California Academy of Sciences: Unique Science Adventure
4.2
535 Ratings
San Francisco
Embark on a unique science adventure at the California Academy of Sciences, the world's only aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum under one roof!
Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • California Academy of Sciences - Explore hands-on exhibits as you stroll beneath the bones of some of the planet’s largest inhabitants. Meet the charismatic African penguin colony while a biologist feeds them and answers your questions, be dazzled by nearly 400 dazzling specimens from the Academy’s renowned geology collection, keep your balance in an earthquake simulator, and more.
What's Included
  • Instant-access admission to the California Academy of Sciences
What's Not Included
  • Formal tour
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities (not required)
Additional Information

Experience a unique journey through science by visiting the only place in the world where an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum coexist under one biodome! With your convenience in mind, this ticket grants immediate entry, eliminating the need for ticket redemption at a different location – just show it at the entrance of the California Academy of Science and you’re good to go.

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:
Before your visit, please confirm the most recent details by clicking on the website link provided in your voucher.

  • Planetarium passes are free and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. When you arrive at the Academy, scan the QR code posted in the lobby to reserve a showtime. Please note that shows may not be appropriate for children under 7, and children under 4 are not permitted.
  • Sustainable, grab-and-go food and drinks are available for purchase at the Academy Café and Terrace Restaurant
Location
55 Music Concourse Dr
Music Concourse Drive
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(535 Ratings)
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Sally_o
Mar 4, 2024
California Academy of Science - This is a wonderful learning experience for folks of any age. Its worth the lines. The rainforest and aquarium were really great.
Review provided by Viator
Susie_k
Mar 2, 2024
WOW! - We were allowed into the building at 9:30 I am not sure why we had to wait 30 mins until at 10:00 we were allowed in to see the area. The Corpse Flower was magnificent and worth the wait!
Review provided by Viator
Adamcz9021ru
Feb 15, 2024
Plenty of things to see - Awesome collection. Especially Aquarium, Tropical Forest and Planetarium. A lot od things to see, books yourself about 5 hours to see everything
Review provided by Tripadvisor
461leannei
Jan 24, 2024
Highly Recommended - This was one of the highlights of our time in San Francisco - we did this on our last day and were all transfixed. So much to explore and see. Make sure that you leave enough time to explore the surrounding park and gardens in Golden Gate Park - which are also amazing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zoeg275
Jan 6, 2024
A fabulous must see museum in San Francisco! - This museum is a must see! Came here with my family and thoroughly enjoyed it. I wish I could have stayed longer. The aquarium was outstanding and my teenage daughter who is into marine biology loved it. I also had a great time and found it so well done. The rainforest is also very good. They do have a hands on animal exhibit which was a little busy with the littler kids but would be great for young children. Mine were a little old for it! The planetarium was also very good and free with the ticket. This is a must see if you are in San Francisco.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shyloh_a
Jan 5, 2024
Amazing family outing - We had a really good time. We learned a lot of new things. The penguins were really cute. The rainforest and the butterflies were amazing!
Review provided by Viator
74jadec
Feb 23, 2024
Complicated museum layout but some great exhibitions - Visited here recently with my sister. We went to the planetarium - the seats have no neck support and dont recline back so are very uncomfortable for a 30 minute viewing! The aquarium is great and loved the talk on Claude the Albino Aligator. The museum’s layout is a little complicated but the staff are very friendly and the area around is pretty. We came here as we had purchased the city pass.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P9561mxdanielf
Feb 27, 2024
Gouging Visitors, no longer the wondrous experience of yesterday. - I hadn't been to the California Academy or Planetarium for many, many years, so this was a new experience and contrast. Most noticeably, the prices and captive audience gouging is egregious. It cost more than $30 to park for the afternoon...even with a disabled sticker. Hungry? >$50 for a minimal slice of pizza (no toppings-those cost more) and/or one sandwich for 3 adults and a 7 year old, no drinks included. The planetarium shows were short and underwhelming, low image quality and amateurish narrative, a ghost of the exquisite precision German planetarium projector of eras past buttressed by engrossing intelligent tutorials from world class professionals. The aquarium, though rebuilt, is more or less the same, e.g. nice. Other things, the indoor "rainforest", ok for what it is, nice walk for kids; the minerals nice, interesting; the alligators - not much, other exhibits: ok, but nothing super. Nice view from the roof, but the weed garden and narrative- bleh (looks like my backyard (au naturel). Foucault pendulum is still there, but absent some of the kid-curiosity awakening posters. The building itself is new, high, open, multi-story and airy (compared to that of yesterday) . Shame the contents and presentation do not follow suit. Summary: pleasant afternoon but aftertaste was a feeling of having been taken advantage (think captive audience or pickpocket) Next time, go to the Exploratorium or De Young instead, even if repeating.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leah1907
Feb 23, 2024
Average - We came here as part of the city pass as it’s one of the museums you don’t really get a choice on, not sure it’s worth $40 entry alone. The Aquarium part was interesting enough and we went to the planetarium too but didn’t spend too long anywhere else really, it didn’t seem to have that many interesting things for us to spend longer than 2 hours there and glad we didn’t pay for entry outside of using the city pass as I think we’d have been disappointed
Review provided by Tripadvisor
James_g
Jan 23, 2024
Incorrect hours of operation - The tickets we received for Sunday January 21, indicated that the California Academy of Sciences was open from 9:30am to 5pm. We arrived at 10:15 and were told that it was members only until 11am. We had a toddler with us and begged them to let us in; they reluctantly let us in at 10:30. Will not use Viator again.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
April 2024
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