There aren't many places where you'll find roughly 40,000 animals in the same building, but the California Academy of Sciences is one of them. Located in Golden Gate Park, the academy is a museum of natural history showcasing the history and envisioned future of life on earth and the environment. The various venues of the museum include a living four-story rain forest, a planetarium dome, and an aquarium housing a variety of marine exhibits.
Best and worst time to go to the California Academy of Sciences
Try to avoid going on school holidays or weekends as the museum can get pretty packed with parents and their children. Weekdays during the school week are ideal, especially in the afternoon since most school field trips come in the morning and are gone by then.
Must see/do at the California Academy of Sciences
Everybody loves penguins, and you can see a colony of them frolicking in the African Hall. Everybody also loves the extremely popular Morrison Planetarium, which is the third-largest completely digital planetarium dome in the world. While everybody make not love humid weather, the immersive experience of the rainforest is worth the sweat.
Admission to the California Academy of Sciences
The cost of admission ranges from $24.95 to $34.95 depending on age, and gives access to all of the museum's exhibits and attractions. Children under 3 are free. The museum also has various days throughout the year that are free of charge. Check their website for more information.
Parking and public transportation at the California Academy of Sciences
There is a city-operated parking garage nearby but is subject to rates imposed by the city and often fills up quickly, so public transportation is your safest bet. The #44 O'Shaughnessy bus stops in front of the building, and the #5 Fulton bus stop just outside of the park. The Amtrak Station at the Ferry Building is also less than a 10-minute walk away.
Food at the California Academy of Sciences
The museum offers two restaurants for food: the Academy Cafe, featuring local favorites, and the Terrace, which puts an upscale spin on fast-casual dining. Both locations offer a variety of dishes that won't break your wallet, with prices ranging from $2 to $17.
Insider tip for visitors to the California Academy of Sciences
Shows at the planetarium require separate tickets, free of charge, that get gobbled up very quickly. If you arrive in the morning, head to the planetarium first to get your tickets before venturing into the museum to be sure you don't get shut out.
Author's bio: Dennis Biles is a freelance journalist who was born and raised in the Bay Area. When he's not writing he can often be found losing his mind at Oakland A's games in the Right Field Bleachers.
The College Park Aviation Museum is located right next door to the College Park Airport. Staff members are more than happy to help teach customers about the history of aviation. Guided tours and $2 tickets for students and children help keep this museum an affordable option for customers. The gift shop serves all kinds of memorabilia for patrons.
The Museum of Arts & Sciences, a Smithsonian Institute Affiliate, houses American art, Chinese art, Cuban art, African artifacts and European exhibits. Among the Americana in the Root Family Museum, visitors will see vintage train cars in a train station, as well as every imaginable item relating to Coca-Cola® through the decades. There's a children's museum with a hands-on science center, plus a planetarium that offers laser light, star shows and rock concerts. The museum, preserve and boardwalk are accessible by wheelchair. Braille signs and audio stations make the preserve accessible to the visually impaired.
Best and Worst Times to go to the Museum of Arts & Sciences
Admission is free to Volusia County residents on the first Tuesday of each month, making it one of the busier days. Exhibits are well maintained, so if your visit is based on a particular selection, you may want to call first to be sure it will be available.
Must See/Do at the Museum of Arts & Sciences
Even the anti-cultural entertainment traveler in your party will enjoy the Root Family Museum with its vast display of Americana and the fully restored 1948 Milwaukee Road Skytop Lounge car. The Planetarium shows provide a nice break. Relax in reclined chairs as you view the night sky. Children enjoy it too. The Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art offers a rich taste of Florida History, dating back to the 1800's. The Florida weather exhibits are especially interesting.
Admission to the Museum of Arts & Sciences
Admission prices for adults is $13-$16; children (6-17) $7-$10. Children age five and under get in free. Student discounts are available. Some Planetarium shows and admission to Cici Hyatt Brown Museum of art cost extra.
Parking at Museum of Arts & Sciences
Parking is free. However, if you don't plan to tour the entire museum and you do care where you begin, pay attention to the parking lot you choose, or you may have a long walk. Follow the signs.
Food at the Museum of Arts & Sciences
There is no café. Coffee, cold drinks and prepackaged snacks are available for purchase in the gift shop.
