California Academy of Sciences
Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, a four-story rainforest, natural-history halls, and active laboratories make the Academy a scientific campus rather than a single museum.
Artwork inspired by Ruth Asawa
Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, a four-story rainforest, natural-history halls, and active laboratories make the Academy a scientific campus rather than a single museum. The green roof and earthquake-conscious building extend the environmental argument into architecture. California Academy of Sciences becomes easier to read when founded (1853), building (2008), and setting (Golden Gate Park) are held together rather than treated as disconnected labels.
Reserve the planetarium on arrival, then trace one ecosystem from live habitat to specimen, research story, and climate pressure. Tickets are date-priced, planetarium seating is limited, and the rainforest closes earlier than the building; Thursday night programming is adults-only.
- Founded
- 1853
- Building
- 2008
- Setting
- Golden Gate Park
Quick guide
- Anchor the visit
- Reserve the planetarium on arrival, then trace one ecosystem from live habitat to specimen, research story, and climate pressure.
- Test that view
- Compare living roof with rainforest dome, then use Steinhart Aquarium to test what the site is trying to communicate.
Know before you go
- Anchor the visit
- Reserve the planetarium on arrival, then trace one ecosystem from live habitat to specimen, research story, and climate pressure.
- Test that view
- Compare living roof with rainforest dome, then test that reading against Steinhart Aquarium.
- Place in context
- Founded: 1853; Building: 2008; Setting: Golden Gate Park
- Plan the arrival
- For California Academy of Sciences, use the reviewed visitor entrance at 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118. Before visiting California Academy of Sciences, check current parking.
Good to know
Tickets are date-priced, planetarium seating is limited, and the rainforest closes earlier than the building; Thursday night programming is adults-only.
Notice these
- living roof
- rainforest dome
- Steinhart Aquarium