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California Academy of Sciences


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 3.0 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #223 of 640 attractions in San Francisco
Traveler Description:
The California Academy of Sciences is a world-class scientific and cultural institution based in San Francisco. The Academy's new facility in Golden...... more » The California Academy of Sciences is a world-class scientific and cultural institution based in San Francisco. The Academy's new facility in Golden Gate Park houses an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum and a 4-story rain forest all under one living roof. The new facility is also home to the Academy's staff of world-class scientists, an education department that provides a wide range of student and teacher services, and an extensive science library with over 20 million specimens and artifacts. « less
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Attraction type: Science museum, Aquarium, Educational site, Natural history museum, Observatory/planetarium
Activities: Arts and crafts, Leisure education
Address: 55 Concourse Drive
Golden Gate Park San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel: 415-379-8000
Fax: 415 750 7530

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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5 of 5 stars
MelissaofLaMesa   2 contributions
La Mesa
Nov 28, 2009

We visited last week and had a great time. We arrived shortly after it opened and stayed a full five hours. Our six year-old and sixteen month-old both enjoyed it. My husband loved the planetarium too. The living roof was incredible. This is a definite must see for people with kids or those who love science. You should arrive early,... more

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4 of 5 stars
levado   38 contributions
Geneva, Switzerland
Nov 13, 2009

This is a fantastic museum. First thing to do is book your seat for the show in the Planetarium where a film projected onto the ceiling tells the story of the Earth, Sun and the Universe. You are plunged into total darkness with just the planets spinning around above you - eery! Fascinating, and with some special effects which might... more

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5 of 5 stars
GuySF   2 contributions
San Francisco
Nov 7, 2009

From the top (roof deck) to the bottom (awesome aquarium) this is a place you must take time to see whether you are a local or a visitor - you'll want to be after checking out this museum which turns into a social scene on Th nights for Nightlife. The planetarium has an awesome show which I recommend checking out.... more

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1 of 5 stars
valley48   1 contribution
fresno
Oct 24, 2009

After making a three hour trip to san francisco we attempted to visit this museum while exploring the city. The center was closed for renovations. I made the drive with my daughter and grandbaby who are visiting from out of state. We arrived at 230 fully expecting to have time to view museum. We were turned away due to closing... more

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3 of 5 stars
ChknBayArea_CA   1 contribution
Bay Area, CA
Oct 15, 2009

My 18 month old & I made our 2nd visit today. Great fun as she ran from viewing window to viewing window, excitedly pointing at the fish, turtles, and jelly fish. A few tips specific to families with young children: - Cafeteria staff is super helpful. They will carry your tray while you carry your child, bring your food to... more

Worthwhile
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4 of 5 stars
bunkhedena   38 contributions
Westchester County, New York
Sep 30, 2009

My wife and I and our 15 year old daughter spent half of a weekday in mid-August at the Academy of Sciences. The museum has an aquarium, rain forest and planetarium show. The aquarium had the most detailed presentation. The rain forest was pretty good, because you walked up a ramp and were able to see different sections of the... more

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5 of 5 stars
dselvan   169 contributions
Warrington, United Kingdom
Sep 20, 2009

Based at the golden gate park, this is one of the highlights of our visit. There is so much to do with some very informative shows such as 'fragile earth' which is in the dome shaped theatre with the projection to the roof which make it look like you are flying around!!!! There is different areas around such as the... more

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4 of 5 stars
jdglek   14 contributions
Ottawa, Canada
Sep 10, 2009
1
person found this review helpful

We visited the California Academy of Sciences on Tues., Sep. 1st after I had read all the reviews and made note of all the tips given. Couldn't have done it without the research! Overall, we enjoyed the experience very much. We knew not to go on a designated free day for SF residents, a weekend or before the school children... more

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5 of 5 stars
chbj   4 contributions
SF Bay Area
Sep 4, 2009

The new Academy of Sciences is an amazing building with great exhibits. Our family has been there many times and it is sooooo much better than the old, dark, dated building. Our son loves all the interactive exhibits and the lagoon with the sharks and rays. The food selection at the cafe is great and the food is very good... more

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2 of 5 stars
JohnCinSF   4 contributions
San Francisco, California
Aug 25, 2009
1
person found this review helpful

I have very fond memories of the old Academy. From childhood on into my 40s, I'd visited literally hundreds of times, practically memorized every fascinating exhibit, loved each visit and each addition to the whole, and then shared those trips with my own children as we wandered those wonderful old halls together. We even visited the 4+ year "temporary" SOMA... more

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California Academy of Sciences Address

55 Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel: 415-379-8000 Fax: 415 750 7530