Natural history museum with an aquarium, planetarium & scientists conducting a variety of research.
Offerings
NightLifeWonder what our animals get up to once the sun goes down? Find out at the Academy's (mostly) weekly event that illuminates the intersection of art and science.
Penguins+Pajamas SleepoversTreat your family to an unforgettable night at the museum—and wake up to free admission the next day!
Timescapes—an all-new planetarium filmJoin herds of migrating mammoths, ancient flying pterosaurs, and giant marine reptiles on a time-hopping trip through California that you won’t soon forget.
Member HourThe Academy is open for members only every Tuesday from 8:30-9:30 am and Sunday from 10-11 am.
Mint Tea & MelodiesEnjoy tea and a “performance” where a living plant’s electrical rhythms transform into music. Daily, 10 a.m.
Sensory StorytimeLearn about animals' senses—including your own!—through this interactive Sensory Storytime. Daily, 10:15 a.m.
Penguin FeedingLearn about our charismatic African penguin colony from an Academy biologist. Daily, 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Children's Puppet Theater: Arthropod OperaSing the praises of arthropods with a fun crew of puppet performers in this kid-friendly program. Daily, 11 a.m.
Coral Reef DiveWatch a diver plunges into one of the world's deepest living coral reef tanks. Daily, 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Birds & BeatsCollaborate with a local bird by creating music with their calls! Daily, 1 p.m.
What Can a Photo Do?Explore the stories behind real discoveries made possible by everyday people using iNaturalist. Daily, 2 p.m.
Lagoon SensesDiscover how these incredible animals use electric signals to locate prey on the ocean floor. Daily, 3:30 p.m.
Living WorldsDiscover how a deeper understanding of Earth might help us spot other living worlds light-years away.
Venom: Fangs, Stingers, and SpinesEncounter an eye-catching array of 12+ venomous species, from scorpions and jellies to spiders and snakes.
Fright NightLifeSomething wickedly fierce is roaming the museum. Join our Halloween haunt with Peaches Christ.
Twilight Zone: Deep Reefs RevealedLife in technicolor: Neon-hued fish and corals abound in Twilight Zone’s vivid habitats. Candy colors. Ingenious adaptations. Extreme conditions. Meet the unusual animals that inhabit deep reefs.
California: State of NatureA multi-sensory exhibition reveals the surprising ways people, places, and species are connected in California.
WowsaboutEnter a world of wonder, whimsy, and adventure with Roxy and Ronald, The Jim Henson Company's newest characters.
Steinhart AquariumCome face-to-fin with nearly 60,000 animals from 800+ species—many of which are displayed nowhere else on Earth.
Morrison PlanetariumExperience the cosmos from within our immersive 75-foot planetarium dome. Reserve a showtime when you arrive.
Osher RainforestJourney through a living 4-story rainforest, home to free-flying butterflies and birds and giant Amazonian fish.
Kimball Natural History MuseumExplore hands-on exhibits, fascinating specimens, and the latest research conducted by Academy scientists.
BigPicture: Natural World PhotographyEmbark on a visual odyssey of 2026's best nature, wildlife, and conservation photography. Open daily.
Hidden Wonders: Inside the Academy's CollectionsPeek into the past in an interactive exhibition of nearly 800 objects from the Academy's research collections.
Shake HouseStep in and hang on as our earthquake simulator recreates California's powerful 1906 and 1989 quakes.
Gems and Minerals UnearthedMarvel at nearly 400 dazzling and dramatic gem and mineral specimens from the Academy's geology collection.
Academy in ActionOur colorful new mini-exhibition brings our three regeneration initiatives out of the field and into the museum.
Color of LifeLive animals and hands-on exhibits reveal the significant role color plays across a vibrant spectrum of species.
California CoastGet a glimpse of the richness right off our coast and gaze at rockfish, eels, anemones, sharks, and more.
New Science: The Academy ExhibitCelebrate LGBTQ+ women and gender minorities of color working in STEMM in an exhibit kiosk and online gallery.
Philippine Coral ReefWatch reef fish dart through colorful forests of coral while giant rays sail gracefully under your feet.
Tusher African HallExplore our evolutionary history while surrounded by dioramas of African wildlife and splashing penguins.
Living RoofRolling hills and 1.7 million plants create an oasis for native species atop the Academy's 2.5-acre living roof.
Human OdysseyTrace the milestones of our species’ fascinating history by studying skull casts, interactive maps, and more.
Nature LabWelcome to our newly reimagined hub for hands-on exploration, with touchable specimens, science games, and more.
Wander WoodsActivate your kids' curiosity about the natural world in our outdoor nature play and exploration space.
Curiosity GroveYoung imaginations soar in this colorful, California forest-themed playspace. Open daily, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location
California Academy of Sciences 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA San Francisco, CA 94118
