California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco: Photos, Reviews & Location

Natural history museum with an aquarium, planetarium & scientists conducting a variety of research.

At a glance

#76 of 134 Tourist attractions in San Francisco #3 of 3 Science museums in San Francisco

LocalGuideWorld score: 4.60

4.4 km from the center of San Francisco

Rating breakdown

5 ★74%
4 ★16%
3 ★4%
2 ★2%
1 ★4%

55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118

calacademy.org

(415) 379-8000

Photos of California Academy of Sciences (104)

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California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco – photo 1

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California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco – photo 5

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California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco – photo 12

Quick facts

What is the rating of California Academy of Sciences?: California Academy of Sciences is rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 5,066 reviews.
How does California Academy of Sciences rank in San Francisco?: California Academy of Sciences is #76 of 134 Tourist attractions in San Francisco by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
Where is California Academy of Sciences located?: 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118 — 4.4 km from the center of San Francisco.
How can I contact California Academy of Sciences?: Phone: (415) 379-8000 · Website: calacademy.org

Reviews (8)

Charleen Firlus 2024 Apr 23

It's cool, fun, and modern science center.

They host events where younger audiences can come into one of their open spaces for a music and dance scene, so there are times on the weekend where they stay open late. Highly recommend going with friends!

You can see multiple exhibits for one single ticket in aquatics, forestry and greens, culture and history, and even an earthquake simulator (you do have to wait in line for this). There are places to sit down and eat, interact with the space, and walk around at your leisure. The gift shop is right next to the entrance.

Daniel R 2024 Apr 16

The California Academy of Sciences is a great place to visit for locals and tourists. It is located in the Golden Gate Park.
It is big and there are lots of things to see. Great for children and adults.
I loved the mix of the different exhibitions. On Thursdays, there was a special event about mushrooms, and some vendors where there to explain and sell things make with them.
The presentation in the Exploratorium was amazing!

Rhino Home Care 2024 Apr 12

It’s an interactive museum. Great place for all ages who love to learn. They had a few student playing wonderful music at the time of my visit. They have a lot of indoor and outdoor seating. Price is reasonably priced, they have pizza, soup, salads, macaroni and cheese.

I would also suggest taking a walk outside the museum as they have a wonderful section to spend time outside.

Stephanie Muniz 2024 Apr 06

The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco is a must-visit attraction! This world-class museum offers a fantastic blend of science, nature, and education. The highlight is the mesmerizing indoor rainforest exhibit, complete with butterflies and tropical plants. The aquarium section is equally impressive, showcasing colorful marine life and even a mesmerizing coral reef. Don't miss the planetarium shows or the rooftop garden with stunning views of Golden Gate Park.

The exhibits are well-curated and engaging for visitors of all ages. The academy also focuses on sustainability and conservation, making it not only entertaining but also educational and thought-provoking. Plan to spend several hours exploring everything this incredible museum has to offer. Tickets can be booked online to skip the lines. Highly recommended for families, science enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the natural world!

Glen I 2024 Apr 02

It's the first time I have been here in years. I took my boys and they really enjoyed it. My older son enjoyed the planetarium and the little one enjoyed the dinosaur bones and the aquarium. I loved seeing Claude the albino alligator, it brought me back to my childhood.

Maria Madrigal 2024 Mar 28

I brought visiting friends here with their children and boy, the very looks on their faces was joy, fascination and wonder. Completely worth it! I love that you can bring your own food for the kids. It can get busy and lines can get long, but nothing more than 10 to 20 minute waits for some exhibitions within the museum. Try to sign up for things in advance. As a local, I go during the week and usually go early in the morning.

Casey Swain 2024 Feb 25

Great place to explore and for kids to learn. there were pull out drawers for interesting facts, an aquarium, outdoor roof, and so much more. I really liked the albino alligator! We went in February on a holiday weekend. It wasn't too bad but we still had to wait in line to buy tickets and some activities in the academy were full and we could not access it. I would highly recommend buying tickets in advance and going earlier in the day. We went the last couple hours of the day so mind when you go during the day. We went at 2 PM and had to wait in line to buy tickets into the academy. It was 50 dollars per adult and it was cheaper for kids. Then you also had to pay for parking so it felt like a money pit. But I would do it again with my kiddos, I would open more budget wise when going. I didn't put too many pictures because being there is better than looking at the pictures.

Ivan Martinez 2024 Feb 07

A great place to explore biodiversity. The aquarium has a unique collection and its underwater displays are amazing. The butterfly dome is filled with interesting species as well. The habitat is humid and well maintained. Watching the white Alligator move is a must. Overall the building is well organized and filled with interesting fun facts.