Cal Academy of Sciences Is for Kids of All Ages

Thank you to the Cal Academy of Sciences, who generously provided my family with tickets for our visit. My family’s honest reviews and opinions are all our own.

The California Academy of Sciences is a truly impressive science museum for Bay Area families and it’s just a quick drive from the East Bay (quick being anywhere from 35-90 min depending on traffic). I recently took my three kids on a Saturday morning and I was pleasantly surprised that each one of them was highly engaged and excited for more than several hours. From the stunning Aquarium and immersive exhibit, to the outdoor space, there’s just so much to see and experience close up, which is exactly what curious kids want to do.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of everything to see at the Cal Academy of Sciences since that would take far too long. Instead, we’ve rounded up our top areas to visit for little and big kids as a starting point for your family from which you can further explore. Let us know your favorite spots in the comments!

Groupon Deal for admission to Cal Academy >

Favorite Exhibits for Little Kids at the Cal Academy of Sciences

Upon arrival at 9:30 am, my kids were already bursting with excitement. Being greeted by a T-Rex in the lobby only further intensified their enthusiasm to epic levels (I’m talking ice cream for breakfast levels). There are so many cool exhibits, but only so much time when you have little children in tow. So if you’re looking for the most impactful exhibits for kids five and under, these are our recommendations:

Tiny Chef, Big Impact: Now through Sept. 2026

My family wasn’t familiar with Tiny Chef before our visit, but we quickly fell in love with this adorable little chef. Best known from the Nickelodeon series, Tiny Chef inspires kids to cook, care for the planet, and appreciate nature. My kids loved playing “restaurant” in Tiny Chef’s kitchen, and just next door, we watched Tiny Chef, Big Impact: The Show in the planetarium. My oldest also had fun on a scavenger hunt to find Tiny Chefs hidden throughout the museum. We managed to spot three before the end of our visit. Learn more about Tiny Chef, Big Impact >

The Steinhart Aquarium (Lower Level)

All my kids like to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but they don’t enjoy the long car ride. Happily, the Aquarium at the Academy more than scratches the sea-creature itch, and then some. What’s so great about all the Aquarium exhibits is that most viewing windows are low enough to be accessible to small children. My kids darted all around looking at all the things, so it was hard to keep track of them at times. Highlights of the lower level Aquarium  the Venom area (spider and scorpions and jellyfish oh my!), and the Philippine Coral Reef. We even saw a scuba diver tidying up the reef and windows.

Between the big kids and little kids, we spent the majority of our time on the lower level enjoying all that the Aquarium and surrounding exhibits have to offer.

Pro-tip: There are some very dark spaces in the aquarium, dress your kids in bright shirts or glow-in-the-dark clothing, or have them wear light-up bracelets so it’s easier to keep track of them.

Find discounted tickets to Bay Area Museums >

The Nature Lab (Level 3)

The “realness” of it all is captivating for little kids. Getting their hands on real specimens, from insects and shark teeth to hawks, is an amazing experience for little kids. My kids couldn’t get enough of exploring and touching everything, and they were excited to see many of the insects we’d read about in their bug books. Being in the Nature Lab feels like stepping into a real laboratory, complete with all the trappings of a scientist’s workspace.

Don’t miss the cute little library nook full of tons of picture books and several toys to further entice children to sit and immerse themselves in a topic that they find interesting. The Nature Lab wasn’t too crowded when we were there, but it did close early before the rest of the museum.

For more tips on the Cal Academy with little kids, check out our Three-Year-Olds’-Guide >>

Curiosity Grove

My youngest kids actually ended up here multiple times. The forest-themed play space, designed especially for little ones, was the perfect place to take a break from the busy museum. They spent time climbing in and out of the tree, crossing the bridge, and playing with the toys and puzzles. Parents will appreciate having a chance to sit and relax since the play area is fully enclosed.

Top Exhibits for Big Kids at the Cal Academy of Sciences

Big kids will surely love the Aquarium, Naturalist Center, and Tiny Chef too, but there are several other attractions that’ll spark older kids’ imaginations, more specifically.

The Osher Rainforest Dome

The Rainforest exhibit on the main floor is truly beautiful and teeming with life, and it was my personal favorite exhibit. My younger kids quickly became uncomfortable with the heat and humidity inside the exhibit, so they practically run-walked their way through before making a beeline for the aquarium. Meanwhile, my oldest and I took our time, wandering among what felt like hundreds of butterflies fluttering around us and stopping at each level to check out the different critters. The highlight of his visit came when a butterfly landed on his arm to rest for a bit.

