The California Academy of Sciences brings four museums together under one roof, giving visitors in San Francisco, California the rare chance to explore an aquarium, a rainforest, a planetarium, and a natural history museum without ever stepping outside. Guests can watch fish glide through the Philippine Coral Reef, climb through a humid rainforest canopy alive with birds and butterflies, then settle in under the planetarium dome for a journey through the night sky.

This ticket suits families looking for a full day of hands-on learning as well as adults who want to reconnect with their curious side. Planetarium shows are reservable once inside, so guests can plan the rest of their visit around a show time that works for them.

Any restrictions to participate?

• Age: All ages are welcome for general admission, but children under 4 are not permitted inside planetarium shows

Who can you accommodate for?

• Children: All participants must pay to participate, children included. Children 2 and under are admitted free.
  • *Planetarium shows may not be suitable for children under 7.
• Individuals with disabilities: The museum is fully wheelchair accessible. Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge in the lobby, and electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters are welcome throughout. Service dogs are welcome, with some areas like the rainforest off limits. Sensory kits with adjustable earmuffs and fidget toys are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and a sensory guide on the visitor map rates each area's noise and visual stimulation.

What to expect on the day of the experience?

• Duration: Full day access
• What's included: Access to Steinhart Aquarium, the Osher Rainforest, Kimball Natural History Museum, and Morrison Planetarium shows (reservations recommended once inside).
• Photo/video: Personal photos and videos are welcome throughout the museum for personal use. Commercial filming or organized photo shoots require advance approval from the Academy.

How to prepare?

• Weather dependency: This is a mostly indoor experience.
• Parking: Nearby parking can fill up quickly. Accessible parking is available on the B1 level of the Music Concourse Garage, and public transit is a solid alternative.
• What to bring:
  • A valid ticket for entry
  • Comfortable shoes for a full day of walking

Unused Experience Vouchers can be returned within 14 days for a full refund to the original purchaser, no questions asked.

If you have any unused Experience Vouchers, you can exchange them for any other experience in our marketplace, free of charge, no matter when. If you choose an experience that's more expensive, you'll need to pay the difference.

No refunds are allowed once the experience is booked, but you can reschedule up to 24 hours before your experience, for a date within a year of the original booking. To reschedule, contact the experience provider directly. No-shows or rescheduling less than 24 hours in advance means losing the value of your experience.