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California Academy of Sciences
Rainforest
— Butterflies & Hummingbirds
— Borneo, Costa Rica & Madagascar

View from the inside of the Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Rainforests of the World
— Magical Setting
The magnificent three-story glass-domed Rainforest is one of the Academy's highlights. It's our favorite area of the museum — Costa Rica (the top level) is truly magical.

Green Gecko of Madagascar in the Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Follow the dome's spiraling 28-ft. walkway up through three separate Rainforest galleries —

Level 1 - Borneo
Level 2 - Madagascar
Level 3 - Costa Rica

Get an up-close view of animals and plants from the rainforests of Borneo, Costa Rica and Madagascar — each providing a unique setting.

Inside the Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Peer over railing to see fish swimming below and down into Amazon-Flooded Forest - Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Scenic Rainforest Views
Visitors can peer over the railings and look down through the center of the Rainforest to see free-flying birds and butterflies and fish swimming below them.

What's even more amazing is the view of the Amazon-flooded Forest — located three levels below. Watch people under the 25-ft long acrylic tunnel as they gaze up at the fish swimming overhead (see photo below). It's quite stunning!

View of people looking up at the fish from the Tunnel in the Amazon Forest - Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Get up close views and take pics in the Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

The Rainforest's spiral walkway has little cut-out areas where visitors can stop along the way to check out the scenic views and watch the birds and butterflies — and take pictures.

Kids enjoying the views of theRainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Underwater Amazon Forest
— Amazon Aquarium
A glass elevator (at the top of the Rainforest's spiraling pathway, in the Costa Rica gallery) descends to a floor beneath the three-story Rainforest where you'll find an underwater Amazon Forest, filled with anacondas, giant catfish, piranhas, electric eels... and more.

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Blue Morpho Butterfly on Barry's shoulder in the Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Butterflies & Hummingbirds
The Rainforest is filled with more than 40 species of birds (including cute little hummingbirds, antbirds, scarlet macaws) and beautiful multi-colored butterflies.

Scarlet Macaw at Rainforest - California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, SF, CA

Multi-colored Butterflies in the Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Costa Rica (the top level of the Rainforest), provides the best up-close views of the butterflies.

Butterfly in the Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Hummingbird in the Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Blue Morpho Butterfly
One of the most beautiful butterflies in the Rainforest is the Blue Morpho. During a recent visit, a giant aqua-Blue Morpho butterfly landed on Barry's shoulder (see photos below) and hung out there for a few minutes, much to the delight of all the kids around him.

Beautiful Blue Morpho Butterfly on Barry's shoulder - Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Giant Butterfly in the Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Poison Dart Frogs
— Costa Rica
Travel through Costa Rica Rainforest and see Green Lizards, Treefrogs, Snakes... and tiny green and black Dart Frogs (pictured below) — they might look cute and harmless, but they're actually poisonous.

Poison Dart Frogs from Costa Rica - Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Geckos of Madagascar

Close up pic of Green Gecko of Madagascar - Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Bats in Borneo
While visiting the Borneo gallery (located at the Rainforest entrance), peer through the glass-enclosed darkened caves to see sleeping bats, bat-eating snakes and scorpions.

Wear Layers
Temperatures inside the Rainforest are held at a steady 82-85 degrees, and a special misting system keeps the humidity at 75% or more. Wear layers because it can be warm and humid.

NOTE: The Rainforest is very popular, so be prepared to wait in line, especially during peak times, weekends, holidays and during Summer months.

No food, drink or flash photography allowed.

General Admission
Admission includes access to all Museum and Aquarium Exhibits, the Rainforest, the Living Roof, Planetarium Shows and daily regularly scheduled events.

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