California Academy of Sciences
Museum Natural history museum with aquarium, planetarium, and research
In Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences houses an aquarium, rainforest dome, natural history museum and planetarium under a living roof-offering science exhibits, live animals and educational programs.
The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco is a combined natural history museum, aquarium, planetarium, and living rainforest housed in a single purpose-built facility in Golden Gate Park. The institution traces its origins to the mid-19th century and reopened in a new, sustainable building in 2008.
Key visitor attractions include a multi-story rainforest dome, the Steinhart Aquarium with marine and freshwater habitats, and the Morrison Planetarium offering astronomy programs. Exhibits integrate live animals, specimens, and interactive interpretive displays focused on biodiversity, earth systems and conservation.
The 2008 building features a planted living roof, open exhibition spaces, and sustainability systems designed to reduce energy use and showcase green architecture, while supporting the Academy’s research and public education missions.
Located in Golden Gate Park on San Francisco’s West Side, the museum is walkable from the park’s main entrances and well served by city transit.
- Building and living roof: The Academy's 2008 building, designed by Renzo Piano, features a 2.5-acre living roof and was constructed to combine museum, aquarium, planetarium and rainforest under one green, LEED-certified roof.
What to See #
- Osher Rainforest: A coral- and glass-enclosed rainforest dome that rises through the center of the building and houses live tropical plants, birds, and other small animals in a multi-story environment.
- Steinhart Aquarium: A large public aquarium with coastal and reef habitats, including touch tanks and walk-through exhibits that display marine and estuarine species.
- Morrison Planetarium: A projection-based planetarium offering astronomy shows and educational programming operated as part of the museum complex.
How to Get to California Academy of Sciences #
California Academy of Sciences is in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on the Music Concourse near 9th Avenue and Fulton Street. Take the Muni Metro N‑Judah line to the 9th Avenue stop (about a 7-10 minute walk into the park) or bus lines that run along Fulton/John F. Kennedy Drive and adjacent park roads. From downtown San Francisco it’s a roughly 15-25 minute drive west via Van Ness Avenue/US‑101 or Park Presidio Blvd; parking and bike access are available in the park.
Tips for Visiting California Academy of Sciences #
- Reserve timed-entry tickets in advance-especially on weekends and holidays-since the Academy limits capacity for the aquarium, rainforest and planetarium experiences.
- Plan your visit around scheduled events: aquarium feedings, planetarium shows and scheduled rainforest walkthroughs have limited seats, so pick showtimes when you buy tickets to avoid long waits or missing them.
- Start on the top floor rainforest and work down through the exhibits to avoid peak traffic jams around the aquarium and to take advantage of quieter viewing in the morning or late afternoon.
Best Time to Visit California Academy of Sciences #
For the California Academy of Sciences, go on a weekday morning outside of summer to avoid crowds; summer weekends are the busiest times.
Weather & Climate near California Academy of Sciences #
California Academy of Sciences's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in September) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (859 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (177 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (132 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Almost no rain.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 3 mm and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 3 mm and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (140 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
.jpg?width=600)