The Planetarium (Level 1)

Planetarium show tickets are included with the price of admission; check the schedule before arriving if you want to catch all the different showings. When you first arrive at the Academy, take a picture of the QR code for the Planetarium (there are signs at the entrance and near the Planetarium) to make a reservation for the next available show. Don’t sleep on this; the shows fill up quickly. Get in line about 15 minutes before the show.

Children under four aren’t allowed in the Planetarium, and it’s not even recommended for children under seven (your call, though), so keep that in mind if you have children of different ages. We all enjoyed Tiny Chef, Big Impact: The Show, and since the first show was such a success, we decided to push our luck and return for Big Astronomy. They got a little antsy during that one, but made it through the show.

Pro Tip: For those of us who get motion sickness, getting a bit dizzy during a planetarium show is a possibility. Just lay back and close your eyes until the feeling passes.

California: State of Nature

Some of the rotating exhibits pack a huge punch when it comes to keeping my kids entertained. While the natural world of California may not be as immediately exciting as terrifying insects or giant sharks, there’s still plenty to discover. My oldest was especially eager to try the Shake House, an earthquake simulator that recreates some of California’s most powerful quakes. Unfortunately, we ran out of time, but it’s already at the top of our list for our next visit. Find out more about the exhibit on our home state’s ecology >

Pro tip: Before you visit, get your kiddos excited about the exhibit with some fun at-home activities and videos. 

Vivid: Immerse Your Senses: Now through Sept. 2026

All of my kids enjoyed different parts of this exhibit. Each room uses immersive projections and sound to transport you into a unique environment, from exploring underground with bugs to floating on ice in the ocean. Some rooms captivated us enough to watch the entire presentation, while others were a little too creepy for my younger kids, so we kept moving. Their favorite part was the interactive animals at the end of the exhibit, where they could ask animals like a sloth and a bee all kinds of questions and hear their responses.

More to Like: Wander Woods, Living Roof, and Gift Shops

My kids don’t enjoy being indoors for too long, so they eventually made their way outside to Wander Woods, where they could climb, explore, and burn off some energy. We also took the elevator up to the Living Roof, which was pretty darn cool, though there’s not a whole lot to do once you’re up there. Older kids will appreciate the panoramic views and the chance to explore the unique rooftop ecosystem, while my younger kids were just as excited about the elevator ride as the destination.

And lastly, of course, the gift shops, which are strategically placed throughout the museum. There is one at the entrance, as well as the one near Curiosity Grove; these are particularly enticing to kids. In fairness, they are nicely curated, with plenty of learning toys and cool little knick-knacks that won’t break the bank.

Pro-tip: Always have a discussion before entering the museum about what you’re willing to spend at the gift shops, if at all, and when the shopping will occur. 

Getting There and Parking

The Cal Academy has put together a super helpful page about how to get there and where to park, so I’ll direct you there >>

We arrived at 9 am on a Saturday morning and found ample four-hour free parking on Nancy Pelosi Drive next to a large grassy field, where we sat and had snacks before the Academy opened. A warning though: car break-ins are a reality in San Francisco, so make sure not to leave ANYTHING in your car. The Academy has lockers for rent where you can store your stuff. If you prefer to park in a garage, the Music Concourse Garage is only steps away from the Academy’s main entrance and may feel more secure if you’re worried about a break-in. Garages fill up fast on weekends though, so keep that in mind. Your best bet is just to arrive early (9 am) to get parking and avoid traffic.

Advance reservations are not required, but they are highly encouraged. (Thursday night NightLife if you’re looking for a cool date-night idea!)

Plan your Visit to Cal Academy:

Hours:

• Monday–Saturday: 9:30 am–5 pm
• Sunday: 11 am–5 pm

What to Bring:

• stroller for little kids.
• snacks/lunch to eat outside (no food is allowed inside)
• blanket if you want to eat out on the grass
• magnifying glass
• good walking shoes as there’s a lot of ground to cover
• Bright clothes and/or glow bracelets to keep track of everyone

Helpful links:

• Purchase tickets directly >
• Check Groupon for discounted tickets >
• Children 2 & under are free
• Website >
• Address: 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco
• Phone: (415) 379-8000

Bottom Line on Cal Academy:

This place is an iconic landmark in the Bay Area for a reason. It’s located in the beautiful Golden Gate Park; it’s big and clean and offers countless opportunities for you and your kids to learn and have fun, all within a relatively short drive from the East Bay. Yes, it’s expensive, so perhaps consider a membership if your kids are super into it. I know we’ll be back soon since there’s always so much to see and do.