Aquariums

California Academy of Sciences

Name: California Academy of Sciences
Address: 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, San Francisco, CA, US
Telephone: (415) 379-8000
Rating: 4.6

★★★★☆ 4.6 (5931 reviews)

📍 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118

📞 (415) 379-8000

🌐 www.calacademy.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	9:30 AM–5 PM
Tuesday	9:30 AM–5 PM
Wednesday	9:30 AM–5 PM
Thursday	9:30 AM–5 PM
Friday	9:30 AM–5 PM
Saturday	9:30 AM–5 PM
Sunday	11 AM–5 PM

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About California Academy of Sciences

Museum with science exhibits & research. Natural history museum with an aquarium, planetarium & scientists conducting a variety of research. The California Academy of Sciences features a 75-foot dome Morrison Planetarium that runs scheduled shows under one of the largest natural history museum roofs in the world. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,931 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Science Center
Best For: All Ages
Exhibits: Steinhart Aquarium, Osher Rainforest, Morrison Planetarium, Kimball Natural History Museum, Tiny Chef exhibit, Vivid: Immerse Your Senses exhibit
Admission: General admission tickets available; memberships start at $99

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The California Academy of Sciences features a 75-foot dome Morrison Planetarium that runs scheduled shows under one of the largest natural history museum roofs in the world
⭐The museum operates member-exclusive early access hours (8:30-9:30 a.m. and 10-11 a.m.) allowing members to explore exhibits before general admission opens
⭐The Steinhart Aquarium includes a live coral reef habitat with scheduled diver feedings visible to visitors, integrating interactive marine biology education
⭐The museum hosts citizen science bioblitzes from April through June with smartphone app participation, engaging visitors directly in active scientific research
⭐The academy offers NightLife 21+ events every Thursday evening (6-10 p.m.), targeting adult audiences with a unique after-hours museum experience

💬 What Visitors Say

💬Plan for 6-8 hours to fully explore all exhibits. Start early and arrive by opening time to secure good parking near the entrance, especially on weekends.
💡Don't miss the penguin feeding at 10:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m., and book planetarium show reservations in advance as they fill up quickly.
💬Buy admission tickets online before your visit—they're significantly cheaper than purchasing at the gate.
🕐Visit during member-exclusive early hours (8:30-9:30 a.m. or 10-11 a.m.) if you have a membership to experience exhibits with minimal crowds and enjoy the rainforest and aquarium more comfortably.
💡Use the smartphone app to participate in bioblitzes (April-June) and check the website for special themed events like summer dinosaur displays in the garden that enhance the experience.