California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco

About California Academy of Sciences

California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park combines an aquarium, rainforest, planetarium, and natural history museum under one roof. Visitors explore Steinhart Aquarium's nearly 60,000 live animals representing more than 800 species, including African penguins, Philippine coral reef fish, and jellyfish. The four-story Osher Rainforest houses 1,600 live plants and animals—from leafcutter ants and sun beetles to Amazonian tree boas and free-flying birds. The Morrison Planetarium and Kimball Natural History Museum round out the experience. The Academy also hosts daily programs including penguin feedings, coral reef demonstrations, and interactive exhibits like Vivid: Immerse Your Senses and Tiny Chef, Big Impact. Families with children age 2 and under receive free admission. The Academy offers multiple verified discounts: active-duty military receive $3 off daytime admission, visitors using sustainable transportation get $3 off, EBT cardholders pay $5 for daytime admission or discounted NightLife tickets for adults 21 and older, and NightLife admission costs about half the daytime price. Current deals are listed at calacademy.org.