Once we run out of activity ideas for rainy days and we get stir crazy, we run to the California Academy of Sciences.

There is so much to do under one roof that it keeps both of us entertained for a good part of the day!

Atlas is two years old, so not every section is fun for him. Our current favorites are the aquarium, the rainforest, the African Hall, and the toddler play space.

Aquarium

The aquarium is fun because Atlas gets to run freely and stop to see the fish he wants to see. He runs up to all the big tanks and also loves the tunnel. His favorite display in this section is the bioluminescent display, which is basically a big wall that lights up wherever you touch it.

There is also a Discovery Tide Pool that’s pretty cool, but I think it’s more fit for older kids since you have to be gentle with the sea urchins, starfish, and abalone shells that live there.

Also, for kids five and older the Academy hosts a Penguins + Pajamas sleepover! Kids get to stay the night in the museum next to the fish or their favorite exhibit and get breakfast in the café the next morning. I can’t wait until Atlas is old enough for this.

Rainforest

The rainforest is a huge, four-story glass dome filled with plants, birds, and butterflies—just like a rain forest. There is a ramp you walk up, so if you have a stroller you can take it with you. The best part is at the top where most of the butterflies are. Kids can watch them fly and there are plates of oranges sitting around for them to land on. You are not supposed to touch the butterflies but occasionally they do land on you.

Note: It is warm and humid, just like a rainforest, so prepare to remove some layers!

African Hall

The African Hall is a long hallway with African wildlife dioramas that ends with live African penguins splashing in their tank. The animals in the displays are beautiful and look real! The penguins are fun to watch and keep the little ones entertained. The penguins are most active during feeding times which are 10:30 am and 3:00 pm. Atlas likes to run from display to display over and over. It gets him nice and tired. If you have older kids they will enjoy the interactive displays that teach about evolutionary history.

Shake House

I don’t recommend the earthquake simulation “Shake House” for young toddlers. I took Atlas in there and he was terrified! Definitely a mom fail. But there were kids aged four and up in there who had fun and were not scared. The first ten minutes explain what causes earthquakes and then you go into a room that looks like a home and the two large San Francisco earthquakes are simulated. The whole room shakes while you hold on to rails and there are sound effects to make it feel like you were really in a house when the quakes happened. If your kids get scared like mine, you can exit once the house stops shaking.

Curiosity Grove

This is the forest-themed toddler play area. It was recently renovated and features soft flooring, little tables, tents, toys, murals, and a tree-house for them to play in. It’s a safe place to let young toddlers run around and explore.

The museum is a little pricey compared to others. The entrance fees are:
$35.95 - Adult
$30.95 - Senior
$30.95 - Youth (ages 12–17)
$30.95 - Student (ages 18+ with ID)
$25.95 - Child (ages 4–11)
Children 3 and under, admission is free.

We have a membership, which I think is totally worth it if you live in the city. Also there are free days and community access programs. For info on those, you can read their admissions page here.

This is a great place to visit rain or shine. It’s is guaranteed to keep you and your kids entertained and educated for hours! It is the only place you can see an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum all under one roof—a LIVING roof! The Academy is located in Golden Gate park at 55 Music Concourse Drive.

Enjoy!

Ana

Cuando nos quedamos sin ideas de nuevas actividades para los dias de lluvia y nos estamos enloqueciendo, nos vamos al Museo de la Academia de Ciencias.

Hay mucho que hacer alli , todo en el mismo lugar y nos mantiene entretenidos a los dos dudrante una buena parte del dia.

Atlas tiene dos anos y no todas las secciones son divertidas para el. Actualmente nuestras actividades preferidas son el acuario,El bosque lluvioso, el salon africano y el espacio para los ninos pequenos jugar.

El acuario es divertido para Atlas porque puede correr libremente parando para ver el pez que quiere ver. El corre hacia todos los grandes tanques y tambien le encanta el tunel. Su pantalla favorita en esta seccion es la paantalla bioluminiscente que es basicamente una gran pared que se ilumina donde sea que la toquen.

Tambien hay una piscina con animales marinos llamada " Discovery Tidepool" que les permite tocar los animales marinos, pero pienso que es para ninos mas grandes debido a que hay que tocar los animales con mucha delicadeza.

La Selva:

Esta es una enorme cupula de cristal de cuatro pisos llena de plantas , pajaros y maripososas como un bosque lluvioso. Hay una rampa por la que caminas para mirar todo, asi que si tienes coche lo puedes llevar. la mejor parte es la parte de arriba donde paras para ver todas las mariposas que hay alli.

Tengan en cuenta que es humedo y calido al igual que un bosque tropical, asi que preparense para quitarse algunas capas de ropa.

Pasillo Africano:

Este es un largo pasillo con dioramas de vida silvestre africanos que termina con pinguinos africanos vivos chapotendo en su tanque. ! Los animales en las pantallas son hermosos y parecen reales! Los pinguinos son divetidos de ver y entretienen a los mas pequenos. A Atlas le gusta pasar de una pantalla a la otra una y otra vez, lo cual lo pone agradable y cansado.

La casa que tiembla:

No recomiendo la simulacion de terremotos "Shake House" para ninos pequenos , ! lleve a Atlas ahi y estaba aterrorizado! definitivamente una falla de mama. Pero habian ninos de cuatro anos que no tuvieron miedo y se divirtieron.

Curiosity Grove:

Esta es una zona de juego tematico del bosque para los ninos jugar y disenada especialmente para estimular su imaginacionl. fue recientemente renovada y cuenta conpisos suaves, mesitas, tiendas de campana, juguetes, murales y una casa en el arbol para que jueguen. Es un lugar seguro para que el pequeno pueda correr y explorar .

Las entradas al museo son un poco caras a comparacion con otros, las tarifas de entrada son:
$35.95 - Adulto
$30.95 - personas mayores de 55
$30.95 -Jovenes (edades 12-17)
$30.95 - Estudiante (mayores de 18 anos con identificacion)
$25.95 -Ninos (edades de 4 a 11)
Ninos de 3 años y menores entran gratis.

Nosotros tenemos la membrecia para el año, me parece que es buena idea y vale la pena si vivies en la ciudad de San Francisco.

Tambien hay dias de entrada y programas de acceso a la comunidad. Para obtener informacion sobre ellos, puedes leer su pagina de admisiones aqui.

Este es un lugar para visitar llueva o no. Es garantizado que tanto los padres como los ninos estaran entretenidos y educados durante horas. Es el unico lugar donde puedes ver un acuario, planetario, y un museo de historia natural, todo bajo un mismo techo, Un Techo CON VIDA.

A disfrutar!!!