San Francisco
California Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences is one of our favorite places in Golden Gate Park. This is a museum that celebrates the natural world, it includes a live rainforest, superb aquarium, penguins, planetarium, natural history exhibits, and living roof. Plan on spending your whole day with kids here.
Tip: Savings museum entrance, use San Francisco CityPass.
Osher Rainforest
Step inside a four story living rainforest, filled with birds, butterflies, tropical plants, blue and yellow macaws, leaf cutter ants growing a fungus farm, tomato frogs, green day geckos, sun beetles. At the top level are free-flying butterflies - don't be surprised if a large blue Morpho butterfly lands on your hand.
From the Rainforest, the elevator goes directly down into the Amazon flooded forest and Steinhart Aquarium. The walk through tunnel of Amazon fish is mesmerizing, with ancient-looking fish, such as arapaima.
Steinhart Aquarium
On museum main floor is the Swamp tank for Claude, beloved white alligator, and his snapping turtle friends.
In the Aquarium downstairs, check out tanks with marine life of the California Coast, Twilight Zone (marine life deep in the ocean), and Philippine Coral Reef. The aquarium is a unique opportunity for kids to see amazing marine life, inches from your face.
Next to the stairs is a small tank with a large brown fish. This is Methuselah - one oldest living fish in an aquarium. He's an Australian lungfish, over 90 years old. (See photo album.)
African Hall - Don't miss feedings of African penguins in the mornings and afternoons. African Hall is on the main floor.
Curiosity Grove is a play space for little ones (kids 6 and under). Families have fun with games, puppets, books, activities, in a California forest setting.
Morrison Plantetarium
Watch planetarium shows about space, faraway galaxies, and habitat earth. Planetarium is best with older kids, at least 4 years old, and up.
Timed tickets are free, reservation required. In the lobby are signs for planetarium reservations, with QR code on smartphone.
East and West Gardens - Gardens are access to outdoor areas where kids can run around and play.
In the East Garden are play spaces for kids, and seasonal events, such as puppet shows, craft activities, temporary exhibits such as giant animated bugs, live reindeer, and more.
Next to West Garden is the excellent self-service cafe with a wide variety of real (not fast) food, all kid-friendly. Lots of tables indoors and outside.
Living Roof
Take the elevator to the top of the museum and the Living Roof. The roof is planted with native plants that don't need water or fertilizing, and the plants help keep the museum at a comfortable temperature. There are also panoramic views of Golden Gate Park.
