Why go
California Academy of Sciences is defined by the indoor rainforest dome, coral reef, penguins, and green roof. Another layer comes from scientific collections paired with immersive exhibits. Plan California Academy of Sciences by remembering to reserve timed sub-experiences early and allow several hours. After California Academy of Sciences, choose de Young Museum or Japanese Tea Garden; this keeps California Academy of Sciences geographically coherent and avoids forcing California Academy of Sciences into an unrelated crossing.
What to look for
- Look closely at the indoor rainforest dome, coral reef, penguins, and green roof.
- Notice scientific collections paired with immersive exhibits.
The full story
The California Academy of Sciences is a natural history museum in San Francisco, California, that is among the largest museums of natural history in the world, housing over 26 million specimens. The Academy began in 1853 as a learned society and still carries out a large amount of original research, with exhibits and education becoming significant endeavors of the museum during the 20th century. Completely rebuilt in 2008, the building covers 400,000 square feet and is among the newest natural history museums in the United States. The primary building in Golden Gate Park reopened on September 27, 2008. The California Academy of Sciences, California's oldest operating museum and research institution for the natural sciences, is governed by a forty-one member Board of Trustees who are nominated and chosen by the Academy Fellows. The Academy Fellows are, in turn, "ominated by their colleagues and appointed by the Board of Trustees...the Fellows remain members of the Fellowship for life." The Board of Trustees are then responsible for appointing the executive management of the Academy, who in turn are responsible for overseeing the Academy's overall operation and the hiring of its other managers and employees.
Useful to know
- For California Academy of Sciences, reserve timed sub-experiences early and allow several hours.
- Pair California Academy of Sciences with de Young Museum or Japanese Tea Garden when the route and opening conditions align.
Your next visit
Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.
Outdoor visit · 30–45 min
World planning estimate; admission, opening, visit duration and access need checking.