• Guests look down onto the Amazon Flooded Forest inside the rainforest dome
    The newly refreshed rainforest features more dazzling butterflies and birds.
  • A digital still from Expedition Reef, the Academy's newest all-digital planetarium show.
    Now playing: Expedition Reef—the Academy's newest planetarium show.
  • African penguins on exhibit in African Hall
    Delight in our penguins' mealtime antics at 10:30 am and 3 pm daily.
  • A man marvels at the giant arapaima fish from below in the Amazon Flooded Forest tunnel
    Watch giant Amazonian arapaima glide overhead in our Flooded Forest tunnel.
  • T. Rex stands guard in the Academy lobby
    A toothy T. Rex greets guests at the Academy's main entrance
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See why the California Academy of Sciences is the Bay Area's most popular museum.

Buy Tickets

At the only aquarium-planetarium-rainforest-natural history museum on Earth, adventure is around every corner.

  • Marvel at the deepest living coral reef tank on Earth.
  • Have an out-of-galaxy experience in our 75-foot planetarium.
  • Trek through a butterfly-filled four-story tropical rainforest.

 

The Academy is one of those places that gives you both an educational and entertaining experience and the NightLife is such a fun event!

Ryan C.
Academy Visitor

Steinhart Aquarium

A trio of African penguins poses on a rock in their habitat

Our world-renowned aquarium is home to nearly 40,000 live animals representing over 900 separate species. Introduce yourself to these aquarium all-stars:

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Morrison Planetarium

Inside the Morrison Planetarium

Morrison Planetarium is one of the largest and most advanced all-digital domes in the world—and your admission ticket includes unlimited showtimes.

  • Now playing: Expedition Reef! Learn the secrets of the “rainforests of the sea” as you dive world’s most vibrant—and endangered—marine ecosystems.​​
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Osher Rainforest

A view of the indoor rainforest dome by Tim Griffith

Our lush, four-story rainforest is a slice of tropical paradise. Newly updated and teeming with exotic birds and butterflies, you'll forget you're in the middle of San Francisco. Be dazzled by:

  • Butterflies hatching daily in our new emergence chamber
  • 250 colorful, free-flying birds  
  • Giant Amazonian fish gliding below 
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Kimball Natural History Museum

Two Hunter’s hartebeest pose majestically in an African Hall diorama

Immerse yourself in hands-on exhibits that examine the past, present, and future of life on Earth. From dramatic displays to high-tech interactives, prepare to be captivated. Don't miss:

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What to See

Juggling a packed vacation schedule or kids in tow? Our suggested itineraries will ensure your visit is action-packed even if it's time-crunched.  

Take a Tour

Interested in learning more about our green building, how our aquarium works, or what lurks in our specimen collections? We've got a tour for that. 

Party After Hours

Every Thursday evening, the Academy turns truly wild. Live entertainment, special demos, and creative cocktails make NightLife the place to be for the 21+ crowd.  

Contact us
Have questions about the Academy? We're here to help.  
info@calacademy.org
(415) 379-8000