California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences brings several kinds of exploration together at Golden Gate Park’s Music Concourse. Visitors can move between the Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, Osher Rainforest, and Kimball Natural History Museum within one institution. The planted living roof is also a distinctive part of the building’s identity.

This is a place to plan around a few priorities. Aquarium viewing has a different rhythm from a planetarium presentation, while the rainforest dome offers another environment to explore. A family interested in animals may spend its time very differently from a visitor drawn to astronomy or the building’s environmental design. Allow room in the schedule to follow those interests instead of expecting to give every section equal attention.

Advance admission is recommended. Planetarium passes are first come, first served and are reserved after arrival using the lobby QR code; admission to a particular presentation is not automatically guaranteed by a museum ticket. The planetarium does not admit children under four. Check the Academy’s visit calendar for special closures and shortened days, especially when planning around an afternoon arrival.

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