Museum in Golden Gate Park
The best of the California Academy of Sciences
The aquarium, the rainforest, the planetarium and Thursday NightLife, with tickets and hours: here is how to plan your visit, with honest advice on the price, the crowds and timed entry, and how long to stay.
See our 2 picksThe California Academy of Sciences is a science museum in Golden Gate Park. It has an aquarium, a rainforest and a planetarium under one roof. Adult tickets cost $49 to $55 at the museum. The easiest way in is a timed entry ticket from €44, booked ahead. Plan three to four hours.
Our 2 picks for the California Academy of Sciences
The plain entry ticket, then a bus combo with fewer and weaker reviews.
-
from €44 per person Our top pick Self–paced 4.5 (747) reviews on GetYourGuide
California Academy of Sciences entry ticket
General entry to all shows and exhibits, with nearly 60,000 live animals. Food and drinks are not included.
Best for Families and anyone visiting the museum
Check availability: California Academy of Sciences entry ticket on GetYourGuide -
from €98 per person 1 day 2.7 (3) reviews on GetYourGuide
Academy entry plus hop-on hop-off bus
Museum entry with a 48-hour open-top bus ticket, a 1-hour sunset bus tour and a 1-hour Chinatown walk. Commentary is recorded, not live.
Best for Visitors who want the bus anyway
Check availability: Academy entry plus hop-on hop-off bus on GetYourGuide
California Academy of Sciences tickets compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Academy of Sciences entry ticket | €44 per person | Self–paced | Families and anyone visiting the museum | The official ticket, rated 4.5 from 747 reviews. |
| Academy entry plus hop-on hop-off bus | €98 per person | 1 day | Visitors who want the bus anyway | Rated 2.7 from only 3 reviews; book it only if you want the bus pass too. |
California Academy of Sciences entry ticket
€44 per personSelf–paced 4.5 (747)
More details
- Who it suits
- Families and anyone visiting the museum
- Why we picked it
- The official ticket, rated 4.5 from 747 reviews.
Academy entry plus hop-on hop-off bus
€98 per person1 day 2.7 (3)
More details
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want the bus anyway
- Why we picked it
- Rated 2.7 from only 3 reviews; book it only if you want the bus pass too.
Group size is not stated on the booking pages. None of the 2 includes hotel pickup: you meet on site. All 2 offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 22 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Is the California Academy of Sciences worth it?
Yes, for most families and nature fans it is worth the price. You get an aquarium, a rainforest and a planetarium in one building. That fills three to four hours.
At $49 to $55 for an adult, it is not cheap. If you only have one day in the city, you may prefer to walk outside instead.
Pair the museum with a city walk on another day. Our guide to Chinatown and North Beach covers the walk up to Coit Tower.
California Academy of Sciences tickets
Adult tickets cost $49 on regular days and $55 on peak days. Adults are aged 19 and over. Tickets are timed, so you pick an entry time when you buy online.
The GetYourGuide entry ticket starts from €44. It can be cancelled up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund.
Food inside
Food and drinks are not part of the ticket. Check the museum website for its café and food rules before you go.
Hours and Thursday NightLife
The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday it opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Last entry is at 4 p.m.
On Saturday 24 October 2026, the museum closes early, at 3 p.m., for a special event.
NightLife: Thursdays, 21+
NightLife is an adults-only evening at the museum. It runs on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. You must be 21 or older.
Exploratorium or California Academy of Sciences?
Choose the Academy for animals and nature, and the Exploratorium for hands-on science. The Exploratorium is at Pier 15 on the waterfront. Its adult ticket costs $39.95.
Both have an adults-only Thursday night. The Exploratorium After Dark is for ages 18 and up. NightLife at the Academy is for 21 and up.
Tips for the California Academy of Sciences
Book a timed ticket
Entry is by time slot. Buy online before you go so you can walk straight in.
Arrive by 1 p.m.
Last entry is at 4 p.m. Arriving early gives you the three to four hours the museum needs.
Check the date
On Saturday 24 October 2026, the museum closes at 3 p.m.
Keep the refund option
Both tickets here can be cancelled up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund.
California Academy of Sciences: questions and answers
Is the California Academy of Sciences worth it?
How much does it cost to go to the California Academy of Sciences?
How long does it take to explore the California Academy of Sciences?
Is food allowed in the California Academy of Sciences?
Which is better, Exploratorium or California Academy of Sciences?
More California Academy of Sciences tickets, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
Live prices and availability from GetYourGuide load here.
More in San Francisco
Facts checked on 23 October 2026 against: California Academy of Sciences: hours and admission · California Academy of Sciences: buy tickets · Exploratorium: home · Exploratorium: visit · Exploratorium: After Dark.
Written by the Things to Do in San Francisco editorial team.