Academy Day is a celebration of the Academy’s anniversary, and each year we reflect on the community and philanthropy that make everything we do here possible. On Academy Day, pay-what-you-can tickets ...

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It may be the waddling. Or their sophisticated tuxedoes. Or perhaps it's the fact that they are highly social and form long-term bonds. Whatever the reason, penguins have a knack for capturing our ...

Help everyone stay healthy: It's not required, but we encourage all guests to stay up-to-date on their vaccinations and to mask up indoors. If you’re feeling sick or have been in close contact with ...

Thursdays hit different at NightLife. The museum comes alive after hours–wilder, more curious, and full of exciting creatures. Grab your friends, grab a handcrafted drink, and l ...

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (March 8, 2022) — Though there are hundreds of species of fish found off the coast of the Maldives, a mesmerizing new addition is the first-ever to be formally described—the ...

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (January 7, 2026) — Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences described 72 new animal, plant, and fungi species in 2025, enriching scientists’ understanding of Earth’s ...

Lots of animals live in the ocean - but they aren't all fish! In this lesson, students will learn the characteristics that make an animal a fish, create a model of a fish, and compare it to other ...

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (December 2, 2025) — It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Claude, our beloved albino alligator, has passed away at the age of 30. Claude was an iconic California ...

In FY25, the Academy incurred a cash deficit of $7.3M. For the current fiscal year, the cash deficit is projected to exceed $8.0M. This is due in large part to the costs of maintaining our buildings ...

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (February 18, 2025) — Academy researchers and partners made the first discovery of both a new genus and species of plant in a U.S. national park in nearly 50 years. The ...

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (August 15, 2022) — California now has two new scorpions on its list of species, thanks to the efforts of two keen-eyed high school students from the Bay Area and the California ...