For guests 21 and older, the California Academy of Sciences NightLife experience turns a beloved San Francisco, California museum into a lively after-hours destination. Bars pour specialty cocktails, craft beer, and wine throughout most of the building, while guests wander past the Philippine Coral Reef, browse natural history exhibits, and grab a bite from rotating food vendors setting up in the East Garden.

A planetarium show can be added for an extra fee and tends to sell out, so guests who want to catch one should grab a pass early once inside. The Osher Rainforest closes earlier than the rest of the museum, so guests hoping to walk through the canopy should make time for it before turning their attention to the bars and exhibits elsewhere.

Any restrictions to participate?

• Age: This experience is exclusively for guests 21 and older. Valid, physical photo ID is required for entry.

Who can you accommodate for?

• Children: This is not an experience for children.
• 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?

• What's included: Access to nearly all daytime exhibits, including the aquarium and natural history museum.
  • Planetarium passes are sold separately and tend to sell out.
• Spectators: Everyone attending must have a valid ticket.
• Photo/video: Personal photos and videos are welcome throughout the event for personal use. Commercial filming or organized photo shoots require advance approval from the Academy.
• Specific rules to follow: The Osher Rainforest closes earlier than the rest of the museum, and once a planetarium show begins, late entry is not permitted.

How to prepare?

• Weather dependency: This is a mostly indoor experience.
• Arrival: Guests planning to catch a planetarium show should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to secure a seat.
• 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, physical photo ID
  • Cash or card for drinks, food, and add-ons like planetarium passes

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.