California Academy of Sciences

Rob Arzumanian★★★★★★★★★★5.0a week ago

This was one of the best museums I have gone to. My family and I truly enjoyed the time we spent there. You can most certainly expect to spend a full day in the museum just wondering around. The price of the tickets might seem a little overpriced, however, as soon as you decide to head out from there - you'll realize that it was worth it! The place has several decent food restaurants and you can expect to dine in and enjoy high quality food. One of the main attractions is the Planetarium (an analog version of Las Vegas Sphere) which features interesting short 30 minutes documentaries. Very recommended.

Eyeconik Media★★★★★★★★★★5.04 weeks ago

One of the things I love most about San Francisco is its sheer diversity. From the stunning architecture to the hubs of scientific exploration, this city has it all. Right next to the de Young Museum sits the California Academy of Sciences, a place that holds so much nostalgia for me. Growing up, coming to San Francisco meant exploring their dinosaur exhibits and seeing the zebras. As I got older, I discovered their NightLife events. Being able to experience the entire museum as an adult at night brought back those incredible childhood memories while giving the space a completely new and exciting energy. Now as a professional wedding photographer and videographer, it is an absolute dream to showcase the weddings we capture here. We recently documented a truly remarkable day filled with fun, excitement, and a very intentional high end feel. Having the opportunity to capture beautiful images in such diverse environments all within one building is incredible. We were able to shoot stunning portraits right next to Claude the historic albino alligator and capture beautiful silhouettes in front of the zebras. The venue allows couples to blend a wildly fun experience with a truly luxurious aesthetic. This was easily one of the most memorable weddings I have ever filmed, completely topped off when Peaches Christ arrived for a surprise drag performance. If you are planning to get married nearby, I highly recommend hosting your outdoor ceremony at the Shakespeare Garden just a few steps away. Whether you are bringing your family for a daytime visit, signing up to check out the nightlife, or planning an epic wedding, the California Academy of Sciences is simply a phenomenal place to be!

Nancy C.★★★★★★★★★★5.02 months ago

California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco This is such a great place for all ages, young and old! There are so much to see and learn! From live butterflies, jellyfishes to cute, funny penguins. 🦋🪼🐧 The Rainforests of the World is humid and gets pretty hot easily. The beautiful blue butterflies flies around and be careful where you are walking, there are live roaches in there too! 😂🦋🪳 The planetarium is great to watch documentaries and any of their showings. There's two gift shops, one in the front of the museum and one in the back, behind the planetarium. 🛍️ There are large aquariums here, so much marine life to learn and see. The enclosure where Claude lived looked so empty. He will be missed. The restaurant is great also, there are indoor and outdoor seatings. The Rooftop has a gorgeous view of the Golden Gate Park and the surrounding museums but can be very windy! ✨ As of April, 2026. For those with Calfresh/ SNAP/ EBT, individual prices are $5 each person (limited 4 and must purchase in- person/ no online) and $49 for Family Membership. With Family Membership, you also get 10% off at the gift shops and at the restaurants. I love coming here and will continue to come back!

Monique Huerta★★★★★★★★★★5.0a month ago

All staff were great! Very helpful and willing to recommend activities. Got there late but we were able to cram a little of everything in since a staff said what route to take she was great! Wish I knew her name but we walked through the butterfly dome, aquarium, the SF earthquake simulation (thanks to the gentleman from gift shop recommendation) and a few walk through areas, then ended at the teletubby roof dome where another staff offered to take our photo and she didn't rush us out, was so kind. It was awesome!!

Little_Thriller★★★★★★★★★★5.04 months ago

I visited during the summer and had an amazing experience. We spent almost the entire day there — there’s so much to see and learn! It’s definitely a must-visit if you have kids, but adults will enjoy it just as much. Animal lovers will especially appreciate the wide variety of exhibits, from prehistoric creatures to present-day animals and fascinating sea life. The walk-through butterfly area is absolutely beautiful, filled with lush greenery and trees from around the world. Seeing the exotic Amazonian birds up close was another highlight. If you’re interested in astronomy, they also offer shows in their theater, which is impressive and well done. Be sure to check their website before you go — they host themed summer events. When I visited, they had dinosaurs in the garden, and the kids absolutely loved it! A helpful tip: buying tickets online is cheaper than purchasing them on site. The facility is clean, well maintained, and easy to navigate. Overall, it was a wonderful visit — I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!