California Academy of Sciences Tickets: how to buy and prices
To complete your trip with a touch of science, culture and curiosities, visit the world-famous San Francisco Academy of Sciences.
California Academy of Sciences | ©Dennis Jarvis
Can you imagine entering a museum that houses an aquarium, a planetarium, a tropical forest and a natural history museum under the same roof? That's the California Academy of Sciences, a curious and unique place in the world that you can't miss during a trip to San Francisco. I'll tell you how to get tickets!
San Francisco California Academy of Sciences Tickets
Book your ticket to the California Academy of Sciences and don't waste time waiting in line.
You will have priority access and will be able to visit all the museum's exhibitions and discover the aquarium, the rainforest and the planetarium.
If you are one of those who enjoy stopping at each exhibition and enjoy the museums at your own pace, don't miss out on your fast pass tickets to the San Francisco Academy of Natural Sciences. You'll explore every room and see every finding in an interactive way in what is considered one of the largest natural science museums in the world.
Discover the Morrison Planetarium, the Great Rainforest or the Steinhart Aquarium. Here you can discover thousands of species of animals, plants and minerals. Undoubtedly, a perfect plan for those who enjoy investigating nature and the environment.
Recommended if... You are curious about the natural world and want to lose yourself among the large installations of a museum that will be enjoyed by young and old alike.
The cheapest ticket: online and in advance to skip the lines
With over 150 years of history, the California Academy of Sciences is a museum created to explore and care for the natural world.
It is an extraordinary place full of interesting collections that study the Earth's biodiversity, the different ecosystems that exist, climate change or minerals among many other topics and it does it not only from the point of view of a traditional museum through exhibitions but also in an interactive way, bringing you closer to the aquariums or aviaries to see the animals that live in the museum such as the African penguins or the albino alligator Claude.
The California Academy of Sciences is a fantastic museum to spend an afternoon at, both for its curious exhibitions and for the complex itself, which was designed by the renowned architect Renzo Piano and whose peculiar structure attracts a lot of attention because it doesn't really look like a museum but a kind of zoo.
So if you are curious about nature and the environment, I recommend you to get this skip-the-line ticket to the California Academy of Sciences to visit the museum. With it you will have direct access to its facilities and you will be able to visit all its rooms at your leisure, enjoying the different shows, exhibits and creatures that live there.
At night
If you are interested in the plan and don't know what to do one of your nights in San Francisco, you also have the option of buying tickets to the Academy of Sciences to see the different exhibitions at night. In addition to the general tour, you can visit the Nightlife of the Living Day and the different shows that the museum offers at night.
The most complete ticket: visit the California Academy of Sciences with an expert guide.
Located in the heart of Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is one of the largest natural history museums in the world with a collection of over 46 million specimens spread over several floors.
With these credentials, you may not know exactly where to start and how to approach your visit. In that case, don't worry, because if you are one of those people who most enjoy a museum is with a guide who will explain in detail all the exhibits you see during the tour and tell you fun anecdotes, the best option is to choose to take a guided tour of the California Academy of Sciences.
It is the most complete way to get to know the California Academy of Sciences! Not only will you get a guided tour of the museum with your guide and your companions (for a totally personalised experience), but this ticket also gives you VIP access to the Osher Earthquake and Rainforest Simulator as well as exclusive access to collections and areas of the museum that are normally only accessible to museum staff. Cool, right?
Plus, this ticket to the California Academy of Sciences also includes a reserved seat at the Morrison Planetarium and skip-the-line entry to the Rain Forests of the World exhibition. In short, you'll visit a museum like never before!
How much does admission to the California Academy of Sciences cost?
If you want to visit the museum on your own, you can book a skip-the-line ticket to the California Academy of Sciences, which costs around 33 euros.
However, for a little more, I recommend you buy your tickets for a guided tour of the museum as you will be able to take an exclusive tour for small groups (maximum 6 people) and the experience becomes much more intimate and complete.
Are there any discounts for the California Academy of Sciences?
If you buy tickets for the guided tour of the California Academy of Sciences you will get a 10% discount in the shops and restaurants of the museum.
On the other hand, if you have bought any of the San Francisco tourist cards and you want to go to the California Academy of Sciences you are in luck because both the San Francisco City Pass and the Go San Francisco Card and San Francisco Explorer Pass include the visit.
To know more about the San Francisco tourist cards I advise you to read the post San Francisco Pass and other passes.
Is it worth taking a guided tour of the California Academy of Sciences?
Absolutely. Taking a guided tour of the California Academy of Sciences will give you a much more intimate experience inside the museum as you will have the assistance of a professional guide just for you and your companions.
Touring the halls of a museum and seeing the different exhibitions is very entertaining, but you will get much more out of the visit if you do it in the company of a guide who will explain everything you see, answer your questions and tell you interesting facts about the species that live in the complex. Besides, there is no doubt that it is much more fun and instructive.
How much time do I need to visit the California Academy of Sciences?
Guided tours of the California Academy of Sciences usually last about 45 minutes, but if you really like the subject matter and want to take a closer look at an exhibit, an hour and a half may be enough.
Opening hours of the California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is open:
- Monday through Saturday 9:30 AM to 5 PM.
- Sundays from 11 AM to 5 PM.
What will I see at the California Academy of Sciences?
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Steinhart Aquarium: This aquarium is one of the most diverse in the world, housing more than 40,000 live animals (fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects...) and offering a unique look at little-known terrestrial and marine habitats.
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Morrison Planetarium: This is the world's largest digital planetarium, which focuses its exhibits on the latest findings and theories about the universe. I recommend you to attend their shows because they are amazing.
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Rainforest: You can visit an authentic rainforest spread over four floors that will transport you to some of the most impressive ecosystems on Earth and where more than 1,600 animals (birds, butterflies, amphibians, bats and reptiles) live freely inside the museum's spectacular glass dome.
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Kimball Museum of Natural History: This is one of the most amazing parts of the museum where you can see the huge skeletons of a great blue whale or a tyrannosaurus rex. It also has very interesting exhibitions on the evolution of life on the planet and its preservation.
Can I go with children to the California Academy of Sciences?
Of course you can! Although it is a museum, the tour is very interactive, so children will have a great time seeing a multitude of animals up close and will be amazed by the shows that are organised.
In short, the California Academy of Sciences is a highly recommended place to enjoy a family plan and for the kids to have fun while learning about nature and our planet.
Frequently asked questions
What can you do at the California Academy of Sciences?
The California Academy of Sciences is actually made up of four different exhibits and areas. It has an aquarium, the Planetarium, the Rainforest and the Natural History Museum, so there are plenty of things to see and do.
How long does it take to see the California Academy of Sciences in its entirety?
While you can get a brief overview in less than 2 hours, the best advice is to set aside 3-4 hours to really get a feel for the academy, this includes seeing the planetarium show and check-out and both the aquarium and rainforest.
Are there any special events being held at the California Academy of Sciences?
The Cal Academy organises special exhibitions, concerts and other events such as concerts and parties, so be sure to check the calendar of events to make the most of your visit.