Outside the entrance (2012-3)
| Location |
| 55 Concourse Drive inside Golden Gate Park |
| Hours |
| Mon-Sat: 9:30 am - 5 pm |
| Sun: 11 am - 5 pm |
| Phone |
| (415) 379-8000 |
| Website |
| http://www.calacademy.org |
| Director |
| Gregory C. Farrington, Ph.D., Executive Director. |
| [email protected] |
| Tax ID |
| IRS Section 501(c)(3) organization. |
| Established |
| 1853. |
The California Academy of Sciences is a natural science museum founded in 1853 that includes an aquarium and has carried exhibits on butterflies, birds, venomous animals, the continent of Africa and the chocolate trade, among many others.
The museum was closed between Jan. 13, 2008 and Sept. 27, 2008 while all 38,000 animals and 20 million specimens were moved from the old location at 875 Howard Street, where the museum stood for 3 and a half years, to its new home in Golden Gate Park. This modern "green" facility was designed by architect Renzo Piano, in collaboration with the San Francisco-based Chong Partners. The cost of this project was $488 million, and took three years to complete. The original Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park was demolished because it did not meet seismic standards. A San Francisco Chronicle article about the move can be found here.
Every third Wednesday of each month, you can visit the Academy free of charge. There is also a number of Neighborhood Free Days for San Francisco residents throughout the year. Check their website for dates. Check out a free family pass from the library through their Free Family Adventures program.
2012-3
