1 / 2California Academy of Sciences
📍 Golden Gate Park, CA
The California Academy of Sciences houses the Steinhart Aquarium, a four-story Osher Rainforest dome with free-flying butterflies, the Morrison Planetarium, and natural history exhibits-all inside Golden Gate Park.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for school-age kids and curious families who can spend 3-4 hours working through all four attractions. Toddlers engage well with the aquarium touch pools and rainforest animals. The planetarium show has age minimums for some programs-check the daily schedule. Thursday NightLife events are strictly 21+.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →5,941 Google reviews
G Reviews from Google
Vinnz Zee
5 months ago
“Great rain forest butterfly exhibit. Bring your EBT card it’s $5 up to four tickets per visit. The aquatic section was very nice”
Fab S
5 months ago
“Expensive but fun and informative! Especially the aquarium is very cool. Not crowded at all during off peak time / season.”
Jan Gillanders
5 months ago
“Fabulous aquarium, planitarium, rainforest dome, rooftop garden. Excellent for all ages.”
💬 What parents mention
Overview
The Academy packs four world-class attractions into one building: Steinhart Aquarium features a 212,000-gallon Philippine Coral Reef tank among dozens of other exhibits; the Osher Rainforest is a glass dome with live tropical animals and free-flying butterflies across four levels; Morrison Planetarium projects onto the world's largest all-digital dome; and the natural history galleries span biodiversity and Earth science. The living roof supports native plants and birds.
