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.
Oceanside Chamber of Commerce provides businesses with educational and networking opportunities. It aims to act as a pro-active leader and collective voice for businesses within the community. For upcoming meetings and other special events, visit the website.
On land inhabited by the Coast Miwok as many as 12,000 years ago, Mill Valley spawned from a Mexican government land grant to set up Rancho Corte Madera del Presidio on a wide swath of Southern Marin. The grant was issued in 1834 to John Thomas Reed, who built the town's namesake sawmill in Old Mill Park to provide lumber for the new military post being built in the Presidio in San Francisco.
The town was incorporated in September 1900, and the first Town Hall was constructed seven years later. By 1910, the town's population was 2,500 and has only grown to 13,200, as of 2008. The current City Hall was built in 1937. Public buildings and facilities opened throughout the decades, but City Hall remained the hub for local government.
While the Public Safety Building, constructed in the 1970s, is home to the city's police and fire departments, most city agencies are housed at City Hall. City Manager Jim McCann coordinates all city departments through eight department directors, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Director of Planning and Building, Public Works Director, Finance and Human Resources Director, Parks and Recreation Director, City Librarian, and the General Manager of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
On land inhabited by the Coast Miwok as many as 12,000 years ago, Mill Valley spawned from a Mexican government land grant to set up Rancho Corte Madera del Presidio on a wide swath of Southern Marin. The grant was issued in 1834 to John Thomas Reed, who built the town's namesake sawmill in Old Mill Park to provide lumber for the new military post being built in the Presidio in San Francisco.
The town was incorporated in September 1900, and the first Town Hall was constructed seven years later. By 1910, the town's population was 2,500 and has only grown to 13,200, as of 2008. The current City Hall was built in 1937. Public buildings and facilities opened throughout the decades, but City Hall remained the hub for local government.
While the Public Safety Building, constructed in the 1970s, is home to the city's police and fire departments, most city agencies are housed at City Hall. City Manager Jim McCann coordinates all city departments through eight department directors, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Director of Planning and Building, Public Works Director, Finance and Human Resources Director, Parks and Recreation Director, City Librarian, and the General Manager of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
In back of Sonoma City Hall is the Sonoma Valley Visitors Center. Offering complimentary maps of the plaza, and information about local wineries, shops, galleries, gardens, food, and lodging, it's a useful stop for anyone coming to wine country.
The building sits at the end of Sonoma Park's green, where patrons can linger, drink wine, take a walk, or rest on bench before one of the two duck ponds. There are public restrooms outside the building.
Located at the end of Torrance Boulevard, the Redondo Beach Pier was originally built in 1889, and today the pier and neighboring international boardwalk and marina feature more than 50 dining, entertainment and shopping choices. The Pier is a great place to explore with friends and family.
The Pier has excellent sea food that is fresh from the ocean. During the daytime you can stoll the pier looking through the shops and possibly do some fishing while basking in the sun. At night, venues like The Brixton provide live music from local and national touring artists.
The Redondo Pier Association is committed to bringing free community events to the pier throughout the year for everyone to enjoy.
