California Academy of Sciences

📍 🎯 Museum

The Verdict

"Over 46 million specimens under one Renzo Piano roof planted with native California wildflowers, opened in 2008. The Steinhart Aquarium (running since 1923) holds more than 800 species and one of the deepest indoor coral reefs in the world. NightLife Thursdays (21+) turn it adults-only with cocktails and DJs."

What you need to know

The California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park houses over 46 million scientific specimens, an aquarium, a planetarium, and a four-story indoor rainforest under a single living roof planted with native California wildflowers. The Steinhart Aquarium, which opened in 1923 inside an earlier building, now holds more than 800 species and includes one of the deepest indoor coral reefs in the world. The current building, designed by Renzo Piano, opened in 2008. NightLife events on Thursday evenings (21+) turn the museum into an adults-only space with cocktails and DJs.

Explore Nearby