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- Aquarium
- African Hall
- Living Roof
- Penguins
- Planetarium
- Rainforest
- Restaurants
- The Swamp

Golden Gate Park

Buffalo Paddock

Conservatory of Flowers

S.F. Bay Area
San Francisco Attractions
California Academy of Sciences
Golden Gate Park
— Opened September 27, 2008

Aeria View of the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

55 Music Concourse Drive
Golden Gate Park

California Academy of Sciences
— a "Green" Museum
- Aquarium / Amazon Forest
- African Hall / Penguins
- Living Roof / Observation Terrace
- Planetarium
- Rainforest / Birds & Butterflies
- Restaurants - Piazza, Cafe, Moss Room
- The Swamp / White Alligator
- Nightlife at the Academy
(Experience the museum at night
Febrary 12-October 29, 2009)

WOW! What an amazing musuem — the pictures just don't do it justice. It's the most open museum we've ever visited. Looking up at the domed ceiling and circular skylights gave us the feeling of being inside a giant spaceship (see pictures below).

Living Roof at the Academy of Science in Golden Gate Park

Glass Domed Skylights at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Golden Gate Park's NEW innovatively designed California Academy of Sciences re-opened on September 27, 2008 — after a three-year renovation. It is one of San Francisco's most spectacular — and "greenest" buildings.

One-of-a-Kind
The Academy is the only place in the world that houses one of the world’s largest Planetariums, an Aquarium and Coral Reef, a Natural History Museum, and a glass-domed Rainforest — all under the same roof.

The long multi-story rectangular structure features a central open Piazza with two enormous glass domes on either side (one houses a Rainforest, the other a Planetarium), and 2.5-acres of "green" space on the Living Roof that sits atop the structure.

The Academy's open, airy galleries are filled with light and life — it's quite spectacular!

California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Solar panels at The Academy of Science in Golden Gate Park, SF, CA

There's a lot to see here, so pace yourself — plan on spending the whole day if you want to see everything.

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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The newly designed Academy is quite a departure from the original museum. However, The Swamp returns as one of the Academy's most popular exhibits. Ditto African Hall — another favorite venue from the original museum. One thing that didn't return to this Academy was the famous "two-headed snake" from years ago — do you San Francisco Natives remember it?

Academy Piazza
You can't miss the huge open Piazza — it dominates the space located just inside the Academy's main entrance. This is a fun place to stop and rest your weary feet, grab a drink and a snack — great people-watching too!

Academy Restaurants
Over 1.7 million plants on the Academy's new Living Roof provide ingredients for its two restaurants — The Moss Room and Academy Café. Both eateries feature famed chefs Charles Phan (Slanted Door) and Loretta Keller (Coco500).

Host Special Events
415-379-5497
Host a VIP Reception, Corporate Event or Private Party at the California Academy of Sciences — a unique venue sure to make any event a memorable one.

The Academy of Science in Golden Gate Park - Islands of Evolution

Earth's Evolution
— "Islands of Evolution"
Academy exhibits include "Islands of Evolution" — Earth's history and its future.

Foucault Pendulum - Academy of Science - Golden Gate Park in San Francisco

Foucault Pendulum
The Foucault Pendulum is named after the French physicist, Léon Foucault. The swinging sphere proves that the Earth rotates. The force of gravity keeps the ball swinging back and forth. As the Earth rotates the pins come into contact with the constant arc of the bob and are knocked over.

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The Academy of Science in Golden Gate Park, SF

Academy Hours
Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm
Sun 11am-5pm

Closed Thanksgiving
and Christmas Day

Free Wednesdays
Enjoy - Free General Admission to the Academy on the third Wednesday of every month.

Aerial View of California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

Academy of Science in Golden Gate Park Entrance

Nightlife at the Academy
Feb 12-Oct 29, 2009
Thursday 6-10pm
Every Thursday, after the Academy closes, the museum will feature "Nightlife" — a weekly evening event blending cutting-edge science, music, cocktails and food in a unique museum setting. Visitors will get a chance to mingle, explore the museum at night and interact with scientists and other experts.

Activities will vary week-to-week, and will include stargazing, science cafes, informal talks by scientists, opportunities to meet aquarium animals... and more!

Food & cocktails available for purchase.

$10 per person ($8 for Academy members). Adults 18 and over.

More Info
California Academy of Sciences

CultureBus
Explore SF Arts & Culture
CultureBus provides residents and visitors with a new eco-friendly transportation alternative to and between San Francisco's popular Museums and Cultural attractions.

A CultureBus ticket is good for unlimited travel between the Asian Art Museum, the California Academy of Sciences, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

The yellow Culture Bus runs daily,
8:40am-5:50pm.
No service on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year's Day.

SF CultureBus

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Rainforests of the World
— Magical Setting
The magnificent Rainforest is one of the Academy's highlights — it's our favorite area of the musuem.

Get an up-close view of animals and plants from the rainforests of Borneo, Costa Rica and Madagascar — the Rainforest is filled with more than 40 species of free-flying birds and beautiful multi-colored butterflies.

You may want to start your museum visit here — it's very popular. Expect to wait in line during peak times.

More Info and Pictures of the Rainforest, Animals, Birds and Butterflies

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Aquarium / Coral Reef / Amazon-Flooded Forest
The Aquarium is located below ground level — one level down from the Academy's main floor.

Visit the amazing underwater Amazon-flooded Forest and walk under the "Tunnel of Fish," check out the beautiful Coral Reef (the biggest in the nation and the deepest in the world) and Water Planet — see thousands of exotic fish, small sharks, a giant octopus, jellyfish, anacondas, giant catfish, piranhas, electric eels, spotted stingrays ... and more!

More Info and Pictures of the Aquarium, Coral Reef, Amazon-Flooded Forest and "Tunnel of Fish"

The Living Roof and
Open-Air Observation Terrace
This unique 2.5-acre "green" Living Roof and Open-Air Observation Terrace is located on the Academy's top level. The rooftop provides a habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including birds and butterflies — and serves as an exhibit on environmental sustainability and biodiversity.

More Info and Pictures of the Living Roof and Open-Air Observation Terrace

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The Swamp
— Rare White Alligator
See a beautiful rare White Alligator and a variety of swamp creatures at the Academy's Swamp, located on the lower level.

Morrison Planetarium
Get a unique wrap-around visual experience of outer space inside the Morrison Planetarium — one of the world's largest planetariums.

Natural History Museum
— African Hall
— Naturalist Center
— Special Exhibitions
The Natural History Museum includes the African Hall (don't miss the Penguins), Special Changing Exhibitions, and the Naturalist Center on Level 3. Enjoy fantastic Academy views from the third floor walkway looking down at the Piazza, Planetarium and Coral Reef.

Tusher African Center
(African Hall)
African Hall, a favorite venue from the original museum, features recreations of animals in their natural settings — 21 African dioramas showcase zebras, gorillas, lions, and leopards.