Plan a Visit
Welcome to the Academy – the only place on the planet with an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a 4-story rainforest all under one roof. It’s a stunning architectural achievement with hundreds of unique exhibits and nearly 40,000 live animals.
General Admission
Admission to the California Academy of Sciences includes access to all museum and aquarium exhibits, including the rainforest, planetarium, and living roof. Admission to this popular Bay Area attraction includes a wide range of daily programs and activities, including dive shows, penguin feedings, swamp talks and more. It's fun for the whole family!
Museum Tickets
The Academy is one of the most memorable Bay Area attractions, and is a great place to bring friends and family.
During peak periods, a $5 admission surcharge is added to ticket purchases at the door. This surcharge does not apply to tickets purchased online, which are valid any day, including peak periods.
| General Admission | Buy Tickets |
| Adult | $29.95 |
| Senior (ages 65 and over) | $24.95 |
| Student | $24.95 |
| Youth (ages 12-17) | $24.95 |
| Child (ages 4-11) | $19.95 |
| Ages 3 and under | FREE |
| Specialty Tickets | |
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| Behind-the-Scenes Tour Details | |
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$89 / person $69 / Academy members |
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| Group Tours Details | |
| NightLife Tickets | Buy Tickets |
| Adult (21 and over) Details | $12 |
| Member (21 and over) | $10 |
| NightLife VIP Tour Details | $59 |
| Upcoming Peak Period Days | |
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February 18 through February 20, 2012 April 7 through April 15, 2012 May 26 through May 28, 2012 |
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The Planetarium is very popular and tickets are handed out on a first come first serve basis due to limited seating. Visit the cart at the planetarium theater to pick up a show pass. The show is not appropriate for kids 6 and under, and children 3 and under are not permitted.
Museum Free Days
Free Day Changes
The Academy is changing its free day policy to target more working families, who were previously unable to come on the Wednesday free days. We hope that this change to weekend dates will allow a wider range of people to attend.
Starting in 2012, the Academy's monthly Free Wednesday will be replaced with a quarterly Free Sunday. The free days for 2012 will be:
- February 5, 2012
- June 3, 2012
- September 16, 2012
- December 9, 2012
San Francisco Neighborhood Free Days
Residents of San Francisco can enjoy free admission on a designated weekend each spring and fall, according to ZIP code. Click here for the 2012 SF Neighborhood Free Day schedule. Details
Admission to the Academy is on a first-come, first-served basis, and early arrival is recommended due to the likelihood of high demand. Please note that some visitors may experience a wait at the front entrance during peak times, and final entry to the museum on free days is 4 pm.
Museum Hours |
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Monday - Saturday
9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tickets can be purchased up to an hour before closing.
The Academy is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Members-only Hours |
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Tuesdays: 8:30 am - 9:30 am
Sundays: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Members may bring ticketed guests during members-only hours. All guests must have a paid admission ticket and be accompanied by a current member.
Location |
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55 Music Concourse Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 379-8000
Accessibility |
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The Academy provides a wide variety of services to individuals with disabilities.
- Wheelchairs are available at the Coat Check on a first come, first served basis.
- Accessible parking is available in the underground garage.
- Assistive listening devices are available for visitors who are hearing impaired.
- Service animals are the only animals the public is allowed to bring into the museum. Read the Academy’s service animal policy
To download a PDF version of the Accessibility Guide, please click here.
Evolving Traditions |
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Explore this new exhibit featuring Native American pottery and silver jewelry. Learn more
Academy Insider |
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Download the Academy Insider, a free iPhone app provides information on exhibits throughout the museum, self-guided tours, a live daily programs feed, museum floor plans, step-by-step directions, and other useful tools. Users can learn more about Academy exhibits through fun facts, quizzes, video and audio clips, and other interactive activities.
Memberships |
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Join today and experience all our Member Appreciation benefits including special memebers-only programs, 20% off shopping, tours, Academy Cafe and more!
Academy Sleepovers |
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Camp out for a night at the Academy and see the museum in a whole new light with our new sleepover package.
