Please note: Osher Rainforest will be closed for maintenance May 7-9.
On September 29, 2023, Steinhart Aquarium is turning 100! You’re invited to add to this community scrapbook by sharing a favorite memory, creature, or aha! moment from the museum. Thanks for contributing your stories—and being part of ours.
Dear California Academy of Sciences and Science-Loving Citizens of Earth
I want to share with you two favorite memories of the California Academy. The first memory: John McCosker was head of the Steinhart Aquarium in 1980 when Sandy, the first great white shark to survive in captivity, arrived at the circular fish roundabout. After 3 1/2 days, Sandy was loaded up (think of that!) and shipped out to the waters of the Farallon Islands. My second favorite memory is of researching aerial maps at the UC Berkeley libraries, and then trekking up and over the Sierras from Mono Lake to the Yosemite Valley floor, re-creating the path of explorer Joseph Reddeford Walker, who led a party of men from Wyoming to California over unmapped territory in 1833. I did this for my article "To Cross The High Sierra" in the Spring 1995 issue of the Academy's magazine Pacific Discovery. Today our way ahead is unmapped, but let's go forward together, a world to save before us.
Best wishes, Martha E. Ture, Mt. Tamalpais Photos.com
2023-03-21T14:04:19-07:00
My son Isaac, who is six, has been a regular monthly visitor since he was 4. I love that my six year old knows the layout of the Academy better than the back of his hand. We always visit Claude first; then it's a choice between the rain forest, the Penguins, the deep ocean, the rooftop fresh air, sharks teeth, Earth quake fear... It's a smorgasbord of wonder and questions. I never thought a six year old could educate an adult. Thank you Academy of Sciences.
Love, the Mathis family
2023-03-21T13:55:11-07:00
Dear Academy of Sciences,
Thank you for being an integral part of raising our children. We’ve been visiting your wonders from before each baby was born and beyond. We’ll be coming here with our grandchildren someday too.
Love, the Gilmete Family
2023-03-21T13:35:36-07:00
Dear Cal Academy,
Our Nan became a member so we could see and learn in a fun environment. We have been to penguins in pajamas, ice skating, and of course visits with Claude and and the aquarium. One year we even had a birthday party there!
Thanks, The Gilbert Family
2023-03-21T13:28:36-07:00
Summer Camp
Favorite memory California Academy of science had a science summer camp through Moscone Park which I attended, and I enjoyed for 8 weeks. Love the experience. as a kid nothing better it was learning the way learning should be which is fun interacting with the starfish & critters the enjoyment of going to the observatory every day definitely one of my favorite memories. That’s what I call learning at a whole other level so grateful to all the staff there that supported and taught us kids. you all created wonderful memories of California Academy of science, that I will always carry with me . Happy 170th birthday California Academy of science & too many more.
The Tarantino-Versace Family
2023-03-21T12:48:28-07:00
Dear Academy,
Still remember the look on my children's face as they stared into the aquarium!
Thank You Academy of Sciences!
2023-03-21T12:42:23-07:00
Education Department
I an grateful for the classes my kids were able to attend during school breaks. There were many happy hours spent in the basement classrooms of the old building. They discovered new worlds with great teachers.
Thanks for the memories
2023-03-21T12:29:31-07:00
Dear Academy of Sciences
One of many wonderful memories is one of my earliest when I was about ten years old, about 65 years ago. I was with my family at a planetarium show. The presenter was going to launch a small rocket to the ceiling and needed a volunteer to set it off. I jumped up immediately and was picked to be the launcher. The rocket was attached to a wire and powered by a co2 cartridge. I got the cartridge as a souvenir. A big thrill for a young boy who grew up to be a high school science teacher.
Fondly, Danny Bever
2023-03-21T12:27:06-07:00
California Academy of Sciences
I'm a native San Franciscan. When I was 7 or 8, the aquarium, alligator pit, the two headed snake, and the planetarium, where the greatest attractions, on the planet. I could go there every day, and never get tired of seeing those gators!
415 Cali Bred
2023-03-21T12:13:14-07:00
Dear Academy,
Thank you for all the memories. When I had my kid, you were a favorite place to go. I have my own fond memories of visiting with my family when I was young. My kid always finds something to be amazed by. His signature move back then was having his pointer finger always out. Thanks for all the wonders to explore (and point at!)
Love, Hudson and family
2023-03-21T12:09:46-07:00
Hello,
I’m member and enjoy going with my family and friends. Science has always intrigue the inner child in me and the Academy of science is where I like to go to be a child again.
With love, Pamela
2023-03-21T12:09:46-07:00
To All Who Enjoy and GOOD SHAKE Now and Then
I always enjoyed taking visitors, young and not so young, to experience the ‘06 earthquake The look on their faces as we began to shake and then their amazement at the length of the rolling. It was always fun and exciting and as soon as they recovered the all said they had no idea! It was quite an experience!
A Born and raised San Franciscan, Barb Barnum
2023-03-21T11:59:22-07:00
Dear Claude
My son Greg won a First Place is the California Academy of Science Science Fair. He went on to a career in teaching Environmental Science at Aragon High School
Love, the Moretti Family
2023-03-21T11:56:37-07:00
Dear Cal Academy
Thank you for a lifetime of memories from my own childhood memories of the "whale fountain" in front of the Steinhart Aquarium and learning the names of all the African antelope in the Hall of Africa (I still know them!) to bringing my first child to free Wednesdays as a young mom, then my students as middle grades science teacher So many wonderful visits as the institution and facility evolved! I look forward to the next one.
Marian Murphy-Shaw and Family
2023-03-21T11:50:20-07:00
Dear Academy
Loved the Dinosaurs
Fondly Mimi
2023-03-21T11:45:17-07:00