How to get Discounts, Deals & Freebies at Cal Academy
California Academy of Sciences, in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, has so much to offer we want to go again and again. Maybe that’s why Condé Nast Traveler named it one of the “New Wonders of the World.”
The museum features a world of fun, with an aquarium, planetarium, four-story living rainforest, live coral reef, thousands of live animals, state-of-the-art space show, a natural history museum, and more all under a living roof. And all this is included in the ticket price.
On this page: I’ll tell you how to save with the popular Skip The Line deal, the Nightlife deal, the Free Days, and other ways to save, like with Combo Passes, the Transit and AAA discounts, the best place to park, and other savvy tips for enjoying your trip to the California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park.
Best Time To Go to Cal Academy
One of my favorite times to go to Cal Academy is during the winter when they feature a holiday program with live reindeer, indoor snow flurries, a giant Snowman Theater, and special fun activities.
You’ll enjoy festive performances by musicians, cultural groups, and the famous Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, and hands-on exhibits that show you how reindeer adapt, stay warm, stay afloat when crossing icy rivers, and how they find food in the harsh Arctic winter.
No matter when you go, you’ll find a full day of fun things to do (most people stay for around four hours). The savvy way to go is to get skip-the-line tickets online, which are good for a year, so if you change your mind, you can still use them later. Depending on whey you get tickets, the price may not be better.
If you’d rather go on a free admission day, keep reading. Locals have special free days available. Not a local? The Academy of Sciences offers quarterly free days for everyone. Scroll down this page for details.
Cal Academy discounts may not be what they used to be. They stopped offering regular discounts and coupons to upgrade their brand, based on advice from an outside consultant, according to my contact there. (You’ll still see coupon sites advertising Cal Academy coupons and discounts, but they will lead you to a dead end, or to the same prices you can get at the door).
You can still find savvy ways to save on tickets. The best deal now is to go with a combo pass. These are way better than they used to be. The best option is the “Build Your Own” San Francisco Card (see below), because you can select as few as two activities (or as many as you want) to and save 30 percent or more on both/all, and you have an entire month to use them up.
Plus you can get the passes online and show on your smart phone (or print a voucher if you prefer). My second choice would be the CityPASS, but these are all worth a look, depending on your plans.
Cal Academy Discount Tickets: 7 Ways to Save
The Cal Academy ticket offers listed below include admission to everything at the museum, and that means all the amazing special exhibits, too. Note: No Cal Academy coupons are available at this time.
- Skip-The-Line Tickets: The way to get California Academy of Sciences Skip-The-Line + Go Any Day tickets is online only, via one of the Academy’s ticket partners (with no coupon code needed). NOTE: During peak days (around the holidays and summers), prices sometimes go up. Skipping the long line outside during busy days is the way to go, especially during holidays and summer. And if you change your plans, you can just use these tickets later because they are “Any Day” tickets. When you get tickets elsewhere you typically have to choose the date of your visit when you order.
- Peak Season Deals: If you get your tickets directly from Cal Academy during peak holiday and summer days, you’ll pay peak prices, which can be several dollars more. Our travel partner often has the lower price longer because the museum can be slow getting their prices changed everywhere (compare prices). Like many museums, they bump up admission fees during busy seasons. But they don’t always get around to telling their ticket partners to do the same. This makes the deals listed above even savvier.
- Go San Francisco Pass: {best price} This can be the best way to save on tickets, with a discount from 30% to 55% depending on how many attractions you select. What I like about this deal is that they give you a custom option so you can choose as few as two attractions (like Cal Academy and Aquarium of the Bay, for example) and save on both. Or you can choose to do more. You have 30 days from the time you visit the first attraction to visit them all. Best of all, you can either show it on your smart phone or print a voucher to show at the door.
- San Francisco CityPASS: {best price} A discount card that provides free admission to six Bay Area attraction including the California Academy of Sciences. Saves you $57 overall, and you have nine days to use it up.
- AAA Discount: If you’re a AAA sometimes offers a discount. Check with your CA AAA representative.
- Public Transportation Deal: Get $3 off anytime when you take public transportation or ride a bicycle to the museum. Simply show your public transportation ticket or bicycle.
