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California Academy of Sciences

Science Museum, Planetarium, and Aquarium

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

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9.3^/10

3,753

ratings

Ranked #2 for DJs in San Francisco
The experts at SF Weekly and SFist recommend this place
"Every Thursday night: DJs, geeky lectures, and drinks... oh my!"(37 Tips)
"A beautiful aquarium along with the tropical rainforest tour."(36 Tips)
"The planetarium and butterfly exhibit where our favorites."(15 Tips)
"Be sure to visit the Planetarium & the Living Roof!"(11 Tips)

466 Tips and reviews

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rainforest
thursday night
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MeowSeptember 15, 2014
This place is amazing! There's so many exhibits. I recommend going to the planetarium. It's the largest digital planetarium.
Catriona HunterJune 30, 2016
Been here 5+ times
The pendulum clock is mesmerising. Contains aquarium, rain-forest, planetarium, penguins, earth-quake zone and Claude the albino alligator, among other things.
Sheena WongSeptember 25, 2012
Been here 100+ times
Pick up a map and a daily schedule, but take only what you need to save paper :) read signs and pay attention to your surroundings; information both printed and spoken is everywhere~
Christina M DillonSeptember 26, 2011
Wonderful science and nature museum. Lots of interesting animals, exhibits, and planetarium show. The architecture alone is worth the visit.
Nathan LeeApril 6, 2018
The aquarium is well-designed, and the living rainforest is really cool!
EmmaFebruary 22, 2015
Lovely place. The botanic garden and aquarium are my favorites. Visually stunning and dazzling.
Fi VeiNovember 9, 2015
An amazing museum with a lot of activities, you need almost a whole day to do everything!
Sam SabriJuly 5, 2016
Visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Melody ScottJanuary 7, 2017
Be sure to get your planetarium tickets first so you get into the show you want
Shiva ShankarJuly 8, 2016
Variety of fishes and rare white crocodile and rain forest theme inside the glass
Valeria BornsteinJune 8, 2011
Been here 100+ times
go to nightlife!!! its thursdays from 6-10! everything is open and its only half price! no kids and cash bar! different themes and performances every week. Check the website before you go for details Read more
Sarah TrottJuly 8, 2019
Been here 10+ times
Don’t miss the rainforest exhibit
Violet BlueSeptember 16, 2011
Been here 5+ times
Thursday nightlife: fab DJ's, bars on all levels, strange hands-on science exhibits, great food, always something flirty and fun. Go!
JimMarch 27, 2016
Excellent museum. Go, and bring the kids. They don't have to be your kids.
Vickye WongJuly 31, 2019
What a different place it is now from when it opened, so many years ago. The entrance price has gone up, the place is not kept well and the live fish look sick. Monterey Bay Aqurium does better!
Romit BhattacharyaSeptember 28, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Nightlife on Thursday nights is the best! DJs playing cool music, good food, and interesting exhibits!
Vickram PhulariApril 21, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Dont miss the Morrison planetarium shows .. Especially the dark matter show .. And the universe show ... They all are amazing ...
CamiliaJune 19, 2019
A lot of things to see. Member night..not crowded.
BingFebruary 6, 2012
After some culture, take in some nature. Here’s a trail map to find your way to the park’s coolest spots: http://binged.it/wkEw2R
Ramani NatarajanJune 8, 2014
Awesome science exhibits. And a great setting for the museum. Reminds me is the Museum Campus in Chicago.
Ryan BlockMay 15, 2017
What a great place to explore and learn something new. Very focused on the earth and animals.
JennyMay 31, 2015
The rainforest is super cool. Also I hear good things about the planetarium but have only gone for nightlife (Thurs, $12, 21+) and am always late.
ecomaginationApril 20, 2011
The LEED Platinum-certified CAS is considered the greenest museum in the world for its mix of solar panels, radiant floor heating, recycled denim insulation & one of the coolest green roofs we've seen
KrystylMarch 5, 2012
Been here 10+ times
Get the individual membership for $99. Its good for you plus a guest for as many times as you want to visit in a year! Totally worth it!
Leo KimMarch 21, 2016
Beautiful exhibits. But, on a rainy Monday on spring break with no other museums open, this place is a shitshow.
Arthur ChangJuly 26, 2013
Been here 25+ times
DJ in the cafe today is really good. It's nice to have a legit DJ once in awhile these days.
PoojaSeptember 1, 2014
Informative exhibits. Earthquake simulation was nice, so was planetarium. Good cafe.
Taylor LeeJuly 10, 2018
The perfect place to take the whole family - the rainforest exhibit at the museum is my favorite.
John (aka “PHATFoodFan”)July 8, 2019
Check out the flamboyant cuttlefish! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzms0NRDzl6/?igshid=6o1f5mkieaeg
LilyMarch 4, 2015
Pricey admission but lots of interesting exhibits. Worth it if you see the whole place
Maya BorguetaOctober 21, 2016
Went for Nightlife (yoga night!) and loved doing yoga in front of the penguins. Sad that I arrived *just* too late to get in on space yoga though.
Benedict CorpuzNovember 15, 2011
Been here 10+ times
Go for an annual membership for only $99. You can bring a goes in with you for free. The $99 is tax deductible.
Greg WohlenbergOctober 13, 2010
Since reopening in 2008 this has dominated the science museum scene in San Francisco. Everything about it is wonderful, spend a couple of days if possible.
TerraTopiaMay 15, 2011
"The only place on the planet with an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a 4-story rainforest all under one roof."
Sarah AmbrosekJune 22, 2014
The Pho in the cafe is really really good! And I like Pho!
Samantha McDuffeeJanuary 14, 2012
When you go to the thursday night events, head straight for thr planetarium and get there early for tickets. And the rainforest line closes at 7:30. So much fun!
Westfield San Francisco CentreJuly 10, 2012
Come see San Francisco in a whole new light under the dome at Westfield San Francisco Centre. Our FREE 3D light spectacular starts every night at 5pm! For more info visit us on Facebook!
Alisa DuncanApril 29, 2010
Been here 100+ times
Best time to go is the late afternoon about two hours before closing. The birds and butterflies in the rainforest are usually going crazy at that time, and no lines!!
Stephanie EscobarOctober 27, 2015
The planetarium is fantastic as is the aquarium level
Mishell PaulinoJune 5, 2013
Planetarium, natural history museum, rainforest habitat, aquarium, and the famous "living roof".
Keith Richardson IIFebruary 26, 2016
Great place to go to on a first date
Molly BagbyDecember 1, 2014
Make sure you go up to the Living Roof at sunset!
Bete PessoaJune 14, 2015
The planetarium it's amazing and the rainforest is a must!!!
Jessica TaylorJune 17, 2016
Go for nightlife, everything is the Sam but cheaper and less crowed. 21+ only
Isabel SimóOctober 5, 2013
You can visit on thursday afternoon, take a drink and see the movie at planetarium.
Paul SolisAugust 29, 2013
Get the planetarium tickets as soon as you get in. Shows are very popular and therefore very crowded
Margie BAugust 12, 2016
What a great idea to have an after-hours adults-only event. Well done!
Scott HAugust 27, 2014
Been here 25+ times
If you live in the city, have kids, and don't have a membership; you're doing it wrong.
Ailie ChangNovember 11, 2017
Come Thursday Nights! The aquarium was the best part.
Lesly SimmonsDecember 16, 2010
The Planetarium is a must do. Get tix as soon as you arrive as you might have a wait to get in of an hour or more.

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