Academy Tours

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Our exclusive Behind-the-Scenes tours give you the opportunity to dive deeper into the Academy and our comprehensive commitment to science, research, education, and conservation both here in our exhibits and beyond our walls.

Behind-the-Scenes Aquarium Tour: Go behind the scenes to learn about the history of Steinhart Aquarium and how biologists care for the 38,000 animals—butterflies, fish, penguins, even an albino alligator—that live in the building. Visit the food prep kitchen, see the complex water filtration system, and much more on an hour-long exclusive aquarium tour.

Schedule: Daily at 10am, 1pm, and 3pm

Tickets: members / non-members

Behind-the-Scenes Academy Tour: Explore the Academy from an insider's perspective and spend an hour behind the scenes learning more about the institution's 159-year history and how its scientists are tackling critical questions about life on Earth. Visit the research collections and a working laboratory, get closer to the living roof, and see breathtaking geology specimens in the vault.

Schedule: Daily at 11am, 2pm, and 3:30pm

Tickets: members / non-members

Both Tours Include:

• 1 hour guided tour
• Behind-the-Scenes Access
• Express entry into the building
• VIP entrance to the Rainforests of the World Exhibit
• Reserved Planetarium Seats
• 10% Discount in The Moss Room restaurant and Academy Gift Shops

Pricing:

• $24.95 per person (plus general admission ticket)
• $19.95 per Academy Member

Group Pricing:

• Group rates available for groups of 10 or more. Learn More

Please note:

• Tour ticket fees do not include general admission to the Academy. Tour Guests must also purchase general admission tickets to visit the Academy.
• Guests on the Behind-the-Scenes Tours must be 8 or older to participate. Guests between the ages of 8-17 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
• Guests are encouraged to explore the museum exhibits before or after the tour. The Behind-the-Scenes Tour does not visit all of the public exhibits.
• Parking in Golden Gate Park can be challenging, especially on weekends and holidays. Taking public transportation or getting dropped-off is highly encouraged.
• Tours run on schedule. Please arrive early to check-in.
• These are walking tours. Please wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for indoors and outdoors. Uneven surfaces, slick spots, or inclement weather may be encountered. All Academy Tours are ADA accessible.
• Elements of the Behind-the-Scenes Tour and exhibits at the Academy are subject to change without prior notice.

View the Tour Video:

 

To purchase by phone, call (888) 670-4433. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

NightLife VIP Tour

NightLife is a weekly event where visitors ages 21 and older can enjoy music, science, entertainment and cocktails, while experiencing the Academy’s world-class exhibits and having fun with friends. Each weekly installment features something new and different.

If you want an entirely different NightLife experience, join us on our NightLife VIP Tour.

VIP Tour includes:

• Express entry into the building
• An open bar and hors d’oeuvres in a reserved cocktail area, prior to the tour
• A one-hour behind-the-scenes tour with a private viewing of some of the Academy’s renowned gem and mineral collection, and interaction with Academy researchers
• VIP access to the Rainforests of the World exhibit
• A reserved pass for the 8:30pm Planetarium show

Schedule:

• Every Thursday during NightLife
• Open bar and hors d'oeuvres begin promptly at 6:00 pm. Tour leaves at 6:30pm without exception.
• Dinner is available for purchase at the Academy Cafe post-tour. The Planetarium show ends at approximately 9:05 pm.

Pricing:

• $59.00/person (21 years of age and older). Includes admission to NightLife.
• Group rates available for groups of 10 or more. Click here to book a NightLife VIP tour for your group.
• Limited tickets available each week

Please note:

• Please arrive at 6:00pm and enter through the “Membership” entrance. Meet at VIP CHECK-IN inside the Main Lobby to receive your all access badge and further instructions.
• Parking can be very difficult on busy days. We strongly encourage public transportation or drop-off. Please allow plenty of extra time for traffic, parking, and arrival.
• The Nightlife VIP Tour has a capacity of 60 guests.
• Please note: Reserved seating to lectures is not included and elements of the tour may change without notice. The open bar is only available prior to the tour.

 

To purchase by phone, call (888) 670-4433. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Celebration Tour Package

Celebrate a birthday or special occasion with our Celebration Tour Package!

With the Celebration Tour Package you can turn either our Aquarium or Reefs to Rainforests Adventure Tour into a celebration (learn more about these tours here). Following the tour of your choice, your group will continue the fun in a private room with light refreshments and cupcakes.

Tour Includes:

• 1 hour private guided tour followed by a 30 minute private reception area
• Cupcakes and light refreshments (Coffee, Tea, Water, Juice, Milk, Fruit) following tour
• Express entry into the building
• VIP entrance to the Rainforests of the World Exhibit
• Reserved Planetarium Seats
• Academy Gift
• 10% Discount in The Moss Room restaurant and Academy Gift Shops

Schedule:

The Celebration Tour Package is available daily from 10–11:30am or from 3:30–5pm (please note the Academy closes at 5pm daily)

Pricing:

• $499.95 non member pricing (plus general admission ticket; 14 guests maximum)
• $399.95 member pricing (plus general admission ticket; 14 guests maximum)

To Book your Celebration Tour Package please contact Specialty Tours at 415-379-5854 or .

