California Academy of Sciences

I convinced myself to finally visit the California Academy of Sciences after a very long time of not having been there since 1995. I had to see what improvements and changes were made there since then. It was so great to see the African Hall exhibit once again. That place brought back so many childhood memories for me. I loved seeing the lions and zebra displays again. It was also great to see the Pendulum exhibit once again. It was my first time seeing the Albino Alligator and the other exhibits that I had never seen before, such as the Hidden Wonders. I purchased a T-Rex and Brachiosaurs toys at the Swamp Shop. I plan to visit this museum soon so I can see more of the exhibits.

Very lovely place. Exhibits are well done and very interesting. I enjoyed seeing swimming penguins 🐧 rain forest with butterflies 🦋 multitudes of aquariums on the lower level, experiencing SF earthquake, interesting movies in the planetarium 🪐 If you are wondering what age group, I would say anyone between 2-102 will have lots of fun here. The ticket is around $55/pp. We came on a very busy day: Saturday after Christmas so there were lines but moved quickly and we got to see everything. Parking was hard to find so if you have the luxury of time, pick some non-busy random weekday. The only other solution to deal with lines on busy days is to extend the opening hours= for Academy to stay open until 10-11pm

So much fun. Unlike museums where you just walk and read and observe and maybe have a guided tour, there are people with science background with roving displays explaining what they are showcasing and interact with you. This make the experience much more alive and living. And you maybe able to speak to some of the aquarium specialists, and have a new insight into the real method in keeping the vibrant displays alive and fascinating. It’s amazing for young children to elderly retirees. The interactive nature of the exhibits and all the living (and not so living) creatures are a marvel. Thank you everyone one who contributes to this great place.

It’s like a mix between a museum and a zoo, which makes it more fun to visit! Really liked the guide explanations for Claude. You can definitely see all the main exhibits within a few hours, so don’t be afraid of going near the end of the day. We also went to the planetarium. It’s such great value that it’s included in the price! The chairs are a bit too comfy though 😂

The California Academy of Sciences is an amazing place to visit, offering a little bit of everything—an impressive planetarium (included in the ticket price, but first come, first served), a rainforest exhibit, an aquarium, and a natural history museum. It's easy to spend several hours here, especially if you want to catch a planetarium show. While it's a great spot for families, it's definitely not just for kids—my husband and I had a fantastic time exploring all the exhibits. There’s also a cafeteria with several food options. The parking was a bit of a challenge to find on the street. If you park in the nearby garage, though, it's an easy walk to the entrance.

You get to see a ton of awesome things. They have areas where birds and bugs can fly free, and you can get really close to some sleepy little bats. The...

This was a staple in my own childhood and sharing the experience with my kids and seeing some of the same exhibits brought back great memories. This...

Lunch was good bc taste was great and so was the price! Got to see the Albino gator (or croc... don't remember?). Tho it was a rainy day, yet it was a great...