Happy 172nd birthday to the California Academy of Sciences! Join the esteemed SF museum’s “Academy Day” next Friday, April 4, 2025 and enjoy all sorts of special festivities. It all starts with pay-what-you-can pricing starting at $5 while supplies last—a remarkable deal considering that general admission usually sets you back $49.
Academy Day festivities
Academy Day is a wonderful opportunity to experience all the Academy has to offer, but here are a few special activities to look out for in honor of the museum’s 172nd birthday.
Launch of “Claude Cam”
Claude the albino alligator may be the Academy’s most famous animal resident. Join the museum in launching their brand-new live cam of Claude’s enclosure, which allows you to see him swimming, snacking, and resting on his favorite rock. The Academy will debut the live cam with a virtual launch from 9:30-10am on YouTube, and a live ribbon-cutting and presentation from 10:30-11am.
Pop-up attractions
- Science Fair – From 9:30-4pm, check out the one-day-only Science Fair in the Piazza. Executive director and paleontologist Scott Sampson will give a formal welcome at 10am, and the fair will include live demos from Academy staff.
- Buddy from Dinosaur Train – If your kids are fans of the PBS show Dinosaur Train, they’ll be excited to see the show’s star Buddy wandering around the Academy gardens from 9:30am-5pm.
- Lindsay Wildlife Animal Scales and Tails – Meet animal ambassadors in the East Garden from 12-3pm.
- Live music – The San Francisco Conservatory of Music Jazz Trio will perform from 9-11am on the Concourse.
- Photo booth – Get pics at a photo booth from 10am-4pm at the Aquarium entrance.
- Face painting – Talented face painters will be on-site to transform you into your favorite Academy animal.
New exhibitions
- Dino Days – See thirteen oversized, animatronic dinosaurs in the East and West Gardens. The exhibition just opened in March and will last through September 1st.
- Unseen Oceans – Wander through the deep sea with large models of plankton, dramatic 3D re-creations of the ocean floor, and a replica cockpit of a Triton submersible. See Unseen Oceans now through September 7th.
In addition to the aforementioned programming, Academy Day will also celebrate the launch of the Regeneration Circle, a new donor community dedicated to developing even more future Academy initiatives.
And finally, if you’re a fan of NightLife, consider getting tickets for NightLife: Academy Eve on Thursday, April 3rd. This after-hours, 21+ event will feature an auction where you can bid on penguin paintings, mystery bags from the Golden State Warriors, and more.
What else can you see at the California Academy of Sciences?
If this is your first time visiting the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, consider reading our guide to help you make the most of your time there. There’s a lot to see in the world-famous museum, from the 4-story indoor rainforest to the Morrison Planetarium. Don’t forget to check out the view from the Living Roof.
History of the California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences was founded in San Francisco on April 4, 1853, but it wasn’t until 1874 that it opened its first public museum on Grant Avenue. The museum later moved to a location on Market Street in 1891, which ended up being destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fires.
In 1916, the Academy finally moved to its current location in Golden Gate Park, building out its exhibition spaces for decades up until the $500M remodel in 2008.
Now, in 2025, we’re excited to celebrate the 172nd anniversary of California’s oldest operating museum and research institution.