- Library Discount: The Academy works with several Bay Area programs to make museum passes available to anyone through libraries and social service organizations. Learn more via Discover & Go.
- Military Discount: Present a valid military ID or proof of service (VA card or DD-214) at the ticket window when you go to get $3 off daytime general admission (for active-duty military only, not your family, friends, or dependents).
NIGHTLIFE at California Academy of Sciences
Even if you missed the recent $2 off Nightlife deal, you can still get skip-the-line tickets and go hang with the animals and the party animals without waiting in the horrendous line with the rest of the crowd.
Nightlife admission is only $12 (less than have the price of daytime tickets). You can get tickets for this price at the door. Better yet, you get them online here via our link and skip the long line out front.
Cal Academy Nightlife Deals
California Academy of Sciences holds adults-only evening mixers called Cal Academy Nightlife every Thursday. These are theme parties with DJs and drinks. Nightlife is every Thursday night 6pm – 10pm. They offer a couple of deals:
- Skip-The-Line Nightlife Tickets — Tickets are for general admission but around half the price you’d pay to go during the day. AND, if you get these online here you can skip the long ticket line out front. AND the tickets are good for any Nightlife (up to the expiration date about a year from now as of this writing). So if you don’t end up going this week, you can use your ticket later. Price is now $15 (used to be $12 but with the success of this event the price went up). Print your voucher and go whenever you want. Look for the sign out front for speedy entry.
Cal Academy earthquake exhibit
FREE DAYS at California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences offers a couple of ways to get in free throughout the year. Follow the links below for specific dates. (These change often so I don’t want to post them here.)
- CAL ACADEMY FREE 3-DAY CELEBRATIONS: California Academy of Sciences now holds three days of free days twice a year. Follow the previous link to find out the dates for the next one.
- SAN FRANCISCO LOCAL FREE DAYS: Cal Academy offers Neighborhood Free Days by San Francisco zip code. Each visiting adult is limited to six children for free entry. You’ll need to show proof of residency. Follow the link above for free days in your SF district.
Know Before You Go
Tickets: You can get tickets at the door, or save time and skip the line with this Cal Academy ticket offer mentioned above.
Hours: Open daily except for certain holidays. REGULAR HOURS: Daily 9:30am – 5pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm. Closed on Christmas Day. Nightlife is on Thursday nights from 6pm – 10pm. See closed and blackout days on the ticket page. Closed December 25.
Address: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118 (in Golden Gate Park).
Where to Park: Parking is easy in the parking garage next to the museum, but is far from cheap. You can usually find free parking on the side streets near and behind the museum.
Public Transportation: First off, BART doesn’t stop within walking distance. (If you’re using BART, ride to one of several transfer stations and catch Muni’s N line.) Other transit options on this CAS “Getting Here page.
The Planetarium: Book your time as soon as you walk in the door! You’ll be sorry if you don’t. It’s free with your tickets, but you need to reserve your spot, first come first served.
How Long to Stay: Most people spend about four hours in the museum. You can take a lunch break on site in the museum’s restaurant or snack area.
Get the free App: Just before you go, get the free Cal Academy app. Called the Cal Academy Insider, this free iPhone app helps you navigate the museum, provides supplemental exhibit info, suggests self-guided tours, and makes sharing easy (via email, Twitter, Facebook).
Did You Know: A little trivia to share with your friends and family — California Academy of Sciences has been called the ‘Greenest’ Museum in the World and is Platinum LEED certified.
We have two young, budding scientists. They both want to be veterinarians; it’s what they have talked about – every day – for two more than two years. They are our adopted (former foster) children – ages 4 and 7. They love the California Academy and would like the chance to visit again. They need to see and study animals to help their dreams come true.
I would LOVE to take my daughter back to the Academy of Science. We went when it first opened and due to being unemployed, it’s not likely I’ll be going anytime soon.
When I was younger I visited the old California Academy of Sciences. It was one of the most enriching, fun, educational moments in my youth. I am now mentoring a middle school youth living in East Oakland. I want to be able to share what I experienced when I was younger with him as well as see the new California Academy of Sciences and experience something new together. It would be a great chance to fuse our generations together in an educational environment. As a bonus he would be psyched to know that we won the tickets and I would too!!