Insider Tip for Visitors to the Museum
Free wi-fi is available in the gift shop. The museum is situated on 90-acre Tuscawilla Preserve. If the more active members of your group groan at the idea of a museum visit, Tuscawilla Park, next door (north) offers a large disc golf course, nature trails and zip lines.
Author's bio: Edie Schmidt is an internationally published freelance writer in Central Florida. The Root Family Museum is her favorite part of the Museum of Arts & Sciences. See her other interests here.
If you appreciate flowers, plants, trees, and their relationship with the environment, consider visiting the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. This is a 127-acre space with fountains, lagoons, strolling peacocks, and peaceful trails that will fill your senses with color and aromas.
Must see and do at the Arboretum
Queen Anne Cottage – This Victorian style house that was built in 1885 by Elias Jackson Baldwin can be toured on Fridays and Saturdays. Other than its architecture, this house is famous for being in the opening credits of the TV show "Fantasy Island" and for the everlasting rumors that it may be haunted.
Hugo Reid Adobe – The original adobe was built in 1840 using the labor of Native Americans that had lived in the area for many years prior. It was reconstructed in the mid-1900s using their original techniques. You can learn about its history, and of the Tongva Indians, by walking about the structure.
The gardens – They are organized geographically so that you will appreciate the differences between the flora from the Mediterranean, for example, to that of the Americas, Africa, Australia, and more.
Best and worse time to go to the Arboretum
Admission is free on the third Tuesday of the month. However, there are no tram tours on that day.
You may want to catch a lecture, a workshop, or a music concert. There are many listed on the park's calendar at Arboretum.org. On the flip side, if you are not interested in a concert, plan your visit on a different day. They fill up the parking lots to capacity and what is usually free becomes pricey.
Admission to the Arboretum
Admission is under $10. You can pay with cash or with credit card. Some workshops and lectures may have an additional cost.
The Arboretum is located in the City of Arcadia, about 30 minutes northeast of downtown LA. There is public transportation available. You can plan your visit on metro.net.
Wildlife at the Arboretum
Hundreds of peacocks live at the Arboretum. Take some time to admire them as they walk freely throughout the park. They are unafraid of humans because Arcadia has been their home since the late 1800s. You will be amused.
Insider tip of the Arboretum
Wear comfortable shoes as you will do a lot of walking. California's sun is often bright so a hat and sun glasses may be useful.
From June through September the Pasadena Symphony and Pops holds its season at the Arboretum. It is a fabulous way to enjoy a classical music concert under the stars of a balmy California evening. See if your visit matches one of their dates at PasadenaSymphony-pops.org.
Author's Bio: Dena Burroughs has lived in Los Angeles for almost 30 years. She loves palm trees, peacocks, and dancing Salsa. VidaSalsera.com is her own website.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has two miles of walking trails meandering over the property where visitors can see living animals from reptiles to bears and mountain lions -- including an aquarium and a cave. Docents give free demonstrations of plants and small animals.
Best and worst times to go to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Saturdays offer extended hours to 10:00 PM. This is special fun for those who like to find shiny scorpions with black lights. It also gives a chance to see the nocturnal animals. The worst time is after 4:00 PM, when no discounts are available. Afternoons in the summer are very hot. Bring your own bottled water; fountains provide free refills.
Must see at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Many events are scheduled throughout the year. Don't miss the hummingbirds, who are so accustomed to people that the nests are easily seen. Children love the snakes and frogs just within the gates. You may be fortunate enough to catch a docent showing them and letting kids touch them.
Admission to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Admission varies for those 4 and above from about $6:00 to $25.00. Buying a membership gets you in and gives a chance to come back often. Military and student discounts are available; ask at the desk.
Parking at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Unpaved parking wanders among the cactus and mesquite. Handicapped parking is near the entrance. Bus and RV parking is available. If there is an advertised event, nearby parking may fill up early.
Food at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Near the entrance a selection of foods from snacks to fancy dinners is available. Some snacks are available along the trail. Snack prices are a little above in-town prices. The dinners are relatively equal to a good dinner in town.
Insider tip for visitors at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Try the Native American dishes made from cactus and desert plants, a special late-spring event. If you can drive mountain roads, go over Gates Pass, you can see for miles and miles across the desert. Do not touch the soft looking jumping cactus, or the fuzzy looking prickly pear; you'll get a handful of thorns. No pets are allowed, even in the parking area.
Author's bio: Joanne Birch is a freelance writer from the southern mountains of Arizona. She writes tips for parents and about the history of Arizona.
