What was old is new again and stands in tribute to San Francisco’s enduring respect for and curiosity about the wonders of nature. The new California Academy of Science is comprised of a natural history museum, aquarium and planetarium all under one roof and is now the largest “green” museum in the world.
The African Hall at the California Academy of Science in San Francisco
Founded in 1853, the Academy is one of the city’s oldest public museums and has been located in Golden Gate Park since 1916. It is recognized throughout the world as a preeminent natural history museum and research center. There aren’t many walls, barriers or dark hallways separating exhibit areas. The new building’s open design promotes easy flow from one area to another while using distinctive guideposts—the planetarium sphere and the four-story-high Rainforests of the World cylinder. The museum’s entry ticket includes access to all exhibits, scheduled shows, and demonstrations and activities. Timed entry passes are used for the planetarium show and special exhibitions. There are three retail shops and two dining venues.
