Health & Safety at the Academy

I’m a member. Do I still need to make a reservation?
Nope! As of January 20, 2022, members and donors no longer need to reserve tickets online. Instead, simply show your new digital membership card and photo ID at the member entrance for admission.

How do I purchase tickets?
We strongly recommend that guests purchase tickets online in advance to guarantee availability on busy days. Tickets are available up to 3 months in advance.

Here’s how:

1. Head to our Buy Tickets page and select your ticket. 
2. Select your visit date. Click the dropdown menu to select a visit date. Unless otherwise noted, the Academy is open daily, Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Members-only hours are Tuesday, 8:30–9:30 a.m. and Sunday, 10-11 a.m. Feeling flexible? Select Anytime Admission and visit anytime within the next year, and enjoy skip-the-line perks at popular attractions.
3. Select your ticket quantity. Indicate how many Adults (19+), Youth (13–18), and Children (3–12) are in your party. Children 2 and under always visit for free.
4. Click Add to Cart to proceed to checkout. After completing your purchase, you will receive your tickets via email. On the day of your visit, please be sure to have your tickets ready for scanning, either on your smartphone (brightness all the way up, please!) or printed out.

Are discounted tickets available online?
At this time, the following discounted tickets are not currently available online and must be purchased or redeemed at the Academy ticket window:

• Museums for All: $5 Daytime Admission and NightLife (21+) tickets are available year-round for EBT/CalFresh, WIC, Lifeline Pass, and Medi-Cal cardholders. Simply present your card at the ticket window to purchase your $5 tickets. Limit 4 per group per visit (2 for NightLife); not valid for special events.
• Sustainable transportation discount: Enjoy $3 off Daytime Admission tickets when you walk, bike, or take public transit to the Academy.
• Military discount: Active-duty military personnel enjoy $3 off Daytime Admission tickets with valid military ID or proof of service (e.g., VA card or DD-214).
• Discover & Go: Library cardholders 14 and older can check out passes good for free Academy admission at participating libraries from San Francisco to Sacramento. Select your library system and log in, or contact your local branch for details.

Questions about any of these discounts? Please email us at info@calacademy.org.

Can I visit the Academy with San Francisco CityPASS® tickets?
Yes. Simply buy CityPASS® online for instant, paperless mobile ticket delivery. Next, present your CityPASS® tickets at the ticket window to receive the next available entry time—no advance reservations needed. Learn more about saving 46% off admission with CityPASS®.

Can I bring my class on a field trip?
Yes. School field trip reservations are available for formal California school groups of students in grades pre-K through 12, including preschool. To read more and apply, visit our School Field Trips page.

Can I bring a group?
If sufficient ticket quantities are available for your desired date, you are welcome to purchase tickets for up to 20 members of your group. Learn more on our Groups page.

How do guests enter the Academy?
Guests still enter the Academy at our main entrance at 55 Music Concourse Drive, but additional health and safety measures are in place to protect guests and staff. Please take note of the following for a safe, speedy entry:

• Please have your tickets ready for scanning, either printed out or displayed on your smartphone—brightness all the way up, please!

Can I buy tickets at the door?
We strongly recommend that guests purchase tickets online at least one day in advance to guarantee availability on busy days. Tickets are available up to 3 months in advance.

Please note that at this time, the following discounted tickets are not currently available online and must be purchased or redeemed at the Academy ticket window:

• Museums for All: $5 Daytime Admission and NightLife (21+) tickets are available year-round for EBT/CalFresh, WIC, Lifeline Pass, and Medi-Cal cardholders. Simply present your card at the ticket window to purchase your $5 tickets. Limit 4 per group per visit (2 for NightLife); not valid for special events.
• Sustainable transportation discount: Enjoy $3 off Daytime Admission tickets when you walk, bike, or take public transit to the Academy.
• Military discount: Active-duty military personnel enjoy $3 off Daytime Admission tickets with valid military ID or proof of service (e.g., VA card or DD-214).
• Discover & Go: Library cardholders 14 and older can check out passes good for free Academy admission at participating libraries from San Francisco to Sacramento. Select your library system and log in, or contact your local branch for details.

Is there a time limit for Academy visits?
Take your time! While the average guest stays for about three hours, you are welcome to enjoy the Academy safely for as long as you like. Become a member to support science and enjoy unlimited admission year-round.

Can I re-enter after leaving the building?
Yes. If you plan to re-enter the Academy later in the day, please ensure you receive a hand stamp before exiting.

How will the Academy ensure guests experience the museum safely?
In addition to our health and safety recommendations, a little common courtesy goes a long way:

1. Be patient. Academy staff may ask you to wait for other groups to exit before entering certain spaces.
2. Limit lingering. Channel your inner fish and keep it moving through the museum to help reduce “schooling” in front of exhibits.
3. Be polite and stay to the right. Please yield to faster groups and let people pass on your left whenever possible.
4. Resist the urge to run. We know it’ll be hard for kids to contain their excitement, but please do your best to encourage little ones to slow down indoors. Outdoor play is encouraged in the East and West Gardens!

