California Academy of Sciences
About This Spot
A natural history museum, aquarium, planetarium, and rainforest all under one living roof in Golden Gate Park. The four-story rainforest dome and the penguin feeding are kid favorites.
What to Expect
Parent Tips
Get there right at opening for smaller crowds. The rainforest dome line gets long — do it first. Free days for SF residents quarterly (check website). Penguin feeding is at 10:30 AM and 3 PM.
Local Insider Tips
Family Reviews
"Four attractions in one - we spent the entire day and didn't see everything. The rainforest dome is magical."
— SF parent
"Expensive but worth it for a special day out. The penguin feeding had my kids mesmerized."
— Local parent
"Perfect rainy day activity. My toddler loved the aquarium tunnels and my 8-year-old was obsessed with the planetarium."
— Parent review
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Mon–Sat 9:30 AM–5 PM, Sun 11 AM–5 PM
Golden Gate Park
Museums & Learning
(415) 379-8000
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