The Platinum Behind-the-Scenes Tour is the ultimate all access experience at the California Academy of Sciences. Get an exclusive, up close and personal look at the greenest museum on Earth.

Tour includes:

• General admission
• Express entry into the building
• Behind-the-scenes guided tour, including VIP entrance to the Rainforests of the World exhibit. Total tour time is 2 hours.
• Reserved Planetarium seating
• A commemorative gift DVD

Schedule:

Daily, except on Free Wednesdays (the third Wednesday of every month)

Sunday - Saturday
10:00, 11:00, 1:00, 2:00

Pricing:

• $99 per person (recommended for 8 years of age and older; 16 person capacity). Includes General Admission.
• $75 for Academy members or guests who are upgrading from General Admission (at front entrance).

Tickets:

Advance reservations with pre-payment are required. Purchase Platinum Behind-the-Scenes Tour tickets here here »

Or to purchase by phone, call (415) 379-8000. 

Information:

For more information about the Platinum Behind-the-Scenes tours, call (415) 379-5127.

Please note:

• Guests are encouraged to explore the museum exhibits before or after the tour. This guided tour mostly includes a behind-the-scenes look at the Academy and does not cover all of the public exhibits.
• Parking in Golden Gate Park can be very difficult, especially on weekends and holidays. Public transportation and drop-off are highly encouraged.
• Tours run on schedule. Please arrive on time.
• Please wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for indoors and outdoors. Uneven surfaces, slick spots, or inclement weather may be encountered.
• Elements of the Platinum-Behind-the-Scenes Tour and exhibits at the Academy are subject to change without prior notice.

Want an entirely different NightLife experience? Join us on our NightLife VIP Tour.

VIP Tour includes:

• A one-hour behind-the-scenes tour with a private viewing of some of the Academy's renowned gem and mineral collection, and interaction with Academy researchers
• An open bar in a reserved cocktail area prior to the tour
• VIP access to the Rainforests of the World exhibit
• A reserved pass for the 8:30pm Planetarium show
• Express entry into the building

Schedule:

Every Thursday during NightLife
Program begins promptly at 6:00pm and tour leaves on time without exception

Instructions:

• Please arrive at 6:00pm and enter through the "Membership" entrance.  Meet at VIP CHECK-IN desk inside the Main Lobby to receive your all access badge and further instructions.
• Parking can be very difficult on busy days. We strongly encourage public transportation or drop-off. Please allow plenty of extra time for traffic, parking, and arrival.
• Please note: Reserved seating to lectures is not included and elements of the tour may change without notice.

Pricing:

• $59.00/person (21 years of age and older). Includes admission to NightLife.
• Limited tickets available each week

Tickets:

Purchase NightLife VIP Tour tickets here »

Imagine experiencing the California Academy of Sciences after it is closed to the public and there are no crowds. Book the Wine and Dine Tour and you and your guests are in for a very special evening like nothing else in San Francisco. This intimate tour of no more than 24 guests, is led by one of the Academy's Platinum Tour guides and allows for the most personal way to enjoy this world class institution, followed by an unforgettable meal in our award-winning Moss Room restaurant.

Tour includes:

• A reception in the Moss Room restaurant featuring specially selected wines
• One hour, privately led tour of the Academy, plus a visit to our gem and mineral vault which is not open to the public
• A reserved table for you and your party to enjoy a delicious three-course meal with selected wine, specially designed for the Wine and Dine Tour by Chef Loretta Keller of the Moss Room. Other drinks and gratuity are additional.

Schedule:

• Every Sunday evening
• Wine reception begins at 6:00 pm
• Tour departs at 6:30 pm
• Dinner begins at 7:30 pm

Pricing:

$159 per person for non-members, $135 for members

Instructions:

• Please arrive by 6:00 pm. Enter the museum via the West Gardens to get to the Moss Room’s entrance.
• Specific tour content is subject to change from week to week, based on ability to open and display certain exhibits after-hours.
• Parking in the Music Concourse Garage included. Please ask for validation at the Moss Room.

Ticket Purchase:

Click here to purchase online.

To purchase by phone, call (888) 670-4433 and select number 2 for "Individual Reservations. Continue selecting for "Individual Reservations" with each prompt.

For more information, please contact: Specialty Tours 415-379-5127

Looking to enhance your visit to the Academy? Explore the wonders of the Academy at your own pace with a fun, interactive self-guided tour. Select the topic which matches your own interests; we offer an Academy Exhibit Highlights tour to learn more about our unique history and dynamic exhibits, or a Green Building tour about the sustainable design features of the new Academy. Visit the Guest Services desk in the lobby to purchase your audio tour. Each tour is approximately 30 minutes in length.

• Audio tours are available in English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Chinese, German, and Italian
• Each tour is $7 ($6 for Academy members).
• Each tour is $7 ($6 for Academy members).
• Combine both the Academy Exhibit Highlights and the Green Building tour for a special price of $12 ($10 for Academy members).

Available 7 days a week.