CALIFORNIA DAY TRIPS THINGS TO DO

California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences located in Golden Gate Park should be a “must see” for those visiting San Francisco or those living the Bay Area. Major venues and exhibits at the Academy include the Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, Kimball Natural History Museum, a four-story rainforest, and a naturalist center.

The Steinhart Aquarium is home to over 900 species and 38,000 total animals. From penguins to sharks to stingrays, it is a feast for the eyes. Visitors enjoy a 200,000 gallon coral reef gallery, a 100,000 Northern California coast tank and dozens of other tanks with a variety of aquatic animals.

The Morrison Planetarium is the largest all-digital planetarium in the world. The Planetarium feature a 75-diameter projection screen and presents a show multiple times a day. The show is popular, so make sure you get your passes when you arrive to reserve your seat.

The Kimball Natural History Museum presents information about the evolution and maintenance of life on early. The displays draw from the Museum’s collection of over 20 millions specimens and over 150 years of research. Dioramas showcasing different African animals are in the museum, as well as an exhibit on the Islands of the Galapagos and Madagascar as well as an exhibit on climate change in California.

Discount Tickets California Academy of Sciences Tickets Admission includes access to all museum and aquarium exhibits, the rainforest, the living roof, and the planetarium shows. Children 3 and under free.

California Academy of Sciences San Francisco

The beautiful four-story rainforest is feast for the senses. With warm temperatures, high humidity, dripping water and interesting animals, kids of all ages will be in awe. The rainforest housed within a 90-foot diameter glass dome that is accessed through a spiraling ramp. There are free-flying birds and butterflies, as well as freshwater fish, and over 1,500 live animals. The tropical plants are equally as stunning as the animals.

The Naturalist Center is focused on providing resources to people interested in learning more about the natural work. It is open to Academy visitors and staff members are available to help you understand the various resources on site.

Aside from all the wonderful exhibits, the Academy building, itself, is worth a mention. It was a 10-year project and cost $500 million dollars. It has a platinum rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which means the building it tops for sustainability in all aspects of building construction and operation.

It is the largest platinum-certified building in the world. The building features a unique living roof, which incorporates a mosaic of native plant species; over 197,000 square feet worth. There are 1.7 million plants on the roof including a mix of perennials and annuals. Perennials include strawberry, self heal, sea pink, and stonecrop. The annual wildflower species include tidy tips, goldfield, miniature lupine, California poppy, and California plantain.

Daily programs vary, depending on when you visit. Such programs include the planetarium show, penguin feeding and penguin encounters, coral reef dives, specimen spotlights, story time, birds of prey and nature crafts
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With so much to see, a visit to the Academy can be overwhelming. We recommend getting on their website ahead of time and deciding what exhibits you want to see and come up with a plan.

California Academy of Sciences Rain Forest

California Academy of Sciences Aquarium

The Academy is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Academy is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tickets may be purchased online or at the venue. The general admission ticket gets you into the various exhibits described above. For an additional cost you can enjoy special behind the scenes activities and other VIP options.

The Academy Café has a variety of entrees, snacks and desserts and is open during museum hours. The Moss Room is the fine dining space at the museum and is open after hours. The Academy Store has a variety of gifts, books, apparel, and merchandise.

The Academy also has a free iPhone app called the Academy Insider. This app provides information on the various exhibits, self-guided tours, a map, directions and other information that will help make your visit a great experience. You can download the app from the Academy webpage.

Getting There: Parking is available in the Concourse Parking facility located at the corner of Fulton and 10th. The garage fills up quickly on weekends, so come early or consider public transit. Be sure to take all personal and valuable items with you and do not leave them in your car.

Taking public transit to the Academy is easy and highly recommended. The #44 (O’Shaughnessy) bus stops at the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park, just across for the Academy. The #5 (Fulton) bus stops just outside the park and it’s a short walk to the Academy.

The N-Judah Muni stops at the corner of 9th and Irving, and then it is just a short walk to the Academy. If you walk, bike or take public transit to the museum, you can save $3 on admission. 55 Music Concourse Dr., Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, 94118

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