Stephanie Stone (415) 379-5121
sstone@calacademy.org

Andrew Ng (415) 379-5123
ang@calacademy.org

DIVE INTO THE SEA OF LOVE AT STEINHART AQUARIUM

Valentine's Day programs will excite visitors from February 13-19

SAN FRANCISCO (January 6, 2006) – Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places? If you haven’t felt romance in the air, try looking in the water! From February 13-19, the California Academy of Sciences celebrates Valentine’s Day with a slate of exciting and educational programs, designed to showcase the many displays of love in the animal kingdom. Embark on a child’s version or adults-only version of a special self-guided scavenger hunt, which will lead you to some of the aquarium’s most amorous creatures, including the African penguins, which mate for life, and the red devil cichlids, which frequently lock lips. Or speak with the Academy’s docents, who will be on hand to point out particularly passionate animal behaviors, such as the mating dances performed by the male tarantula, or the electric love songs sung by the female knife fish. Docent-led tours with the special theme of “Sea of Love, Lust on Land” will take place at 10 am and 11 am Tuesday-Sunday, as well as every hour (on the hour) from 5-8 pm on Thursday evening.

In addition to these ongoing programs, meet one of the Academy’s biologists on February 14 at 2 pm , for a lesson about mating practices in the coral reef, or watch live sea urchin eggs get fertilized on February 16 at 12 pm. Cap the week off with an organic aphrodisiac tasting on February 17, from 3-5 pm - Market Street Catering will provide samples of libido-enhancing foods, including oysters, strawberries, and chocolate dessert, while VinoVenue will present wines that may make you blush. For a wet-and-wild experience this Valentine’s Day, there’s no better place to visit than the California Academy of Sciences.

Calendar Editors Please Note:

SCAVENGER HUNT (Download the Child's Version now!)
Monday-Sunday, February 13-19 from 10 am - 5 pm
Embark on a child's version or adults-only version of a self-guided scavenger hunt, which will lead you to the aquarium's cutest and most affectionate inhabitants. In the end, receive a fun prize for all your efforts! Free with museum admission.
California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118. (415) 379-8000. www.calacademy.org.

"SEA OF LOVE, LUST ON LAND" TOURS
Tuesday–Sunday, February 14–19 at 10 am and 11 am
Thursday, February 16 at 5, 6, 7, and 8 pm
Join a docent-led tour of the Academy and learn about some of the most amorous creatures in the animal kingdom. Each tour lasts one hour. Free with museum admission.
California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118. (415) 379-8000. www.calacademy.org.

LOVE IN THE CORAL REEF
Tuesday, February 14 at 2 pm
Meet one of the Academy’s aquatic biologists and learn about some of the most interesting mating practices that take place in coral reefs. Free with museum admission.
California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118. (415) 379-8000. www.calacademy.org.

COOL CREATURE FEATURE
Thursday, February 16 at 12 pm
Witness the miracle of life as an Academy biologist fertilizes live sea urchin eggs under a microscope, while explaining the process of urchin reproduction. Free with museum admission.
California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118. (415) 379-8000. www.calacademy.org.

THIRD THURSDAY
Thursday, February 16 from 5 - 9 pm
Filled with clownfish, corals, and cocktails, the Academy after-hours is the place to be on the third Thursday of this month. “Sea of Love, Lust on Land” tours led by Academy docents will depart at 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, and 8 pm. $5 reduced admission.
California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118. (415) 379-8000. www.calacademy.org.

A TASTE OF THE ROMANTIC
Friday, February 17 from 3-5 pm
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an aphrodisiac tasting of organic and sustainably-harvested foods. Market Street Catering will provide samples of libido-enhancing foods, including oysters, spiced strawberries, and voluptuous chocolate desserts, while VinoVenue will present you with wines that will make you blush. Free with museum admission.
California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118. (415) 379-8000. www.calacademy.org.

The California Academy of Sciences, including Steinhart Aquarium and the Natural History Museum, is open to the public at 875 Howard Street. Admission to the Academy at 875 Howard Street is: $7 for adults, $4.50 for youth ages 12 to 17, Seniors ages 65+ and students with valid ID, $2 for children ages four to 11 and children ages three and younger will be admitted free of charge. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. www.calacademy.org (415) 379-8000.

The California Academy of Sciences, the fourth largest natural history museum in the United States, is home to Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium and the Natural History Museum. The Academy is beginning an extensive rebuilding project in Golden Gate Park. Pritzker prize-winning architect Renzo Piano is designing the new Academy, which is expected to open in 2008.

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