California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is so proud of its newly designed architectural space that it sacrifices its own collection. The atrium and surrounding areas have enormously high ceilings and sparse, over-curated exhibits. While this may make for a gorgeous event space, it makes for a shitty museum. They actually have a bit of their storage behind glass, presumably to show off the fact that they do have a vast collection. What you can see when you peer inside this dim, deep room is that it's filled with amazing pieces that you'll never get to see. Screw the rainforest with the 45 minute line, the planetarium that you can only visit if you get to the museum at 8am and take a 5 hour break at the DeYoung until your time slot, and the rather unimpressive green roof....I want to go in THERE. A great museum is immersive with the power to fill children and adults alike with wonderment. This one is barely interactive unless you count opening drawers, waiting in line, or watching a scienti... Read more

The biggest plus might be its just located in san francisco. But it looks really congested, overcrowded, and doesn't worth the price. We really liked the aquarium section even though we have to stand behind someone to look at each part of it. The living roof is not convincing and looks dry and they could have used the money spent on this roof for bigger garden or any other part of the exhibit.

It's world class, albeit a very expensive outing. There are three main things to see and do at the Academy of the Sciences: 1) The aquarium 2) The rain forest 3) the planetarium All are worthwhile. While not quite as good as the Monterey Aquarium, the Academy of the Sciences aquarium is probably the second best I've ever seen. The albino crocodile is otherworldly. There are plenty of sharks, and huge, ancient looking fish lurking around. They pack the fish in, which is good for us tourists (but probably bad for the fish). The nicest spot in the whole place might be the benches that sit beneath one of the main tanks - you can sit there gazing up and watch the fish float by. The rain forest was neat as well. It's a contained area with jacked up humidity and birds and butterflies flying around. As you leave, the staff brushes you down for butterflies attempting their getaway. There are supposedly macaws in there as well, but I couldn't find them. Downside: it's hot and hum... Read more

Entrance fee is too expensive for what it offers. I did not find the interactive sections or most of the exhibits as stimulating as expected, but they did have a beautiful albino alligator that resembled white chocolate. It was chilling by itself in an open-top display case and putting up with copious quantities of flash photography with Ghandi-like patience. The penguins were adorable, and two of them felt compelled to entertain the audience by fornicating.

I had a great date here. Besides good company, the museum is pretty cool. Def. high tech. The aquarium was prob the best part, although still not the best aquarium ever. They have a white crocodile. The forest is pretty cool, yet it gets really hot and stuffy and the line takes forever!!!! its cool when the butterflies float around you. Got into a 3d show too about bugs, that was cool. Overall, def something to check out in the city, its a fun thing to do on a weekday....when its not packed!