Please note:

• Tour ticket fees do not include general admission to the Academy. Tour Guests must also purchase general admission tickets to visit the Academy.
• The Celebration Tour Package can accommodate up 14 guests; all guests must be at least 5 years or older. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• The Celebration Tour Package must be booked 7 days in advance and is subject to availability.
• Guests are encouraged to explore the museum exhibits before or after the tour. The Celebration Tour Package does not visit all of the public exhibits.
• Parking in Golden Gate Park can be challenging, especially on weekends and holidays. Taking public transportation or getting dropped-off is highly encouraged.
• Tours run on schedule. Please arrive early to check—in.
• These are walking tours. Please wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for indoors and outdoors. Uneven surfaces, slick spots, or inclement weather may be encountered. All Academy Tours are ADA accessible.
• Elements of the Adventure Tours and exhibits at the Academy are subject to change without prior notice.
• There are no strollers allowed on tours.
• The Reefs to Rainforest Adventure Tour goes through an exhibit that is hot and humid. Dressing in removable layers is recommended and don’t forget your reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.

Adventure Tours

Sign up for one of our Adventure tours where you will learn about some of the most amazing species and exhibits in the Academy, current research, and what we can do to protect them for the future.

Aquarium Adventure Tour:This tour explores amazing species from all over the world that make their homes in everything from cold saltwater to warm freshwater. You will learn about the aquarium’s history, some of the amazing adaptations animals use to survive in the water, and what the Academy is doing to learn more about them, both here and in the field.

Reefs to Rainforests Adventure Tour*: What do coral reefs and rainforests have in common? Find out as you explore two of the Academy's most popular live animal exhibits on an hour-long guided tour. Learn about the rare and unique species that live in these ecosystems, and the Academy’s expeditions to these dynamic environments.

*Please note this tour goes through an exhibit that is hot and humid. Dressing in removable layers is recommended and don’t forget your reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.

Both Tours Include:

• 1 hour guided tour
• Express entry into the building
• VIP entrance to the Rainforests of the World Exhibit
• Reserved Planetarium Seats
• 10% Discount in The Moss Room restaurant and Academy Gift Shops

Schedule & Pricing:

Adventures Tours are available for groups of 10 or more guests at the discounted rate of $21.21/per person (regular rate $24.95 per person) plus general admission tickets.

For more information about these tours, availability, and how to book please contact Specialty Tours at or 415-379-5854

Please note:

• Tour ticket fees do not include general admission to the Academy. Tour Guests must also purchase general admission tickets to visit the Academy.
• Guests on the Adventure Tours must be 5 or older to participate.
• Guests are encouraged to explore the museum exhibits before or after the tour. The Adventure Tour does not visit all of the public exhibits.
• Parking in Golden Gate Park can be challenging, especially on weekends and holidays. Taking public transportation or getting dropped-off is highly encouraged.
• Tours run on schedule. Please arrive early to check-in.
• These are walking tours. Please wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for indoors and outdoors. Uneven surfaces, slick spots, or inclement weather may be encountered. All Academy Tours are ADA accessible.
• Elements of the Adventure Tours and exhibits at the Academy are subject to change without prior notice.
• There are no strollers allowed on tours.
• The Reefs to Rainforest Adventure Tour goes through an exhibit that is hot and humid. Dressing in removable layers is recommended and don’t forget your reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
• Elements of the Adventure Tour and exhibits at the Academy are subject to change without prior notice.

If your group is looking for a private tour after the building closes to the public, or to learn more about the greenest museum on Earth, then check out these custom tour options.

Green Building & Architecture Tour (ages 8+ only)

See first–hand the green design features and practices which earned the Academy two LEED Platinum ratings from the U.S. Green Building Council. This tour is available for groups of 10 or more only.

Tour Includes:

• 1 hour guided tour
• Behind–the–Scenes Access
• Express entry into the building
• VIP entrance to the Rainforests of the World Exhibit
• Reserved Planetarium Seats
• 10% Discount in The Moss Room restaurant and Academy Gift Shops

Pricing:

Green Building & Architecture Tours are available for groups of 10 or more guests at the discounted rate of $21.21/per person (regular rate $24.95 per person) plus general admission tickets.

After–Hours Tour (Guests 5+ Only)

Explore the Academy’s exhibits when the building closes to the public with this very exclusive tour option. This tour does not include our Rainforest exhibit or Planetarium show. This tour has a 25 guest minimum. Groups smaller than 25 can still book this tour but have to meet the minimum 25 person tour price.

Tour Includes:

• 1 Hour Guided Tour
• Behind–the–Scenes Access

Pricing:

$50 per person (25 person minimum)

For more information about these tours, availability, and how to book please contact Specialty Tours at or 415-379-5854

Please Note:

• Green Building & Architecture Tour and After-Hours Tour are subject to availability.
• Elements of the Green Building & Architecture Tour and After-Hours Tour and exhibits at the Academy are subject to change without prior notice.
• These are walking tours. Please wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for indoors and outdoors. Uneven surfaces, slick spots, or inclement weather may be encountered. All Academy Tours are ADA accessible.