From deep sea to deep space, your Academy ticket is your passport to science adventures. Explore our exhibits, public programs, events, and more.
Please note: Osher Rainforest is closed through November 17 for infrastructure maintenance. Learn more
New & featured
A Century of Steinhart Aquarium
Steinhart Aquarium opened on September 29, 1923.
Steinhart Aquarium is turning 100! Explore a century of firsts—and enjoy pay-what-you-can admission on Sept. 29.
NightLife: The Art of Nature
See what happens when art and nature collide at this NightLife honoring 10 years of BigPicture.
The World's Largest Dinosaurs
A life-size model of a 60-foot Mamenchisaurus looms over the exhibition.
Mapping Cosmic Magnetism in the Space Between the Stars
The Antenna Galaxies are located about 50 million light years away in the constellation Corvus the Crow. The magnetic fields in this pair of interacting galaxies are overlaid on an image from the Hubble Space Telescope.
Stanford's Dr. Susan Clark explains how magnetic forces sculpt the structure of the stuff between the stars!
BigPicture: Natural World Photography
“Backyard Friend” from “Cities Gone Wild” by Corey Arnold (Grand Prize winner)
Embark on a visual odyssey of 2023's best nature, wildlife, and conservation photography—opening October 7.
Iconic exhibitions
Steinhart Aquarium
Come face-to-fin with nearly 60,000 animals—from deep-sea oddities to Claude, our alligator with albinism.
Morrison Planetarium
The interior of Morrison Planetarium—one of the world's largest all-digital domes.
Experience the cosmos from the Academy's all-digital, 75-foot planetarium dome. Reservations required.
Osher Rainforest
Osher Rainforest is closed for infrastructure maintenance through November 17. We regret any inconvenience.
Kimball Natural History Museum
Explore hands-on exhibits, fascinating specimens, and the latest research conducted by Academy scientists.
Ongoing exhibitions
Venom: Fangs, Stingers, and Spines
Encounter an eye-catching array of 12+ venomous species, from scorpions and jellies to spiders and snakes.
Hidden Wonders: Inside the Academy's Collections
"Kitty," our California saber-toothed cat (Smilodon californicus) fossil, was collected from the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.
Peek into the past in an all-new exhibition of nearly 800 objects from the Academy's research collections.
Giants of Land and Sea
Experience Northern California's epic natural wonders—including a 7.9-magnitude earthquake in the Shake House.
Gems and Minerals Unearthed
Marvel at nearly 400 dazzling and dramatic gem and mineral specimens from the Academy's geology collection.
Twilight Zone: Deep Reefs Revealed
Descend into the twilight zone, where sunlight is scarce and every dive yields surprising discoveries.
Leo na Kesho (today and tomorrow)
A new installation in African Hall by artist Walter Kitundu interrupts a familiar presentation of biodiversity.
New Science: The Academy Exhibit
Celebrate LGBTQ+ women and gender minorities of color working in STEMM in a new exhibit and online gallery.
Color of Life
Live animals and hands-on exhibits reveal the significant role color plays across a vibrant spectrum of species.
The Swamp
Explore a Southeastern swamp habitat, home to snapping turtles and our beloved alligator with albinism, Claude.
Philippine Coral Reef
Watch reef fish dart through colorful forests of coral while giant rays sail gracefully under your feet.
Tusher African Hall
Explore our evolutionary history while surrounded by dioramas of African wildlife and splashing penguins.
Living Roof
Rolling hills and 1.7 million plants create an oasis for native species atop the Academy's 2.5-acre living roof.
Human Odyssey
Trace the milestones of our species’ fascinating history by studying skull casts, interactive maps, and more.
Water Planet
Discover how animals have evolved fascinating methods of living in and out of water.
California Coast
Get a glimpse of the richness right off our coast and gaze at rockfish, eels, anemones, sharks, and more.
Hands-on exhibitions
Wander Woods
Activate your kids' curiosity about the natural world in our outdoor nature play and exploration space.
Curiosity Grove
Young imaginations soar in this colorful, California forest-themed playspace. Open daily, 10 am-4 pm.
Naturalist Center
Welcome to the Academy's hub for exploration, with books, games, specimens, and more. Open daily; hours vary.
