Stephanie Stone (415) 379-5121
sstone@calacademy.org
Helen Taylor (415) 379-5128

NEIGHBORHOOD FREE DAYS PROGRAM EXPANDED FOR 2009

Thanks to a generous grant from Bank of America, thousands of visitors will enjoy
free admission to the new California Academy of Sciences

SAN FRANCISCO (September 17, 2008) – San Francisco residents will have expanded opportunities to visit the newly rebuilt California Academy of Sciences free of charge during its first year of operation. Over the past ten years, thousands of San Francisco residents have visited the Academy during Neighborhood Free Days each year. In 2009, the first year after the Academy's reopening in Golden Gate Park, the number of Neighborhood Free Days will double. Each neighborhood, defined by zip codes, will have two opportunities to visit the Academy for free over a three-day weekend (Friday, Saturday or Sunday). The first series of weekends runs from May 1-June 14, 2009, and the second from September 11-November 8, 2009.

"Access to cultural and educational institutions is one of our top community priorities at Bank of America because it’s one of the things our associates, customers and other Californians tell us they care deeply about," said Janet Lamkin, President of Bank of America California. "Investing in venues like the California Academy of Sciences enriches the lives of people who visit them and contributes substantially to the local economy."

Each visiting adult must prove residency by showing a driver's license or a utility bill. Only residents from the zip codes invited on the designated dates will be admitted free of charge. Information about Neighborhood Free Days is available at www.calacademy.org and at (415) 379-8000. The following schedule outlines the program by zip code neighborhoods:

 

NEIGHBORHOOD FREE DAYS 2009 SCHEDULE
NEIGHBORHOOD	ZIP CODE AREA	SPRING 2009 FREE DAYS	FALL 2009 FREE DAYS
Mission, Bernal Heights	94110	May 1, 2, 3	Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 1*
Sunset, Parkside, Stonestown, Lakeshore, St. Francis Woods	94122, 94116, 94127, 94132	May 8, 9, 10	Sept. 11, 12, 13
Richmond, Seacliff, Western Addition, Pacific Heights, Laurel Heights, Presidio	94121, 94118, 94115, 94129	May 15, 16, 17	Oct. 2, 3, 4
Excelsior, Ingleside, Bayview, Hunter’s Point, Visitacion Valley	94112, 94134, 94124	May 22, 23, 24	Oct. 9, 10, 11
Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, North Beach, Cow Hollow, Marina	94109, 94133, 94123	May 29, 30, 31	Oct. 16, 17, 18
Chinatown, Tenderloin, Downtown, SOMA, Potrero, Treasure Island, Mission Bay	94103, 94107, 94130, 94111, 94105, 94108, 94104, 94102, 94158	June 5, 6, 7	Nov. 6, 7, 8**
Castro, Noe Valley, Diamond Heights, Miraloma Park, Cole Valley, Haight	94117, 94114, 94131	June 12, 13, 14	Sept. 18, 19, 20
*   Note: These dates have been updated. October 23, 24, 25 are no longer the designated free days for these zip codes. ** Note: These dates have been updated. September 25, 26, 27 are no longer the designated free days for these zip codes.

 

 

The California Academy of Sciences is home to Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, Kimball Natural History Museum, and world-class research and education programs—all under one living roof. The new Academy, designed by award-winning architect Renzo Piano, opened to the public on September 27, 2008. Admission to the Academy is: $24.95 for adults; $19.95 for youth ages 12 to 17, Seniors ages 65+ and students with valid ID; $14.95 for children ages 4 to 11; and free for children ages 3 and younger. The Academy is free to the public on the third Wednesday of each month. Admission fees include all exhibits and shows. Hours are 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Saturday, and 11:00 am – 5:00 pm on Sunday. The Academy is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. www.calacademy.org. (415) 379-8000.