How To Get Here From Bart
It’s really easy to get here from BART.
From the East Bay: If you are coming from the East Bay, take BART to the Montgomery Street Station. Here, you will transfer over to the N Light Rail Line of Muni. Take this all the way to the stop at 9th Avenue and Irving. This will drop you off south of Golden Gate Park in the Inner Sunset District.
After you exit the train, walk north toward the park. Once you enter the park, you will be on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Take this to Music Concourse Drive and take a right. You will see the museum on your right.
The walk takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
From the Peninsula or South Bay: Take BART to the Glen Park Station. Here you will transfer to the 44 Bus at Bosworth and Diamond Streets.
Exit on 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way. You will then enter the park, walk along Martin Luther King Drive and take a right at Music Concourse Drive. You will then see this San Francisco science museum on your right.
Everything You Need To Plan Your Visit To The California Academy Of Sciences
How much is admission to the California Academy of Sciences? Where can I find tickets? Do they offer skip the line tickets? What days are tickets still available? Find answers to all of these here.
When is it open? How much time does the California Academy of Sciences take? When is the best time to visit?
When is it free?
The San Francisco Planetarium
This is a must-see for a visit to the Academy. The vast dome houses a state-of-the-art surround screen and comfortable seating for an amazing, out-of-body experience.
The films change periodically they are professionally done and very interesting.
Caveat:Best strategy:
Check the museum’s website for daily showings: Daily Calendar
Hohfeld Hall: another theater just inside the entryway of the planetarium shows short films on various subjects.
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How To Get Here From Fisherman’s Wharf
This route includes two buses that will take you within blocks of this San Francisco museum.
Bus #1: Pick up the 49 heading toward the Mission at the corner of North Point Street and Jones Street. Take this to the corner of Van Ness and McAllister.
Bus #2: You will then walk across McAllister Street to pick up the #5 Fulton on the northwest corner of this intersection.
Take this second bus to the stop at Fulton and 10th Avenue. You will then enter the park and walk until you reach John F. Kennedy Drive. Take a left on JFK Drive and then a right when you reach Music Concourse Drive. At this point, you should see the museum about a block away. There should also be signs at this intersection.
The walk takes less than 10 minutes from the bus stop.
Shadow Puppet Science Kit And Video
- Explore light and shadow as you build your very own shadow puppet using BADMs shadow puppet science kit. Each kit contains the template for a shadow puppet, laser cut in BADMs very own Try It Studio, plus a flashlight, decorative items and everything you need to create a shadow puppet performance.
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Rainforests Of The World: Four
I love starting my visit with a trip inside the Osher four-story rainforest. This large enclosure includes free flying butterflies and birds that live in different rainforests around the world.
Some of the other creatures you’ll see in the rainforest range from snakes to poisonous frogs. But don’t worry – all the animals accept the birds and butterflies are kept in their own separate homes.
Your visit starts on the ground level. You will slowly make your way up the circular walkways to the top of the rainforest. Each level teaches you about the plants, animals and climates of a specific rainforest.
Here are just a few close ups I was able to get of the beautiful butterflies in the rainforest.
Once you reach the top level of the rainforest, you will be directed to the elevators and head down into the Steinhart Aquarium. But first – check for butterflies to make sure you don’t accidently take any with you!
National Aids Memorial Grove
In the decades following the first reports of in the United States in 1981, Americans were overwhelmed with the devastation of the AIDS epidemic. In 1988 a few San Francisco residents belonging to communities hit hard by the AIDS epidemic envisioned a place of remembrance for those who had lost their lives to AIDS. They imagined a serene AIDS memorial where people could go to heal. Renovation for the began in September 1991 and continues today as communities are constantly working to improve it. Located at 856 Stanyan Street, in the eastern portion of Golden Gate Park, the Grove stretches across seven acres of land. In 1996, due to Nancy efforts, the National AIDS Memorial Grove Act was passed by Congress and the President of the United States, , which officially made those seven acres of Golden Gate Park the first AIDS memorial in the United States. Then in 1999, it earned the Rudy Bruner Silver Medal for excellence in the urban environment.
On November 30 an annual Light in the Grove fundraising gala is held in the Grove. This event, held on the eve of Worlds Aids Day, sells out each year and was voted Best Bay Area LGBT Fundraiser by Bay Area Reporter readers in 2015.