What can I expect at NightLife?
We’ve made some adjustments to in-person NightLife events to help keep guests safe. At this time, NightLife capacity is limited and advance purchase is strongly recommended. View upcoming events here. As always, all guests must be 21+ with a valid, physical photo ID to attend. For those unable to attend in person, the Academy will continue to offer its free virtual NightSchool programs—informal online "classes" with an eclectic mix of science and culture—streaming live (and available as recordings afterwards) on the Academy’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Am I required to purchase a planetarium pass in advance in order to see a show during NightLife?
Yes. Due to high demand for planetarium shows during NightLife events, reserved planetarium passes ensure that guests have the opportunity to guarantee a seat, reduce wait times, and better plan their night. Passes must be purchased online in advance for an additional $5, and most NightLife events have showtimes at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30 pm. A limited number of standby seats will be available for all showtimes as space allows on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can I select a specific planetarium seat with my pass?
No, there is no assigned seating in the planetarium. We suggest you arrive 15 minutes before your showtime for choice seating.

How can I find out which shows are playing during NightLife before I purchase a pass?
A weekly program schedule, including planetarium shows, is available on each NightLife event page. Please note: Scheduled programming is subject to change prior to each event date.

What happens if I miss my reserved showtime? Can I exchange or get a refund?
Unfortunately, refunds are not available for planetarium passes. If you miss your reserved showtime or arrive after the planetarium doors have closed, our staff will do their best to accommodate entry to a later show if space permits. If you know you won’t be able to attend the event or would like to exchange for a different showtime, we are happy to exchange your planetarium pass for another date or time up to three days in advance of the event date. After that time, no exchanges can be made.

I’ve already purchased a NightLife Plus ticket. Do I still need to purchase a reserved planetarium pass?
No, all NightLife Plus tickets include entry to the 8:30 p.m. planetarium show. This is included in the cost of your NightLife Plus Ticket.

What dining options will be available during NightLife?
Food and beverages are available for purchase in the Academy Café and West Garden​ from 6-9:30 p.m. and include ​a variety of grab-and-go options, craft cocktails, and more​. All food and drink must be enjoyed in the Café or outdoors in the East or West Garden.

Can I re-enter the event after exiting?
For your safety, we’re no longer offering re-entry hand stamps. If you wish to re-enter after exiting, you will need to purchase a new NightLife ticket.

Are NightLife Plus experiences available?
Yes. NightLife Plus guests enjoy a private lounge, two complimentary cocktails and snack, priority entry to Osher Rainforest, reserved planetarium seating, and 10% off at the Café and retail stores. Please note that masks may be required at some portions of the tour portion of the NightLife Plus experience. Learn more!

Are there still public programs and demonstrations during the day?
Yes. We've resumed a variety of daily scheduled programs, and will continue to present “pop-up” programs where Academy staff will host spontaneous, exciting, educational mini-programs throughout the day on every floor, in the East and West Gardens, and on our Living Roof.

Are daytime VIP Tours available?
Yes. Book a VIP Tour to explore the secrets of the Academy as you spend an hour behind the scenes learning more about how the museum works—and what it takes to house nearly 46 million specimens. For ages 8+. Tour includes stairs and unpaved paths, and masks are required during some portions of the tour. 

VIP Tour ticket price does not include Daytime Admission. You will have the opportunity to add a VIP Tour to your order when reserving your tickets online.

What dining options are available?
The Academy Café serves a variety of family-friendly food and beverage options, as well as Andytown Coffee drinks. Guests are welcome to dine in the Café or in any of our outdoor spaces.

The Terrace Restaurant serves seasonal dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients, plus beer and wine.

Hours for both of our restaurants vary; please view our Dining page for more information.

Can I eat inside?
While indoor eating and drinking is limited to the Academy Café at this time, our East and West West Garden spaces offer abundant outdoor seating.

Can guests bring their own food?
Guests are welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Please head to the East Garden to consume items brought from home.

Is the Academy Store open?
Yes, the Academy Store is open daily.

Is cash accepted?
Cash is accepted at all points of sale inside the Academy except locker rental, but cashless payments are preferred whenever possible. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Are elevators in service?
Yes, elevators are in service. For the comfort of other guests, please maintain a courteous distance when using elevators.

Are lockers available?
Yes, lockers are located just off the main lobby and are available for rent for $5 per day for standard-size lockers and $8 per day for family-size lockers. Lockers are checked frequently and cleaned and disinfected daily. Payment for lockers is by credit card only.

Will I be able to rent a wheelchair?
Yes, wheelchairs are available for guests to use during their visit. Please see a Guest Experience staff member in the Lobby for assistance when you arrive. Wheelchairs are cleaned and disinfected after every use.

Don’t see your question here? We’re here to help. Please contact us at info@calacademy.org or 415-379-8000 between 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday or 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on weekends.