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  • The Academy is reopening to the public on March 17! Learn more
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Learn & Explore

  • A dazzling underwater scene in the Red Sea with a school of bright orange reef fish
  • A variety of colorful beetle specimens from the entomology collection
  • Microbiologist Shannon Bennett using a pipette in her lab at the California Academy of Sciences
  • Two young guests marvel at the sea nettle jellyfish exhibit
  • An ancient terracotta animal figure is delicately displayed by our anthropology collections manager
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Dive the mesophotic zone of the Philippines. Rise through the treetops of tropical Malaysia. Zoom in on a single scale of a butterfly's wing. Academy science helps explain our world. Explore it with us.
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Colorful GIF of a collage of science crafts

Science @ Home

Kids ages 4-11 will love becoming experts on butterflies, penguins, coral reefs, and more through themed activity packs containing hands-on projects for every day of the week.

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A trio of Academy scientists on a boat in scuba gear, ready to dive Palau.

Science Heroes

If it blooms, swims, or flies, it’s probably an Academy scientist’s obsession. Get to know the people putting their curiosity to work for the future of our planet.

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An Academy diver is dwarfed by a giant coral colony in Grand Cayman

Scientific Expeditions

Madagascar. The Philippines. Palau. Cameroon. The Academy goes where biodiversity thrives—or is threatened. Explore the globe with us and experience the adventurous side of science.

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A stunning leafy seadragon swimming in its exhibit at the Steinhart Aquarium

Creature Closeups

There's a story behind every species on exhibit. Get to know a few of the Steinhart Aquarium's most captivating residents.

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A sawshark specimen forms the shape of a circle against a dramatic black background

Specimen Spotlights

With one of the world's largest and most important scientific collections, the Academy is a library of life. See some of our most striking specimens.

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Citizen science observation

Citizen Science

To protect biodiversity, we need to know more about it. Academy scientists travel the globe to explore, explain, and sustain, but they can’t be everywhere. That's where you come in.

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A young visitor explores the Macro Color magnifier on exhibit at the Academy

Apps & Interactives

Exercise your brain and activate your imagination with engaging, all-ages, hands-on learning tools, mobile apps, and Academy Science videos.

Underwater photo of African penguin swimming with fish in mouth

Animal Webcams

Our HD webcams stream 24/7, so you're never more than a click away from our stingrays, coral reef, penguins—and the otherworldly Farallon Islands.

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Mosaic of some of the 213 new species described by Academy scientists in 2020

New discoveries in 2020!

Academy scientists added 213 new species to the tree of life this year. Meet some of the standouts, from dazzling nudibranchs to a "slingshot predator" preserved in amber.

Add some life to your inbox.

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The Academy is reopening on March 17!
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California Academy of Sciences
info@calacademy.org
Golden Gate Park
55 Music Concourse Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
United States
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The California Academy of Sciences is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to explore, explain, and sustain life.

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California Academy of Sciences

Year-End Resilience Drive

All Gifts Matched 5x!

This year’s closures are having a devastating effect on the Academy. But until Dec. 31, all gifts will be matched 5x, up to $200,000, to support our scientific research, education programs, and care and conservation of our animals.

Please help the Academy with a tax-deductible gift today.

Match my gift

California Academy of Sciences

Year-End Resilience Drive

All Gifts Matched!

This year’s closures are having a devastating effect on the Academy. But until Dec. 31, all gifts will be matched, up to $100,000, to support our scientific research, education programs, and care and conservation of our animals.

Please help the Academy with a tax-deductible gift today.

Match my gift

California Academy of Sciences
Giving Tuesday

Our doors are closed...

...but our penguins are still counting on you. Make a matched Giving Tuesday gift to support the care and conservation of the Academy’s animal residents.

All gifts up to $50,000 will be doubled to make twice the impact for our penguin colony — but only until midnight on December 1.

Match My Gift

Learn more about our closure.

Ready, set, reopen!

We're thrilled to announce that the Academy will reopen to the public on March 17, with special member and donor preview days on March 15-16. Tickets will be available beginning March 10, and all guests, including members, must reserve tickets online in advance.

As always, your safety is our top priority, and enhanced health and safety measures will be in effect:

  • Masks must be worn properly by all guests ages 3+ at all times.
  • Physical distancing of at least 6' must be maintained at all times.
  • Some exhibits, including the planetarium, will remain temporarily closed.
  • Reservations will be required for the rainforest and Shake House.

Click the link below to learn more. We can't wait to see you soon!

Know Before You Go

The Academy is temporarily closed.

The health and safety of our guests and staff is our top priority. In accordance with local and state public health guidelines, the Academy is closed to the public until further notice. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.

Learn more Make a gift