Took my tween and teen kids here hoping to spend the afternoon learning. Unfortunately after paying an astronomical amount for 2 teens, one child and one adult ticket we were greatly let down. While the exhibits are nice they are very small and VERY crowded. We went mid week on a non holiday week and it was jam packed with field trips and out of control kids thing things, screaming, banging on exhibits and overall just ruining any sort of chance to learn. Then just to see the small rainforest exhibit you have to wait in a very long line, and what they don’t warn you is there is only one way out at the top one single elevator. We were stuck in there trying to get out for over 45 minutes while the elevator attendant put as few people as possible in each round. All while sweating to death and listening to groups of field trips scream and yell and swat at the butterflies. We have been to many natural history and science museums around the country and this one is by far our least favorite design wise, price wise and exhibit wise (and the most expensive). Not worth the $$$ for what you get.

Lots to learn but definitely over priced. The day we went it was crowded 50$ is just a lot for a few hours. Different events were going on. The Aquarium was nice but difficult to read the information on the displays as the lighting is very poor down there. The cafe is overpriced too.

This is a wonderful learning experience for folks of any age. Its worth the lines. The rainforest and aquarium were really great.

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!

I hadn't been to the California Academy or Planetarium for many, many years, so this was a new experience and contrast. Most noticeably, the prices and captive audience gouging is egregious. It cost more than $30 to park for the afternoon...even with a disabled sticker. Hungry? >$50 for a minimal slice of pizza (no toppings-those cost more) and/or one sandwich for 3 adults and a 7 year old, no drinks included. The planetarium shows were short and underwhelming, low image quality and amateurish narrative, a ghost of the exquisite precision German planetarium projector of eras past buttressed by engrossing intelligent tutorials from world class professionals. The aquarium, though rebuilt, is more or less the same, e.g. nice. Other things, the indoor "rainforest", ok for what it is, nice walk for kids; the minerals nice, interesting; the alligators - not much, other exhibits: ok, but nothing super. Nice view from the roof, but the weed garden and narrative- bleh (looks like my backyard (au naturel). Foucault pendulum is still there, but absent some of the kid-curiosity awakening posters. The building itself is new, high, open, multi-story and airy (compared to that of yesterday) . Shame the contents and presentation do not follow suit. Summary: pleasant afternoon but aftertaste was a feeling of having been taken advantage (think captive audience or pickpocket) Next time, go to the Exploratorium or De Young instead, even if repeating.

Visited here recently with my sister. We went to the planetarium - the seats have no neck support and dont recline back so are very uncomfortable for a 30 minute viewing! The aquarium is great and loved the talk on Claude the Albino Aligator. The museum’s layout is a little complicated but the staff are very friendly and the area around is pretty. We came here as we had purchased the city pass.

We came here as part of the city pass as it’s one of the museums you don’t really get a choice on, not sure it’s worth $40 entry alone. The Aquarium part was interesting enough and we went to the planetarium too but didn’t spend too long anywhere else really, it didn’t seem to have that many interesting things for us to spend longer than 2 hours there and glad we didn’t pay for entry outside of using the city pass as I think we’d have been disappointed

Awesome collection. Especially Aquarium, Tropical Forest and Planetarium. A lot od things to see, books yourself about 5 hours to see everything

This was one of the highlights of our time in San Francisco - we did this on our last day and were all transfixed. So much to explore and see. Make sure that you leave enough time to explore the surrounding park and gardens in Golden Gate Park - which are also amazing.

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.

This museum is a must see! Came here with my family and thoroughly enjoyed it. I wish I could have stayed longer. The aquarium was outstanding and my teenage daughter who is into marine biology loved it. I also had a great time and found it so well done. The rainforest is also very good. They do have a hands on animal exhibit which was a little busy with the littler kids but would be great for young children. Mine were a little old for it! The planetarium was also very good and free with the ticket. This is a must see if you are in San Francisco.

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!

Every time I visit SF with my granddaughters we all agree that we will go back to CA. Academy. We all learn so much. There is also a nice cafe and they serve wine for a bit of relaxation. This time we saw so many butterflies in the rainforest. This is the best time spent in SF with any age. I highly recommend it!

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

The shows at the Planetarium were great, but nothing else was exciting. Rainforest was closed and the Aquarium was decent, but very overcrowded.

CAS was amazing! We had such a great time wandering through Osher Rainforest and the Naturalist Center. So many different exhibits and features to wander through and learn! A great way to spend a day!

This place is definitely fun for kids or for people really interested in animals and nature! It wasn’t the best activity for me I’d say, especially for the price of 37$, however I enjoyed all the animal exhibits. The rainforest section was closed when we visited, so all in all I wouldn’t say it was anything too impressive, but definitely fun for kids!

Loved seeing the albino alligator again, the living roof and the new Big Dinosaur exhibit. Very informative! It was also great to see many people and families out and about!

This is an excellent center. We particularly enjoyed the planetarium, gems & minerals, and aquarium. The planetarium show is kept up-to-date with the latest on dark matter and dark energy. There aren't a lot of dino bones, even in the big-dino temporary exhibit. The rainforest bubble line moves pretty quickly. Bring a water bottle; it's hot in there! There is a cafe but it was quite crowded at lunchtime. There are a lot of different options to eat. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available. Everyone in our group, from grandmas to the 9-year-old, really liked the center.

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.