From deep sea to deep space, your Academy ticket is your passport to science adventures. Explore our exhibits, public programs, events, and more. 

New & featured

Spring Festival

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Kids playing at Riveropolis water table during Academy Spring Festival

Bring your wild things to the Academy for a bouquet of science programs, games, and demos. March 24-April 23.

Dark Universe

Dark Universe title slide
March 3 at 11:30 am
March 4 at 11:30 am
March 5 at 11:30 am
March 6 at 11:30 am
March 7 at 11:30 am
March 8 at 11:30 am
March 9 at 11:30 am
March 10 at 11:30 am
March 11 at 11:30 am
March 12 at 11:30 am
March 13 at 11:30 am
March 14 at 11:30 am
March 15 at 11:30 am
March 16 at 11:30 am
March 17 at 11:30 am
March 18 at 11:30 am
March 19 at 11:30 am
March 20 at 11:30 am
March 21 at 11:30 am
March 22 at 11:30 am
March 23 at 11:30 am
March 24 at 11:30 am
March 25 at 11:30 am
March 26 at 11:30 am

Explore two of today's greatest cosmic mysteries—dark matter and dark energy. Narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson.

BigPicture: Natural World Photography

BigPicture 2022 grand prize winning photo by Karine Aigner depicting a cactus bee mating ball

Bee Balling by Karine Aigner (Grand Prize winner)

 

Still pictures will move you in an exhibition of the year's best nature, wildlife, and conservation photography.

NightLife: March 30

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Explore the museum at night.
March 30 at 6:00 pm

Explore the Academy at night alongside nearly 40,000 live animals.

Iconic exhibitions

Steinhart Aquarium

A woman and child in front of the Philippine Coral Reef tank

Come face-to-fin with nearly 40,000 animals—from deep-sea oddities to Claude, our alligator with albinism.

Morrison Planetarium

Interior of Morrison Planetarium with guests in audience, photo by John Hartsfield

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

Exterior view of rainforest glass dome with California Coast habitat in foreground

Journey through a living 4-story rainforest, home to free-flying butterflies and birds and giant Amazonian fish.

Kimball Natural History Museum

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Guests exploring Color of Life exhibit and tiger specimen at California Academy of Sciences

Explore hands-on exhibits, fascinating specimens, and the latest research conducted by Academy scientists.

Ongoing exhibitions

Hidden Wonders: Inside the Academy's Collections

California saber-tooth cat fossil from 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

Mother and daughter read exhibit label in front of cross section of gigantic redwood tree in Giants of Land and Sea exhibit

Experience Northern California's epic natural wonders—including a 7.9-magnitude earthquake in the Shake House.

Gems and Minerals Unearthed

Crocoite; Photo: Kat Whitney

Marvel at nearly 400 dazzling and dramatic gem and mineral specimens from the Academy's geology collection.

Color of Life

Color of Life

Live animals and hands-on exhibits reveal the significant role color plays across a vibrant spectrum of species.

The Swamp

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Claude the alligator with albinism sits on his rock in the Academy's Swamp exhibit

Explore a Southeastern swamp habitat, home to snapping turtles and our beloved alligator with albinism, Claude.

Philippine Coral Reef

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Philippine Coral Reef

Watch reef fish dart through colorful forests of coral while giant rays sail gracefully under your feet.

Tusher African Hall

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Visitors wander through African Hall, filled with dioramas on both sides and an African penguin colony at the far end.

Explore our evolutionary history while surrounded by dioramas of African wildlife and splashing penguins.

Living Roof

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The 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

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Visitors explore the Human Odyssey exhibit.

Trace the milestones of our species’ fascinating history by studying skull casts, interactive maps, and more.

Water Planet

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The Water Planet exhibit's blue glow creates a beautiful place for exploring watery adaptations.

Discover how animals have evolved fascinating methods of living in and out of water.

California Coast

Silhouetted guests point and gaze at the 100,000 gallon California Coast exhibit

Get a glimpse of the richness right off our coast and gaze at rockfish, eels, anemones, sharks, and more.

Hands-on exhibitions

Wander Woods

Masked girl plays inside a giant hollowed-out log in Wander Woods

Activate your kids' curiosity about the natural world in our outdoor nature play and exploration space.

Curiosity Grove

The iconic climbing tree framed by an all-new colorful mural inside the new Curiosity Grove educational play space.

Young imaginations soar in this colorful, California forest-themed playspace. Open daily, 10 am-4 pm.

Naturalist Center

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A visitor inspecting the Naturalist Center cabinets filled with specimens, books, and more.

Welcome to the Academy's hub for exploration, with books, games, specimens, and more. Open daily; hours vary.

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