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Kimball Natural History Museum
Taking the tradition of scientific research further, The Kimball Natural History Museum allows you to learn about some of the most unique and significant discoveries and relevant issues of our time.
It is a step forward to make people aware of preserving our biodiversity and how to sustain it through their interactive exhibits and beautiful historical specimens like the 87-foot tall blue whale skeleton.
History Of The California Academy Of Sciences
This San Francisco science museum has a long history. It started in 1853 just three years after California became part of the United States. At that time, seven men put their work together to create the first collections for the museum.
Over the years, it grew and quickly become one of the best west coast museums.
However, the 1906 Earthquake and Fire destroyed everything on display in San Francisco. They were fortunate that a good amount of the collection was on display in the Galapagos. Once these pieces returned to San Francisco, it was the foundation for its new museum.
This San Francisco science museum found its home in Golden Gate Park in 1916 and began to blossom once again.
The next big earthquake in 1989 again damaged this museum. They had to close some of their exhibits permanently and had to rework others for the safety of their visitors. At this point, they also decided to rework the entire museum and created plans for one that was much bigger and better.
To keep this museum running, they relocated some of their exhibits downtown in 2003, which is where I first visited them.
They then reopened this amazing new space in September 2008, where they plan to stay and invite visitors for decades to come!
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Best San Francisco Museums For Kids
Do you want to take your kids out to a fun museum in San Francisco?
Although museums are usually not the first thing that comes to mind, there are some that kids will find interesting.
Weve had a look at the most engaging places to keep everyone busy.
And theyre much more interactive than the typical school teacher!
Here are the most fun museums we recommend in San Francisco if you have active kids.
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Are There Other Things To Do Nearby
Yes plenty! The California Academy of Sciences is located just south of Presidio Park and the Golden Gate Bridge, so there are a lot of options if you want to do some walking tours around San Francisco.
But youre also right in the middle of Golden Gate Park, one of the citys top attractions. In addition to this natural history and science museum, Golden Gate Park contains the San Francisco Botanical Gardens, Stow Lake, the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum, the Conservatory of Flowers, and much more .
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Nightlife At The California Academy Of Sciences
Combine California Academy of Sciences with other San Francisco favorites. Some things are better together.
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Introducing San Franciscos Top Science Museum
The California Academy of Sciences is a popular destination for families. This is the home, after all, of the discovery of Etmopterus benchleyi , named after Peter Benchley on the 40th anniversary of Jaws. But theres a lot more here than ocean life though thats definitely a big part of it.
You dont need to be a budding scientist to visit. Here are my top six reasons learning at the California Academy of Sciences is loads of fun for all ages.
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More Free Things To Do In San Francisco
In addition to these free museum admission days, here are a few other free things to check out during your stay in San Francisco.
Lombard Street: Have you heard about San Franciscos famous crooked street? Its called Lombard Street and its a fun place to check out during your visit. You can either walk or drive down this famous street with eight hairpin turns. For those walking, you will find a set of stairs on both sides where you can watch others as they try to maneuver around each turn. Learn more here.
Painted Ladies of Alamo Square: Another fun thing to do in San Francisco is to check out the famous Painted Ladies of Alamo Square. You will find them next to Alamo Square Park. They are six identical historic Victorians with a wonderful view of downtown SF behind them. Learn more about visiting here.
Street Art: One of the cool things about SF is that you will find street art all around town. My guide offers you details on where to find the best pieces and which neighborhoods have the largest concentration. Learn more here.
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California Academy Of Sciences Nightlife Admission Ticket
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How To Get Here From Union Square
Head to the underground Powell Muni Station .
Jump on the N Light Rail and take it to the stop at 9th and Irving. Walk north into the park. Stay on the street you entered on until you see Music Concourse Drive. Take a right here and you will see the museum on your right about a block away.
This walk takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
Sightseeing See More For Less
Make the most of your San Francisco holiday by spending less on admission to the Academy and other top attractions. Check out CityPASS, Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass, Big Bus Tours, and City Sightseeing for the best deals.
One easy CityPASS purchase saves 45% on admission to San Francisco’s top four attractions, including the Academy. Visit the attractions at your own pace, in any order, over a 9-day period. Save time and money with instant mobile ticket delivery.
Save up to 55% on admission to the Academy and 25 other top San Francisco attractions with a Go City San Francisco Pass.
