An aquarium, planetarium, four-story rainforest and natural history museum under one living, plant-covered roof. Watch African penguins, peer at a coral reef and wander among free-flying butterflies. Kids 2 and under are free.
Opening Hours
| Monday | 9:30 am–5 pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9:30 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 9:30 am–5 pm, 6 pm–10 pm |
| Friday | 9:30 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 9:30 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am–5 pm |
Last entry 4pm. Thursday 6–10pm is NightLife, 21+ only. Closed for private events Sep 29 and Oct 21, 2026; Morrison Planetarium closed Sep 21–23.
From the venue’s own page, checked September 19, 2026. Holiday hours and one-off closures can differ.
Getting There
- MIrving St & 8th AveMuni Metro N · 0.4 mi, about 11 min walk
Transit directions, including buses
Nearest Muni Metro, streetcar and cable car stops and BART stations, from SFMTA and BART published stop data. Distances are straight-line, and walking times are our estimate. Buses aren’t listed here.
More in Golden Gate Park
Coming up Nearby
- Treasures of the Pharaohs Sat, Aug 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 · de Young Museum
- San Francisco Old Car Picnic in Golden Gate Park Sat, Oct 17 · Hellman Hollow, Golden Gate Park
- SuperNatural Halloween at Cal Academy Sat, Oct 24 · California Academy of Sciences
Places in the Neighborhood
- de Young Museum Museums
- Japanese Tea Garden Parks & Playgrounds
- Koret Children’s Quarter & Carousel Parks & Playgrounds
Coming up Here
- SuperNatural Halloween at Cal Academy Sat, Oct 24 · California Academy of Sciences
Mentioned in Our Guides
Questions People Ask About California Academy of Sciences
Is the California Academy of Sciences free for kids?
Only for the very young: children 2 and under get in free. Children 3 to 12 pay $39, or $45 on peak days. Families on EBT can buy $5 tickets.
How much does the California Academy of Sciences cost?
Adults 19 and over pay $49, rising to $55 on peak days. Youth 13 to 18 pay $45 ($49 peak). Prices depend on the date you pick, so check the day you want before you buy.
Can children go to NightLife at the Academy?
No. NightLife runs most Thursdays from 6 to 10 pm and is for ages 21 and over only. With kids, go during the day: 9:30 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday, or 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday.
What time does the California Academy of Sciences open on Sunday?
11 am on Sunday, two and a half hours later than the rest of the week, and it closes at 5 pm like every other day.
Cite this page: Project SF, “California Academy of Sciences”, projectsf.com/listings/california-academy-of-sciences/ (updated ).