂

A R.

The California Academy of Sciences is an amazing place to visit, offering a little bit of everything—an impressive planetarium (included in the ticket price, but first come, first served), a rainforest exhibit, an aquarium, and a natural history museum. It's easy to spend several hours here, especially if you want to catch a planetarium show. While it's a great spot for families, it's definitely not just for kids—my husband and I had a fantastic time exploring all the exhibits. There’s also a cafeteria with several food options. The parking was a bit of a challenge to find on the street. If you park in the nearby garage, though, it's an easy walk to the entrance.

Jozze F.

We visited the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park on December 29, and it was such a cool experience, especially for families with kids! The place was busy, but it was well worth it. This attraction was included in our CityPASS, so it was an easy choice, and we had a blast exploring everything it had to offer.

One of the highlights was the earthquake simulator—it’s a fun and educational way to experience what an earthquake feels like! There’s also an albino crocodile (or maybe an alligator, I’m not sure), which was amazing to see up close. The academy also has a planetarium, but quick tip: be sure to make reservations for the planetarium shows—they fill up fast!

The aquarium was another big hit, with beautiful marine life on display. They also offer animal shows, which are perfect for kids and keep them engaged and entertained. We were told by a local a few days later while walking around Pier 39 that the Academy hosts special activities on Thursday nights, so that’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning another visit.

There’s also a small cafeteria, so you can grab a bite to eat while you’re there. All in all, the California Academy of Sciences is a fantastic spot for families to spend the day. Highly recommend it!

Christina N.

Great place for the entire family. My kids loved everything from the fossils to the fish and butterflies. A great learning experience. I recommend the membership if you plan to visit multiple times a year. One thing I wasn't so fond of was the food. It's not the best and overpriced.

Kaitlyn K.

Excellent science museum, aquarium and zoo rolled into one. The biggest fault is that is expensive with no reciprocity. Otherwise, it has excellent exhibits for kids and the after hour events are really fun. I would definitely take the time to listen to the docent talks and activities as they really bring the science to life for the kids. Things like feeling ballen (whale teeth), touching feathers, explanations about how/why things work. Also if you have small kids make sure to take time to go to the indoor and outdoor playgrounds which are both excellent.

Viera V.

Very lovely place. Exhibits are well done and very interesting. I enjoyed seeing swimming penguins 🐧 rain forest with butterflies 🦋 multitudes of aquariums on the lower level, experiencing SF earthquake, interesting movies in the planetarium 🪐 If you are wondering what age group, I would say anyone between 2-102 will have lots of fun here. The ticket is around $55/pp. We came on a very busy day: Saturday after Christmas so there were lines but moved quickly and we got to see everything. Parking was hard to find so if you have the luxury of time, pick some non-busy random weekday. The only other solution to deal with lines on busy days is to extend the opening hours= for Academy to stay open until 10-11pm

Gabriela D. M.

I got 4 tickets with Museums for all and had an amazing experience with my family. It was easy to get our tickets in the booth and explore in the museum. We park for free close by and did a short walk. Its an incredible place for all ages. The planetarium is exciting and beautiful to be. Fun activities for toddlers and adults alike.