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:

Send a Love Letter
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
Dear (Mascot) Claude and (Real) Claude,
Every year one of our favorite things to do is to take a photo with both the real Claude and the mascot Claude at the annual Holiday Nights event. We have missed you both during the pandemic and hope you both are faring well. Hope to see you soon. And hope you are enjoying the swamp.
Love, M+E
2021-06-21T13:15:06-07:00
Dear Arapaima
I love walking into the tunnel of the flooded amazon forest and watching the room go dark as you slowly swim across the top! Your scales are so amazing and I cannot believe how much you resemble a creature that has been on this earth for thousands of years! I hope you know that you are my favourite fish and I enjoy seeing you at every academy visit!
Love, Candice
2021-06-21T12:39:00-07:00
Dear Claude,
Both my grandsons wanted to visit you first before exploring the rest of the museum! While we were there, you actually moved and the boys loved seeing that. One went home with a Claude stuffed animal . Thanks for starting off our wonderful museum visit with such joy!
Much love, The Ferrando/Ewing families
2021-06-21T12:25:18-07:00
Marie Angel
Thank you to all the wonderful staff, scientists, animals and everyone who kept the Academy going under challenging circumstances this past year. A special thanks to Marie who loves her job and coworkers. We are so proud of you and all the exceptional people who make the Academy such a unique and beautiful place to work and visit.
Love, The Angel Family
2021-06-21T12:23:37-07:00
Claude
I miss you!!!
Lynne Andresevic
2021-06-21T11:35:07-07:00
Dear Penguins,
It has been a pleasure to be able to tune in on your webcam to watch you in action every day. I especially enjoy catching you at feeding time. I share these photos with my granddaughter. When she was younger, we went often to see you. Happy to know visitors are welcome again. We have been long time members of the Academy.
Marilyn
2021-06-19T11:16:26-07:00
Academy in General
I have missed the academy the past year but have been so thankful for the Thursday night schools. I have so enjoyed the presentations and thank you so much for making them available to members. I hope you will continue with these so interesting and educational presentations.
From a loyal member.
2021-06-18T15:15:32-07:00
To Whom it May Concern:
My nephew and his wife came from Florida to visit me here in San Francisco a few years back. The planetarium was undoubtedly one of the most magical and memorable events of their entire trip. Talk about loving something! Thank you…
Love, Uncle Artie
2021-06-18T05:19:46-07:00

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