The new California Academy of Sciences is redefining what it means to be a science museum: A single building that evokes the interdependence of earth, ocean and space; that houses an aquarium, a planetarium and a natural history museum; that’s filled with hundreds of innovative and engaging exhibits and thousands of animals.

A Plethora of Lifeforms

The Academy is home to nearly 40,000 animals, more than six times the number at the old Academy. Leafy sea dragons, anaconda, giant octopus, Amazonian piranhas, Borneo fruit bats, leaf-tailed geckos, tanagers, butterflies, and more! Take a sneak peek at the colony with our PenguinCams »

Advanced Technologies

Academy visitors can view the most accurate rendering of the Universe ever created, catch virtual butterflies with a digital net, see scientist webcasts from the field, and learn about the wonders of the natural world through the digital.

Old Favorites

The new Academy may be a museum for the 21st century but it still draw heavily from its 155-year legacy, its 20 million specimens, and its most popular exhibits from years past. Returning favorites include updated versions of African Hall, Foucault’s Pendulum, the Swamp exhibit, the T-Rex skeleton, and the 87-foot Blue Whale. A handful of architectural elements from the old structure have also been retained, including a significant portion of the building's facade.

Plan Your Expedition

Check out our interactive exhibit map or review the Academy floor plan »

Major Venues

Take a closer look at:

• Steinhart Aquarium »
• Morrison Planetarium »
• Kimball Natural History Museum »
• 4-story Rainforest »
• Naturalist Center »
• Hearst Forum »
• Raptors »

Thank you for following all posted warnings against photography at selected exhibits. These rules are important to maintain the health of our animals.

Daily Programs

Aquarium

• Coral Reef Dive: Every day at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.

• Penguin Feeding: Every day at 10:30 am and 3:30 pm. African Hall.

Planetarium

• Journey to the Stars: View showtimes »

Hearst 3D Theater

The Hearst Forum is closed in preparation for the new Extreme Mammals show.

Please note: Demand can exceed capacity for many of our exhibits and attractions. We cannot guarantee admittance to every attraction during your visit.

Learn more about these and other daily programs »

Self-Guided Tours

Explore at your own pace.

• Audio tours are available in French, German, Italian, English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Chinese.
• You can also access details about exhibits via your cell phone!