California Academy of Sciences
San Francisco · Golden Gate Park · Science, Natural history, Aquarium
Aquarium, planetarium, rainforest dome and natural history museum under one living roof in Golden Gate Park.
Good to know: Closed Wed, Oct 21, 2026 for a private event; closes at 3pm Sat, Oct 24.
Free days
No regular public free day. Ages 2 and under free daily; EBT cardholders $5 (Museums for All); free for veterans/military on Veterans Day and during Fleet Week; Discover & Go library passes. Old Neighborhood Free Days no longer run.
Know before you go
- Admission
Paid, dynamic: Adult (19+) $49/$55 peak, Youth 13–18 $45/$49, Child 3–12 $39/$45, 2 and under free; EBT $5
✓ Verified on calacademy.org · checked Oct 4, 2026
- Free days & hours
No regular public free day. Ages 2 and under free daily; EBT cardholders $5 (Museums for All); free for veterans/military on Veterans Day and during Fleet Week; Discover & Go library passes. Old Neighborhood Free Days no longer run.
✓ Verified on calendar.calacademy.org · checked Oct 4, 2026
- Reservations
Advance tickets recommended (esp. weekends); planetarium passes required, reserved on arrival via QR; no child under 4 in planetarium
✓ Verified on calacademy.org · checked Oct 4, 2026
- Hours
Mon–Sat 9:30am–5pm; Sun 11am–5pm; Thu NightLife 21+ 6–10pm
✓ Verified on calacademy.org · checked Oct 4, 2026
- Closed
No weekly closure. Closed Wed Oct 21, 2026 for a private event; closes at 3pm Sat Oct 24, 2026 (SuperNatural). Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
✓ Verified on calacademy.org · checked Oct 4, 2026
- Parking
Music Concourse Garage (Fulton St/10th Ave or MLK Dr entrances); free street parking on MLK Dr, Nancy Pelosi Dr, Blue Heron Lake Dr; $3 off with same-day transit fare
✓ Verified on calacademy.org · checked Oct 4, 2026
- Kids
Exhibits designed with kids in mind; family sleepovers; planetarium not for under 4
✓ Verified on calacademy.org · checked Oct 4, 2026
- Accessibility
Fully wheelchair accessible
✓ Verified on calacademy.org · checked Oct 4, 2026
- Address
55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118
✓ Verified on calacademy.org · checked Oct 4, 2026
Map location from OpenStreetMap.
Free days, hours and prices change often, and museums close for installations and private events. Always confirm on the museum's own site before you go. Information only; Orca Travel Collection isn't affiliated with these museums.
Information only. Free days, hours and prices change; confirm with each museum before you go. Data: each museum's official website, balboapark.org and OpenStreetMap · Facts checked Oct 4, 2026 · Map © OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.