California Academy of Sciences: Tickets and Tours

San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences is a mind-boggling complex of four museums that explore nearly every branch of science.

From the structure’s living roof to the aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and rainforest within, a visit to the Academy will fill you with wonder. Discover for yourself with California Academy of Sciences tickets.

Check out our detailed guide on the California Academy of Sciences, one of the most exciting museums in San Francisco.

What are the prices of California Academy of Sciences tickets?

An entry ticket to the California Academy of Sciences admits you to the Steinhart Aquarium, the Morrison Planetarium, the Osher Rainforest and the Kimball Natural History Museum. Price ranges depend on the time of day and year.

• Adult ticket: US$37 to US$47 per person
• Youth ticket (3-17): US$30 to US$32 per person
• Student (18+ with ID): US$33 to US$36 per person
• Seniors (65+ with ID): US$33 US$36 per person
  

Who is eligible for discounts?

As part of the Museums for All Cooperative, EBT/Cal-Fresh/WIC/Medi-Cal/Lifeline Pass benefit holders may purchase daytime or NightLife entry tickets for US$3 per person.

Active military members receive a US$3 discount with a valid military ID. As a part of the museum’s green initiative, earn a US$3 per person discount on tickets if you arrive on foot, bike or public transit.

Can I visit for free?

Through the Discover and Go Program, cardholders for more than 40 libraries in Northern California can check out day passes for the California Academy of Sciences.

Check the museum’s website for additional free days. Select Sundays throughout the year are free thanks to a corporate sponsor.

Should I book in advance?

Booking tickets to the California Academy of Sciences in advance is wise on weekends and during school holidays. While discounted tickets are not available on-line, purchasing tickets early guarantees your entry.

Buying tickets in advance through tour providers offers skip-the-line tickets for the same price as general admission tickets at the door.

What are the best California Academy of Sciences ticket packages?

Snap up skip-the-line tickets for general admission or NightLife through tour providers to save precious vacation time.

General tickets cost around US$40 per adult, US$30 per child and US$34 per student or senior with ID. NightLife ticket packages cost around US$25 per person.

What will you see there?

Osher Rainforest

Encased in a four-story glass biosphere is an entire jungle ecosystem waiting for you to encounter.

Built to mimic a real rainforest, walk among free-flying insects and birds, reptiles camouflaged in the underbrush, dazzling tropical flowers and towering trees that house countless species.

The Osher Rainforest shelters 1,600 live species in its dome. At each of the four levels, inspect the different types of life that make their homes there. The lowest level affords you an underwater look at a flooded Amazonian forest.

Approach the aquarium tank walls for a peek into a biome that most people never see.

Steinhart Aquarium

The Academy’s Steinhart Aquarium first opened in 1923 and has been a pioneer in the field since then. Nearly 40,000 live animals inhabit the space, offering learning opportunities for researchers and visitors alike.

The aquarium’s exhibits recreate diverse environments. Spy a Philippine coral reef, a swamp, South African shoreline, a deep reef and the underwater landscape of Northern California.

Don’t miss a swamp talk with a chance to see Claude the alligator or a penguin feeding session.

Morrison Planetarium

Experience the world’s largest all-digital planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences. Sit back and absorb the exciting images projected onto the planetarium’s 23-meter-high dome ceiling.

Shows change monthly with several presentations per day. Take a closer look at our own planet, fly to others in our solar system and venture into the vast realms beyond our galaxy.

Kimball Natural History Museum

Delve into the story of life over the millennia at the Kimball Natural History Museum’s array of permanent and temporary exhibitions. Marvel at the skeletons of some of the earth’s largest inhabitants to the interactions of a bacteria colony.

Learn about how humans have evolved over millennia, how the planet’s heat and pressure formed brilliant crystals and why color is essential for life on earth.

Where is the California Academy of Sciences located?

The California Academy of Sciences is located at the eastern end of Golden Gate Park in western San Francisco. Reach the park easily by public transit, bike or car.

To reach the Academy by public transit, you can take BART trains from many points in the city and change to MUNI bus. BART trains do not stop within walking distance of the museum, but frequent buses make the connection easy.

If you are coming from the East Bay area, exit the BART train at Montgomery Street Station and catch the 5 Fulton MUNI bus at Market St./Sansome St. Walk 5 minutes to the Academy.

From the Peninsula, exit the BART train at Glen Park Station and take the 44 O’Shaughnessy MUNI bus at Bosworth St./Diamond St. Descend at Music Concourse Dr. in front of the museum.

For bike and car directions, see the museum’s website or Google maps to help you plan your route from your accommodations.

What are the opening times?

The California Academy of Sciences is open 365 days a year. Daytime public hours are from 9:30AM to 5PM on Mondays through Saturdays and from 11PM to 5PM on Sundays. Thursday NightLife hours are from 6 to 10PM.

Osher Rainforest hours are from 10AM to 4:45PM on Mondays through Saturdays and from 11AM to 4:45PM on Sundays. For daily programming at the Morrison Planetarium, check the event calendar on the museum’s website. Reservations are required.

When is the best time to visit the California Academy of Sciences?

The best time to visit the museum is on weekday afternoons. The recommended visit time for the Academy is from 2 to 4 hours. Weekends and school holidays tend to be very crowded.

Which other museums can be visited in San Francisco?

• Walt Disney Family Museum
• Museum of Modern Art
• Exploratorium
• Madame Tussauds
• De Young Museum
• Legion of Honor
• Museum of 3D Illusions

Travel tips

• Book your tickets early for lower prices.
• Morrison Planetarium shows are by reservation only and operate on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Children under the age of 7 are not recommended to attend planetarium shows.
• To enter NightLife events, you must be 21 or older with ID.