What makes it 81% Baby-Friendly: Babies enter free and strollers, elevators, and changing tables ease movement, yet no listed nursing room and under-4s barred from planetarium lower convenience but visit remains feasible.
Why 3–4 hours visit duration is ideal for with baby: Allows time for aquarium, rainforest, planetarium, living roof, and breaks for feeding or naps.
Steinhart Aquarium & Penguin Feeding:
See the indoor coral reef and watch penguins at 10:30 am or 3 pm.
Tip: Arrive 15 minutes early for seating at the penguin exhibit.
Osher Rainforest Dome:
Walk under the four-story glass canopy with free-flying birds and tropical plants.
Tip: Use the side ramp to stay on one level with a stroller.
Morrison Planetarium Show:
Enjoy a 75-foot dome show exploring space.
Tip: Pick up your free pass at entry; shows fill up fast.
Living Roof:
Stroll the 2.5-acre green roof with city views.
Tip: Plan this for mid-visit to let baby nap in the stroller.
Naturalist Center & Wander Woods:
Touch specimens indoors and explore the outdoor nature-play yard.
Tip: Visit the center between 11 am and 4:30 pm for crafts and scavenger hunts.

Divya Devakumar
A perfect mix of science, nature, and wonder 🌿🪐 — loved exploring the rainforest dome, aquarium, and planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences! The facility is well-maintained, staff are professional and helpful, and the overall experience is both inspiring and informative. Truly a SF must-visit! 💚
Timothy McQuide
Interesting museum and aquarium. Located across from the DeYoung Museum. Interesting displays with an albino alligator named Claude. There is an enclosed area that you can walk through with many butterflies flying free. There is a small cafe on site.
Jonathan Phan
Located at 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, this museum is a standout destination that combines science, sustainability, and immersive design. Inside, you’ll find a world-class aquarium, a planetarium with rotating shows, a four-story rainforest dome, and natural history exhibits—all under a living roof covered in native plants. The layout is intuitive, and interactive displays make it engagi...
Robert Curtis
Wow this place was awesome! A great place for all ages to enjoy. View dinosaur bones and many marine species. A Huge indoor atrium that is home to many different species of butterflies that fly everywhere around you...its quite an exciting experience. On the bottom level is the aquarium with many tanks with colorful fish and coral reefs. There is also a natural history museum with life size animal...
Tae K
The California Academy of Sciences is an amazing place that we keep coming back to. It’s spacious and packed with so much to see and explore. One of our favorite parts is taking the elevator down from the rainforest to the aquarium—it’s such a fun transition. The large tank in the aquarium always captures our attention, and we can spend a long time just watching the marine life. Cloud, the white ...
Winter brings occasional rain—focus on indoor exhibits. Summer weekends get busy; aim for weekday mornings.
Explore These Activities
| Item | Cost (Approx.) | 
|---|---|
| Adult tickets (2 × $25) | USD 50 | 
| Locker rental (optional) | USD 8 | 
| Total Estimated | USD 58 | 
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve
Address: 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
Map will load when you scroll here
Scroll down to view the interactive map
Looking for other Things to Do besides California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco)?
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+1 415-379-8000Average price
How You Can Support Us
If our website helps you, please support us by booking your travel needs through this link: Book Flights, Hotels, Activities on Trip.com - New App User Promo up to 10% OFF. We may earn a small affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you!
It's a simple way to help us keep the site running and improving for everyone. Thanks for your support!
Average price