San Francisco

California Academy of Sciences General Admission Ticket

San Francisco, USA
  • 3 to 5 hours
  • Mobile ticket

Overview

Enjoy easy access to the California Academy of Sciences with this pre-paid skip-the-line ticket. Walk right in to enjoy the museum's 4-story rain forest, planetarium, and aquarium. Avoid wasting your precious vacation waiting in the long lines to purchase tickets for this exhibit-packed museum. Your admission includes all shows and exhibits, and is a perfect activity for families. While masks are no longer required indoors, we strongly encourage guests to continue masking up.
  • California Academy of Science admission ticket includes all shows and exhibits
  • Instant-access ticket means no waiting in line at a separate kiosk to redeem your voucher
  • Perfect for families—there's something for everyone to enjoy
  • Meet nearly 60,000 animal residents, from a colony of playful African penguins to the lovable white alligator, Claude
  • Explore hands-on exhibits and enjoy daily public programs like animal feedings, pop-up demonstrations, and more
  • Step inside the 4-story rainforest and look for frogs, chameleons and free flying birds and butterflies

What's Included

  • Instant-access admission to the California Academy of Sciences
  • Formal tour
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities (not required)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA

Start time

Opening hours

  • 2/20/2024 - 3/29/2024

    Monday - Saturday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

  • 2/20/2024 - 3/29/2024

    Monday - Saturday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

  • 3/30/2024 - 4/7/2024

    Monday - Saturday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

  • 4/8/2024 - 5/24/2024

    Monday - Saturday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

  • 4/8/2024 - 5/24/2024

    Monday - Saturday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

  • 5/25/2024 - 5/27/2024

    Monday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Saturday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

  • 5/28/2024 - 6/30/2024

    Monday - Saturday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

  • 5/28/2024 - 6/30/2024

    Monday - Saturday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

  • 7/1/2024 - 8/31/2024

    Monday - Saturday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

  • 9/1/2024 - 10/31/2024

    Monday - Saturday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

  • 11/1/2024 - 12/31/2024

    Monday - Saturday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

  • 1/1/2025 - 3/31/2025

    Monday - Saturday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

  • 4/1/2025 - 6/30/2025

    Monday - Saturday : 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM

    Sunday : 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Breeze past box office lines and enjoy a wait-free entrance when you make your way to the California Academy of Sciences located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Make the most of your time and get started exploring shows, public programs, and exhibits – all included with admission!

Your ticket is your passport to an epic science adventure when you visit the only place on Earth with an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum under one living roof. 

The Academy has been a must-see destination for 170 years with everchanging exhibits and experiences. Recent updates include Wander Woods, an outdoor nature play and exploration space designed to activate your child’s curiosity, and Hidden Wonders, giving you a peek into the past with never before seen specimens from the Academy’s research collections.

California Academy of Sciences

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Steinhart Aquarium

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Morrison Planetarium

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Osher Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infant seats available
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Planetarium passes are free and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. When you arrive at the Academy, scan the QR code posted in the lobby to reserve a showtime. Please note that shows may not be appropriate for children under 7, and children under 4 are not permitted.
  • Sustainable, grab-and-go food and drinks are available for purchase at the Academy Café and Terrace Restaurant
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 9 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

4.0
535 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 535 reviews
California Academy of Science
Sally_O, Mar 2024
This is a wonderful learning experience for folks of any age. Its worth the lines. The rainforest and aquarium were really great.
WOW!
Susie_K, Mar 2024
We were allowed into the building at 9:30 I am not sure why we had to wait 30 mins until at 10:00 we were allowed in to see the area. The Corpse Flower was magnificent and worth the wait!
Incorrect hours of operation
James_G, Jan 2024
The tickets we received for Sunday January 21, indicated that the California Academy of Sciences was open from 9:30am to 5pm. We arrived at 10:15 and were told that it was members only until 11am. We had a toddler with us and begged them to let us in; they reluctantly let us in at 10:30. Will not use Viator again.
Amazing family outing
Shyloh_A, Jan 2024
We had a really good time. We learned a lot of new things. The penguins were really cute. The rainforest and the butterflies were amazing!
Rainforest visit
Stephen_H, Nov 2023
Great day out for thanksgiving. Rain forest is stunning and well worth a visit. The park is beautiful and a must do in San Francisco
Too expensive and disappointing experience
Denise_W, Aug 2023
It was only ok. Dinosaur exhibit was disappointing. Saturday was too crowded. Parking is $31.25. Food for 3 was $75.00. Plus entrance fees to academy and tea garden being separate makes this an outrageously expensive day. Not worth it. Go to Monterey bay aquarium instead.
Explore the cosmos and more
Minh_B, Jul 2023
The planetarium show Incoming was great, a must-watch if you visit the California Academy of Science. The living rainforest and aquarium sections are also nice.
Family get together
Ellen_T, Jun 2023
Being with family. There was several changes to the museum since we last visit 15 years ago. My grandson would have like to see more dinosaur fossils.
Beautiful!!!
Lucy_C, Jun 2023
We had nice time!!!!! It was beautiful but I wish I had known I needed a reservation to go in the observatory😔 my grandson was sad!!!
Great place to visit in SF
Jon_R, Jun 2023
Butterflies, entire facility is great experience for kids & adults. Clean full of fun interesting things and facts.
We Highly recommended...
Chanroth_T, Apr 2023
We Highly recommended this place, very educational for the youngs. My son loves it and wanted to go again. Addition to that they have a Farris wheel and we can go for a ride and a walk around the garden. It's really beautiful!!!
Great place to visit
Michelle_J, Apr 2023
The California Academy of Sciences is good place to visit, especially if you have children. But even as a solo adult, it was enjoyable. The lines are long but worth the wait. I do wish the aquarium was larger. Nonetheless the aquarium, rainforest, African hall, living roof, and planetarium are great.
I thought there would be...
Jennifer_E, Feb 2023
I thought there would be a limit to how many people were actually there. I was surprised at how crowded every exhibit was. not worth the funds I shelled out.
Planetarium was nice and...
Carlos_O, Feb 2023
Planetarium was nice and aquarium was awesome ,the whole experience was great for my kind was a lot of fun 😀
perfect access to a popular museum
Judith_T, Jan 2023
memorable part of the visit is the no-hassle entry to the museum and the discounted entrance fee. we maximized our 4-hr visit very well and it was the perfect birthday gift!
Saturday Science
KIMBERLY_W, Jan 2023
Great exhibits. Loved the coral reef and aquarium areas. The rainforest adaptation is well done, but not enough animals. The amount of strollers made the experience challenging. I was wrongfully charged for food items that are already overpriced
It was big that I thought...
Clementino_L, Jan 2023
It was big that I thought with 3 levels and lots to see and enjoy or a date. With friend or family. You get the opportunity to learn as well as observe the animals. It's a great time and you can also get yourself a bit to eat while you're walking around taking in the sites.
Good learning experience...
Margarita_D, Dec 2022
Good learning experience for all ages. Love that it covers a bit of everything under 1 roof! We had fun.
Most enjoyable
Marijane_G, Nov 2022
The kids enjoyed the shake shack, the fog room, the special “bugs” exhibit, and being snowed on in the auditorium.
Problem with reservation
Suzanne_K, Nov 2022
There was a problem with the reservation. They couldn’t find it and I couldn’t find it on my phone, so I had to buy the tickets again (for $165.) Although parts of the the exhibit were good, I liked the architecture and character of the original building
...

From $40.75

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

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