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Free Museum Admission Days In San Francisco 2022
Many San Francisco museums offer free admission to their facilities at least once a month. During these days, you gain access to each museums permanent exhibits. Most of the monthly free admission days are on the first Sunday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of the month.
While some museums offer a free day every month, a handful of them offer free days just four to five times a year. These include the California Academy of Sciences and the Exploratorium.
For many of these free days, you are currently required to book your tickets in advance online before you arrive. This helps them manage their capacity.
Here is the general pattern of free days for each SF museum, in alphabetical order. You can also scroll down for a list of dates for each museum by month.
Summer Camp For Science
iD Tech One-and two-week sessions over the summer allow students ages 7-19 to be fully immersed in technology and science at UC Berkeley or St. Marys, among 150 world-class university locations. iD Tech offers a variety of camps: 3D Printing and Modeling Robotics and Visual Programming Build and Code Your Own Take-Home Laptop and many programming languages. Day camp and overnight camp are both available.Phone: 1-888-709-8324
More camps: See our comprehensive Summer Camp Guide for a great list of STEM camps > >
Thanks to iD Tech, the worlds #1 summer STEM program for ages 7-19, for sponsoring this guide to Bay Area science museums and experiences.
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High Museum Of Art Extension
The original building of the in , designed by , and inspired by the form of the in New York City of , opened in 1983. Pianos project added four new structures a pavilion for exhibitions, a gallery for special collections, a building for offices, and a residence hall for the Atlanta College Of Art, creating 16,000 meters of additional space. Both the new building and the original building are a gleaming white. A glass bridge with two levels connects the main pavilion with the original part of the museum. The careful management of external light is a particular feature of Pianos buildings the High Museum Extension rows of curving fan-shaped panels on the facade and on the interior ceiling with filter the sunlight. From the parvis on the outside, the white facade gives the impression that the building has no weight at all.
Penguins + Pajamas Sleepover
Have you ever imagined sleeping beside an albino alligator or a colorful coral reef? Penguins+Pajamas is the perfect way to experience just that. This program is an overnight Academy adventure, perfect for families with children between the ages of five and 17. A night at the museum Sleepovers includes an overnight stay in an exhibit area, live animal presentations, private planetarium showings, late access to Osher Rainforest, next-day admission to the Academy, and much more.
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Albino Alligators And Footie Pajamas Just Go Together Wait What
Thats right. If youll be in San Francisco for a couple days, youve got time for an overnight adventure at the California Academy of Sciences.
You can sign up to sleep next to exhibits like the The Swamp, home to Claude, the albino alligator. The best science sleepover youve ever had includes live animal presentations, a planetarium show, and admission to the Academy the next day so the fun doesnt stop after breakfast. Its educational for kids and something the whole family can enjoy together way beyond your usual vacation experience.
Asian Art Museum: Best For Asian Culture
The most comprehensive collection of Asian art outside Asia covers 6000 years of history and thousands of miles of terrain. A trip through the galleries is a treasure-hunting expedition, from cutting-edge Japanese minimalism and seductive Hindu temple carvings to a jewel-box gallery of lustrous Chinese jade just dont bump into those priceless Ming vases!
The museums displays follow the evolution and migration of Asian art from West to East, along with Buddhist pilgrimage trails and trade routes toward San Francisco. If youre tight on time, follow the mapped trail of masterworks parents can pick up Explorer Cards for kids to find favorite animals and characters in the galleries.
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De Young Museum: Best For Globe
The de Youngs camouflaged, oxidized green exterior barely hints at the fantastic range of artistic wonders within. Exhibitions here boldly broaden artistic horizons, from ceremonial masks from Oceania and trippy hippie handmade fashions to James Turrells domed Skyspace installation, built into a hill in the sculpture garden.
Featuring African masks and Turkish kilims alongside California crafts and avant-garde American art, this cross-cultural collection has been expanding minds for a century. Rotating main-floor installations are riveting and diverse, from early Inuit carvings to documentary photography from US prisons. Access to the Osher Sculpture Garden is free, as is the 144ft observation tower with its 360-degree viewing room.
What Is The Dress Code For Their Nightlife Event
There is no strict dress code for the California Academy of Science’s Nightlife event. You will find most people in nice jeans and a dress shirt. You will also find many people in business casual dress including dresses or nice pants.
It is chilly on this side of San Francisco most of the year, so bring along a jacket or a light sweater for the event. You will need it as you enter and leave.
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