Live penguins
These photos were taken during the first month of the reopening of the newly-renovated California Academy of Sciences and it represents a tiny fraction of the exhibits, dioramas, and live animals that can be seen at the Academy. The Academy is housed on a building, designed by Pritxker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, with heating, cooling, and life-support systems that are energy-efficient According to the welcome brochure, the California Academy of Sciences is dedicated to scientific discovery and to sharing and protecting the natural world.
Whether you are considering becoming a member (which buys you unlimited access with one guest for a year) or one-time tickets, your money will support scientific research and education. Also note that your membership dues are tax-deductible.
We visited the Academy two months after it reopened and the lines and crowd were heavy and parking was a challenge. We did not see everything that it has to offer so decided to just upgrade the $25 ticket each to a one person membership of $99. They allow you to do that so that you only have to shell out the balance of $49 and membership is good for a year. We were able to see the dioramas, ,aquariums, and an exhibit heavy with natural history and conservation. Kids love the area were under staff guidance, the kids are allowed to pet several aquatic animals like starfishes, sea cucumbers and the like.
The Academy has several standing star attractions like the Steinhart Aquarium that offers the world’s deepest living coral reef display; a four-story rain forest; and a slice of the California coast, complete with crashing waves. Popular must-sees are the live penguins and the albino alligator. Aside from the Steinhart Acquarium, the Academy also house the Morrison Planetarium which offers a virtual travel across the cosmos projected on the 90-foot diameter dome.
Galapagos Island exhibit
School of Gar fishes
Baboon diorama
If you are planning a visit or want to find out how to become a member just visit their site to get more information.
I really want to visit there but haven’t had a chance yet. Thanks for sharing your pictures!
I visited the academy recently and it was quite an experience. I really liked the tropical rain forest and the planetarium. It’s definitely a great place to learn about the environment and some of the species that occupy it.