We had great times last year when we received a one year gift membership from the grandparents. This year we do not have membership (just too expensive for the budget) but my kids keep asking for the rain forest and the spiders. We have many great memories of the Cal Academy and wish that someone gives us a special gift again! Please, pretty please!!!!!
Thanks, Adrienne
My best memory was on Mothers day two years ago; we took a big family trip and went and saw the rainforest, all the butterflies were amazing! Now that my son is walking and able to appreciate i would love another family trip.
My favorite exhibit is the rainforest. I remember standing there as still as a tree with my arms extended and having the butterflies land on my hand. I would love to win tickets so I can visit and also bring a friend with me.
You’re right, we haven’t had one of those lately. I’ll put it on the short list and see what I can arrange.
We are new to the Bay Area and everyone we’ve met here says we should go to the California Academy of Sciences, but we haven’t had the opportunity to make a trip up there yet. My son is turning 10 on St. Patrick’s Day, and this would really make a wonderful, very special birthday surprise trip!
We can spend ALL day and would love to – soon! Your butterflies are dreamy and all the reptiles are so colorful & amazing. Claud was so great as Santa Claud during Christmas time. Please keep up the good work and continue reaching out to the community – more people need to have access to your site!!!
We took our 6yr son there last January for the first time as his birthday treat and he hasn’t stopped taking about how great it is,so it would be wonderful to win and take him again for his 7th birthday treat. Here’s hoping :))
We visited the Cal last summer for the first time and my son got fascinated! We still talk about how fun the visit to Cal was, but never had a chance to go there again since then.
Please enter me in the contest to win the complimentary tickets. I love going to the Academy, however, It’s been difficult in this economy to maintain an annual membership. The first year I was given a membership for my birthday, I visited 4-5 times. It’s a great place to visit, and the Cafe has many great eating options.
Yes, you use the code on their site at checkout. I’ve tested this out and it works.
Ooh! Any chance the 20% off membership deal will be back in the future? That would make my year. 🙂
Yes, that is currently the best deal for Cal Academy, unless you want to go for the custom card, with two or more attractions to save 15%. My contact at California Academy of Sciences says they are gearing down the discounts except for the CityPASS and Go Card offers where the discount is nonspecific. Actually we were surprised to even see this 10% off deal still out there.
Heads Up: If you’re following this California Academy of Sciences discount tickets thread, check out the new Holiday ticket deals and save $6, or save $5 and skip the holiday lines.
Hi bb — I just checked and both deal sources in my post do still show cheaper prices. What may be confusing is that these are about what the full price tickets were earlier this year.
But if you check, you’ll see that Cal Academy now charges Peak Pricing for summer (one of their busy seasons). For example, their adult tickets are now $34.95. The two ticket sources featured in my post both have cheaper prices than that (until further notice). And one of them lets you skip the peak season line out front. Take another look.
Wow! a Family 4pak of tickets to California Academy of Sciences would make a super Christmas Present.
Thanks and Merry Christmas to you, too…
Thanks! The discount code worked great, saved me $15.99!
That’s great Becca — I’m glad lots of folks are enjoying this special offer. It’s one of my favs.
I love the aquarium exhibits. So many different fish from all over the world. It’s amazing! The rainforest area is also great.
We have not had an opportunity to go the California Academy of Sciences but have always wanted to! I would love to take my family to experience the entire museum.
Last time we visited CalAcademy, my daughter didn’t want to leave the toddler room. We need to go back so we can see the other exhibits!
I haven’t been since I was a kid. I always loved checking out the alligators. I have not been yet since it was re-done and have been wanting to go for a long time. I would love to win tickets so I could take my niece and nephew. 🙂
Being able to look up and down in the different levels of The Rainforest is an outstanding memory for me. We’d love to win.
I want to see the albino alligator!
One very small thing that sticks in my memory, but I love the jellyfish that swim upsidedown. I would like to be entered to win the tickets.
I have been wanting to visit the new California Academy of Sciences since it opened but have been unable for two reasons: $ and, one time we went after it just opened and we couldn’t get in, it was all sold out! We live a good hour away, so it takes planning to go. But I have so many memories of the original Academy: I used to love the planetarium shows and the dinosaur and Savannah exhibits with the sounds of the terrain. I used to also love looking at the Geological exhibits of rare stones. Thanks!
