California Academy of Sciences – Insider Tips

Visit Smarter - San Francisco’s Aquarium and Natural History Museum

Aug 16, 2009 Christine E. Taylor

Get the most of your visit to the California Academy of Sciences. Here are insider tips to enhance your trip to San Francisco's aquarium and natural science center.

San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences focuses on ecology and the natural world as a whole. They describe themselves as “an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a 4-story rainforest all under one roof.” At $25 a ticket, you’ll want to get the most out of your visit.

Morrison Planetarium, Bugs 3D Movie and Rainforest Exhibit

The Academy’s planetarium show and Bugs! 3D movie are both included with your ticket, but passes are quickly distributed (especially for the planetarium). Immediately upon entry, head to one of the pass stand on the first floor to get your planetarium pass, and then to the second floor to get your Bugs! 3D pass. Otherwise, you may be stuck with a late entry time, or you may miss out altogether.

The extremely popular 4-story rainforest opens at 10am (even on members’ mornings), and the line usually begins forming well before that. Typically, plan to wait at least 20-30 minutes in a line before your entry to this part of the Academy. Also, be aware that the exhibit is hot and humid, so wear layers of clothing that can be removed. Consider wearing bright colors to attract the many butterflies that populate the top floor.

Lunch at the Academy of Sciences

The food at the Academy Café is high-quality and imaginative, but expensive, crowded and noisy during peak times. You are welcome to bring your own food to enjoy in the Academy’s indoor or outdoor seating. Alternately, take a break from the museum at lunchtime: get a re-entry hand-stamp upon exiting, and then walk to 9th Avenue for lunch. Several restaurants are located about 1/2 mile from the museum just south of Golden Gate Park.

To reach a number of reasonably-priced and well-reviewed restaurants, walk out of the Academy, turn left to MLK Drive, then continue walking south (left) on MLK until it becomes 9th Ave. Good choices include: Pacific Catch (1200 9th Ave.), Park Chow (1240 9th Ave.), Park Gyros (1201 9th Ave.) and Kiki Japanese (1269 9th Ave.). After lunch, head back to the museum and show your hand stamp for readmission.

California Academy of Sciences: More Insider Tips

Every third Wednesday of the month, the Academy offers free admission. Unless this is the only way you can afford to visit the museum, avoid it. The crowds are immense, and it is very difficult to appreciate the exhibits.
The live penguins are located in the African Hall, rather than the aquarium as many first-time visitors expect.
The first-floor restrooms are frequently busy. Head up the adjacent stairs to the second floor for a quicker bathroom break.

The California Academy of Sciences is one of San Francisco’s most popular attractions. Remember to get your complimentary planetarium and Bugs 3D show passes as soon as you enter; be prepared for a long wait and a hot visit to the Academy’s rainforest; and consider a lunch break on 9th Ave. to get maximum enjoyment of this one-of-a-kind natural science center and aquarium. Find out how to beat the crowds at the Academy.

The copyright of the article California Academy of Sciences – Insider Tips in SW U.S./Hawaii Travel is owned by Christine E. Taylor. Permission to republish California Academy of Sciences – Insider Tips in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Calfornia Academy of Sciences African Hall	California Academy of Sciences' Living Roof	California Academy of Science Rainforest
Live penguins at San Francisco Science Center	Steinhart Aquarium: over 900 species at Academ