Visit the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco: tickets, prices, schedules

In San Francisco? Follow the guide to visit the California Academy of Sciences, considered among the pioneers of natural history museums!

San Francisco is certainly one of the most beautiful cities on the west coast of the United States. The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz prison , the Fisherman’s Wharf, the iconic trams are world-famous symbols. But visiting San Francisco is also discovering its cultural richness and its many museums dedicated to Arts and History.

The California Academy of Sciences is home to an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum and scientific research and teaching programs. At more than 150 years old, it is a must in San Francisco. Unique in its kind, the Academy of Sciences of California is the only site in the world that allows you to see African manchots, to navigate through the galaxy and to venture into a tropical wet forest in the same place. You can even discover a coral reef and much more!

So, to discover this local symbol, we made you a mini-guide to visit the Academy of Sciences of California in peace.

History of the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco

Born in San Francisco in 1853, the California Academy of Sciences is the oldest scientific institution in the western United States. At the initiative of this project, a group of naturalists and scientists wishing to explore, collect and study the natural resources of California and other continents.

It was in 1874 that the first official museum of the Academy opened its doors. Located at the corner of California street and Dupont Street (now Chinatown), it attracts up to 80,000 visitors per year. A few years later, in 1891, the Academy of Sciences offered a new larger building on Market Street. The goal? Welcome more scientific treasures! However, barely fifteen years later, the building was a victim of the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. It is necessary to wait until 1916 for the Academy of Sciences of California to settle in the North American Hall of Birds and Mammals of the Golden Gate Park. The following years, many halls and facilities are added to the museum such as the aquarium, the African hall and the planetarium.

In 1989, the earthquake of Loma Prieta shook the region again, causing major structural damage. The Academy of Sciences of California is then in a critical state. However, the Academy does not allow itself to fall and take advantage of it to rethink the entire experience of the museum. His new vision? Create an institution in accordance with the twenty-first century. Thus, the museum would become a prime destination for the public, promising visitors to benefit from all the latest scientific research. A whole new version that would include educating, engaging and inspiring visitors to the environment around them. After ten years of work, the new museum sees the day: we are in 2008 and its new face designed by architect Renzo Piano is furious. And for cause, man is known for drawing the center Georges Pompidou in Paris .

Today, the building is now environmentally responsible. Thanks to its vegetated roof and solar panel of 60,000 photovoltaic cells, it produces its own electricity!

What to see and what to do at the California Academy of Sciences?

The California Academy of Sciences is one of the world’s top ten natural history museums. It extends over nearly 10,000 m2. It is the only one in the world to gather under one roof a museum of natural history, an aquarium, a planetarium and global scientific research programs. Sophisticated and comprehensive facilities are also available to visitors. You will discover a space “Tremblements de terre”, a 3D film, a conference room, a library and scientific archives of over 46 million samples.

The visit of the Academy of Sciences of California is organized around several poles.

The Steinhart Aquarium

Located in the basement of the museum, it is one of the most biologically diverse and interactive aquariums on the planet. There are re-enactments of our planet’s ecosystems such as a coral reef in the Philippines or a marsh in the south of the United States. The aquarium houses more than 900 unique species and nearly 40,000 living animals. There are reptiles, including albinos crocodile. The aquarium offers its customers an unprecedented view of their submarine and terrestrial habitats.

The Morrison Planetarium

Under one dome 22 meters You will observe the cosmos of our planet to the most distant galaxies. The planetarium shows are powered by advanced scientific data. And for cause, they allow us to visualize the latest discoveries and theories about our universe! Each star or galaxy met by a spectator in the planetarium accurately reflects its true world counterpart.

Note that the number of places is limited for this attraction.

The rainforest

Inside the dome, a magnificent neotropical artificial forest has been recreated to perfection. More 1,600 plants and animals They live there. You'll see a bunch of leaves, tropical birds and a creeping Amazon boa. On four levels, you will discover three types of tropical forests: that of Borneo, that of Madagascar, then a Costa Rican forest. At each stage of the trip, you will meet incredible animals that live in these forests.

Kimball Natural History Museum

It offers visitors 150 years discoveries and research. You will learn more about fossils, tectonic plates, earthquakes and dinosaur skeletons. Everything is explained in a playful and intelligent way. The museum also offers quality exhibitions on the evolution of life on earth and its preservation in space. You can admire the skeletons of the tyrannosaure rex and the great blue whale.

To do more : Don’t miss a tour on the roof of the building, the panorama is masterful. Finally, for a gourmet break, two restaurants were made available to visitors.

How do I go to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco?

• On foot : To visit the Academy of Sciences of California you will have to go to the Golden Gate Park at number 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118.
• By metro : Take the N-Judah line and get off at 9th Avenue which is outside the park. The Academy is 800 metres from the resort.
• By bus : To reach the Academy of Sciences of California, you can use bus lines 5 and 44. If you choose the number 5 bus, go down to 8th Ave & Fulton St which is outside the park. The bus line 44 will take you to Golden Gate Park Museums just a few metres from the museum.
• By car : If you plan to drive to the museum, the underground parking Music Concourse Garage is the best place to park. It is only a few steps from the entrance.

Schedules and prices of the California Academy of Sciences

HORARI

The California Academy of Sciences is open daily, 365 days a year.

• Monday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday From 11am to 5pm

Note : Holiday hours can be applied for Thanksgiving or Christmas day. Please visit the website before visiting the California Academy of Sciences.

RATES

You can buy your ticket directly at the museum entrance or book it online. Admission is free for holders of the .

Entry rates are given as an indication because they vary according to the low and age:

• 2 years and less : free
• From 3 to 17 years : from $23.25
• Adults 18-64 years : from $29.75
• 18-year-old student : from $26.00
• Senior 65+ : from $26.00