We really want to go! We tried to go the first winter but the lines were crazy. Now, we just can’t afford to go so free tickets would be a welcome treat. (we are in school on Wednesdays now)
We haven’t been to the new Academy of Sciences yet, mainly because of the cost. We would love some free tickets!!!
I still remember the two headed snake when I visited the Academy as a teenager so many years ago. I haven’t visited the new Academy since it was redone.
I haven’t been since I was a child. Then I always liked seeing the penguins.
The museums amazing, but you can’t go and not stop at the café! I wanna win!
We’ve taken the kids once & we all had a great time. Cal Academy is world class and really like 4-museums-in-1. The rainforest and the aquarium underneath are unique and amazing. We’d love to go back.
My son can’t get enough of the fish tank – we’ve spent all day here! Love it!
Love the rainforest exhibit! Need to return to experience the planetarium!!
I have a fascination with natural sciences as long as I can remember. I have dreamed of having the chance to see the Academy of Sciences. I regularly go on their website to see the latest information. I would love to win this contest!
I haven’t been to the new Academy of Sciences because it’s on the expensive side – winning tickets would remove that excuse!
My infant is always mesmerized by the fish at the aquarium!! Never too young to visit….He loves it there!
Going to get my tickets today!! My daughter loves this place – going to take her and a few friends for their birthday! Would love some free tickets!!
I haven’t been to the newly designed Academy of Sciences yet, can’t wait. Here it is wonderful, especially the rainforest. Hope to win tickets.
Love Cal Academy of Sciences – never get tired. Love the acquarium exhibit the best!
I would love to take my wife and daughter to this. We have never been to the new Academy but have been trying to get there!
I love to take my parents and grandmother and aunt to see the new Academy.
They haven’t been back to the Academy since they first immigrated to the U.S. It’s been about
25 years now. It would be great to show them the changes since then.
God I’d love to take my daughter and Mom to the California Academy of Sciences. I just haven’t been able to afford it. Hopefully this museum experience will prompt them to seek out other similar places. Thanks!
California Academy of the Sciences is one of the best learning experiences. Would love to win the tickets!
I’m so…Excited to find this site!! I’m in LOVE!! It would be a great day in S.F. with my family!
I’ve been good this year, and asked Santa for free tickets to the Cal Academy! I’d love to see the Yukon reindeer graze on the Living Roof and maybe catch Santa climbing through a Rainforests of the World window!
My sweetheart is moving here from Malawi, Africa next month – I would love to be able to take him to the Academy as part of his introduction to the Bay Area!
As a day-care teacher, I took our class to the Academy every summer, as it offers soo much for kids of all ages! I’d really love to take our grandkids now, for the same reason as always. Thanks for this great opportunity, Hannah.
I love the California Academy of Sciences and what it has to offer! Perfect choice for family outing or a romantic date!
I’d love to be entered in the drawing for the tickets! I am a science educator in California, and could spend SO much time with my family there…if I could afford it.
My 2 year old would love to win four (4) complimentary tickets to the Cal Academy of Sciences!! He could bring his favorite grandma and grandpa! Happy Holidays!
We are new to the Bay area and have used this site many times with excellent results. We rely on your website as a way to get acquainted with our new community. Thanks a bunch!!!
Went there once on a very busy day and didn’t get to see everything. Would like to go back.
I would love to take my three children to see the CA Academy of Science! They would love it!
As a kid, I came to the museum full of wonder and now I return with my 3 kids to return the favor ! I would appreciate the tickets so……
Yay tickets! Would love to have an opportunity to go to CalAcademy.
I’d love to take my son and we could visit the albino alligator! I remember him from my childhood visits there.
Going to Cal Academy makes me smile and excited for life everytime I visit. I hope to visit again soon!
Would love to see the winter special exhibits. Reindeer in SF! How cool is that? Thanks!
We’ll be home in the SF Bay Area next year. Would love to visit the Academy of Sciences while on our trip.
i’d love to come visit claude!
I’d love to visit the rainforest again and see the film at the planetarium.