This Valentine's Day, send a Love Letter to your favorite Academy animal, biologist, diver, or scientist to let them know how they set your heart aflutter. We’ll make sure your letter reaches its intended recipient (we’ll even read out loud to Claude if necessary, promise), and you can read other Love Letters by clicking any image below. To write yours, just use our easy form:

Dear Pierre and friends,
I miss seeing you all swim and play! During the pandemic I’ve been reading the book about you and your wetsuit to my 1 year old daughter. She loves it and I love sharing the magic, inventiveness, and and wonder that the Academy delivers. It’s a truly special place that is near to my heart!
Love, Marina Kohler
2021-06-28T11:54:40-07:00
Dear Claude,
I love you Claude, you're the best. I drew you this picture of you.
Isaac Lee
2021-06-27T21:27:36-07:00
To everyone at Cal Academy,
I miss everything about the California Academy Of Sciences and I miss attending NightLife. It’s been way too long since I visited. Can’t wait to return and visit again.
Sincerely, Hajji
2021-06-24T19:43:48-07:00
Dear Butterflies,
Thank you for allowing me to visit your home in the rainforest. Your beauty always makes me smile. It has been difficult not seeing you this past year and a half. But thoughts of you during these troubling times warms my heart. I can't wait to see you again.
Love, Karen
2021-06-22T11:30:18-07:00
Dear Ursula,
Bruce Hiler, Steinhart biologist led participants on a tour featuring the meeting with Ursula , the penguin.
Carol Drake
2021-06-22T07:31:48-07:00
To everyone at CatAcademy.
We visited from U.K. 2 years ago this week. The academy was one of our hilights in San Francisco and our visit was far more interesting and informative than we imagined it would be. The deliverance of science wonders of the world are sometimes hard to convey but we found the balance perfect!
Kind regards - Anne, Roddy & Damon
2021-06-21T22:51:49-07:00
Dear Rainforest fish tunnel,
We love sitting on the benches to watch all the fish swim over head & search for the turtles as we enjoy a snack. We have even visited the Academy only to have lunch under the tunnel. Can't wait to see you again
Love, Liz & family
2021-06-21T20:55:53-07:00
Dear Cal Academy Scientists & Staff
While I grew up just outside the Bay Area, visiting San Francisco was something my mother and I did all time growing up. I’ve always been a big fan of museums and I think Cal Academy’s interactivity with guests (and Claude, we can’t forget him!) was something that always kept me coming back. I love hands-on stuff and feeling like I’m included in what’s happening, so visiting has always been and will continue to be a blast. The California Academy of Sciences also greatly influenced how I see and value the planet and those living on it. I’ve just graduated this first week of June (2021) and my plan now is to move to San Francisco with my girlfriend so that I can study zoology or marine biology (I still haven’t decided). My dream job is to work with Cal Academy one day to inspire other children the same way the Academy’s expansive team has inspired me! Joining the team I revere so deeply is my next step in life, hoping I can make it come true!
With Love, Mac Tengonciang
2021-06-21T17:51:45-07:00
Dear Claude
I admire your independency.
Love, a small child.
2021-06-21T17:19:30-07:00
Dear Academy scientists
I recently visited the de Young museum’s interesting exhibit about art and artificial intelligence. Afterward I went on the Ferris wheel nearby … from which vantage point I got a unique-for-me view of my favorite science museum. (I’m a member.) Hopefully soon, my next stop in the park is the Academy!
—Jon
2021-06-21T14:34:47-07:00
To everyone at the Academy,
Some of my earliest memories are of going to the aquarium with my mother. I remember being small enough that the seahorse fence was taller than I was. Growing up as an autistic kid meant that I felt alienated from my peers as I grew up, and many things other children enjoyed were overwhelming, but the aquarium was always a home for me. My mother would take me there especially when I was struggling, and silently sit with me while I studied the fish, or waited hours for Claude to move. I learned to be brave enough to ask the staff questions about my favorite animals, and the things I learned have stayed with me throughout my life. This year I visited California for my tenth anniversary with my husband, and on the day of our anniversary we went to the academy. It was beautiful, and I loved being able to return and relive some of my happiest childhood memories, and also share them with the love of my life.
Thank you for being there.
2021-06-21T14:08:15-07:00
To all the Animals and wonderful Cal Academy Team Members
We could not choose just one particular animal, exhibit, team member to direct this love letter to. The truth is we missed all of you.....each and every part of the academy, whether its the amazing creatures, exhibits, employees, cafeteria, gift shop etc. WE ARE SO EXCITED YOU'RE BACK. My grandkids live in Chicago, but each time they come to visit, the Cal Academy of Science is at the top of their list of places to go! We loved the online experiences while in quarantine, but nothing beats making the trip to be back in the building. Thank you for everything you did to maintain during a difficult unprecedented time. We tried to do our part by donating during the pandemic, but we know the real work is in the actual care of the people, places and things that make the Academy special. See you soon!
Love, The Chavez Family
2021-06-21T13:57:28-07:00
Dear Academy Leaders
My family visited Claude last week & were so happy to do so! They came via Car-Free JFK and hope that they can have the support of Academy leadership in keeping this safe & sustainable street car-free forever.
Love, your long-time guests
2021-06-21T13:49:13-07:00
All
Thank you. Prepandemic I visited and lived nearby for years but moved away in 2017. You created such a beautiful sanctuary that it continues to be my #1 favorite place in the whole city and my happy place when things are weird. Thank you.
All the love In the world, Jess
2021-06-21T13:34:54-07:00
Dear Cownose Rays
Hi there! I hope that you’re all doing well! I really miss being able to watch you all day, but don’t worry: now that the Academy is opening up again, I can come and see you all the time!
Love, the girl who could watch y’all swim for hours
2021-06-21T13:19:15-07:00

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