In the final installment of my San Francisco trip tales I’m going to compare and contrast The Aquarium of the Bay with the California academy of Sciences. Both of these attractions are part of the CityPASS, so let’s consider the admission and travel costs as even. Which is better value? Of the two, which has more to see? And ultimately if you could only visit one which would I recommend?
Aquarium of the bay
Located at the infamous Pier 39 The Aquarium of the Bay is one of San Francisco’s main tourist attractions. At $26.95 the Aquarium of the bay is priced comparative to the museums and galleries. Marketed as having over 20,000 aquatic animals it’s popular with kids and adults alike.
Over the course of its 20+ year history, nearly seven million guests have visited the Aquarium of the bay. There are quite a few displays at the Aquarium of the bay including jellyfish, walkthrough tunnels, octopus, frogs, snakes, otters and more.
There were also multiple displays on the impact of humans on the marine environment. While it touts to have many animals I was done within an hour. So this is an ideal attraction for waiting out a rain storm, or for tiring out the kids for a short while. It is not somewhere you are going to spend the whole day. Which for $30 admission is something to consider.
Academy of Sciences
I’ll admit that unless I’d had the CityPASS I would have probably skipped the Academy of Sciences as it’s off the main tourist trap areas. Which would have been a real shame as it is a gold mine for nature enthusiasts and a photographers dream. And as I tick both of those boxes I was in heaven! It’s an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest and natural history museum all under one roof. This is a place for education, science and conservation to meet. It’s somewhere you can sit in wonder at the beauty of nature. Admission is $35.95 and it’s worth every cent.
Academy of Sciences – Aquarium
The whole lower floor is a huge aquarium with walk through tunnels, floor to ceiling displays and tank after tank of animals. Plus an interactive area that you can touch starfish. It is home to the Worlds largest living indoor coral reef, Claude the albino alligator, and over 900 other species. Including fish, snakes, crustaceans, frogs, toads, cephalopods and more.
If you’re curious as to their animals, they have live video cams in the aquarium (and penguin enclosure). In all I spent about 90 minutes in the Aquarium. I would have stayed longer but I had a ticket for the planetarium and I knew that I had the rainforest dome, penguins and natural history area to see too!
Academy of Sciences – Planetarium
There are a few different shows at the Planetarium in the academy of sciences. The show I saw was “expedition reef” learning all about the rainforest of the sea. The show was about 25 minutes and included in the price of entry. It was a great deep dive into why the coral reefs are important and need to be preserved.
This place is big and I still had more to explore so I took a break in the cafeteria to rest and recharge. The cafe is large with indoor and outdoor seating and lots of food options to choose from including sushi, burgers, pasta, soups, sandwiches and snacks.
Academy of Sciences – Rainforest
Also included in the admission fee is the Rainforest sphere! One ticket, all access. This should be a HUGE selling point to anyone with a family as all these little additions and hidden fees at other places add up quickly. The rainforest is a lush, four-story rainforest that’s teeming with life. From free-flying birds to exotic reptiles, amphibians, golden silk orb-weaver spiders, and butterflies that fly overhead.
Academy of Sciences – natural history museum
So far I’d spent almost 4 hours at the Academy of Sciences. I was beginning to wrap up with 3/4 of the attractions here done. The natural history museum is the smallest area. With taxidermy displays of African plain animals culminating in the penguin exhibit. Again there is a live webcam feed of the penguins incase you want to visit without leaving your living room. Of all the exhibits at the California Academy of Sciences the natural history part was the smallest. Yet it still held my attention for a good 30-45 minutes.
Aquarium of the Bay vs The Academy of Sciences
So which is better? The Aquarium of the Bay or the academy of Sciences? While I would ALWAYS advise getting the CityPASS so you can visit both, if you ONLY had time to visit one I’d suggest spending the time and money going to… the Academy of Sciences. Seriously so much better value than the Aquarium of the Bay. It has way more exhibits and wildlife in the ground floor aquarium, plus the planetarium and rainforest are both amazing bonuses.
Questions
Which would you choose if you could only visit one?
What’s your favorite marine/aquarium animal?
Have you been to a planetarium or rainforest dome?
Building a labyrinth at the beach
vishnu lada
i want o visit this place..pics are really very beautiful..
Di Hickman
bucket list vacation!!!
Aditi
Aquariums are always so interesting to go to. I have visited a couple of those while we used to live in Japan and always found them so intriguing and entertaining for my inner child.
Di Hickman
agreed! I could just sit and watch the tanks all day! Probably why I love snorkeling!
Chinedu
This was an awesome post! I would choose the Academy of Sciences in California – it is so multifaceted. My fav marine animal is the lovely penguin but I also like dolphins. I have been to a planetarium in london but I would absolutely LOVE to visit a rainforest!
Di Hickman
I’ve been to the planetarium in london also! Preferred the London one lol!
HilLesha
I have never been to an aquarium, but I have always wanted to visit one. I’d love to see a seahorse up close!
Di Hickman
I actually got to see some really cool creatures. Including sea dragons!
Iya - Louisa
From your description and images I agree the sciences look way better! Also look like better enclosures for the animals they are housing too!
Di Hickman
Exactly! I thought the enclosures were much better at the academy of sciences.
John Sallie
They both do look good but given my many enjoyable visits to the Toronto Science Centre, it most likely would have been my choice as well.
Di Hickman
Yep, just more to see and do!
Dogvills
I would prefer to go to the Academy of Sciences. There is so much to see and learn in there that one day would not be enough for me.
Di Hickman
Definitely I could have spent longer there! Especially looking at the aquarium on the first floor!
Amalia Silva
I love them both but personally would be more inclined to visit the Academy of Sciences as you can learn so much!
Di Hickman
exactly! I agree!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
I totally agree. The Academy of Sciences had that bit more to entice people in and the price difference isn’t much between them. I think both looked great though.
Di Hickman
yep definitely better value for money!
Alison Rost
I honestly cannot choose one because both are awesome! I love how each one can make the trip a fun learning experience for the whole family. It’s really worth visiting both.
Di Hickman
For learning the academy of sciences was definitely better imo!
Geraline Batarra
This is such a nice post and base on this I would choose the Academy of Sciences where in you can see and learn a lot of things from aquarium to the planetarium and from planetarium to rain forest.
Di Hickman
Yep exactly the reason I would choose that over the aquarium of the bay
Mommy Sigrid
Thanks for the comparison between the two, but I would still love to visit both if given the chance. It would be a great learning opportunity for my daughters who are being homeschooled. We love visiting these places.
Di Hickman
For sure! Homeschoolers would LOVE the academy of sciences IMO
Michael Satterfield
Aquarium of the Bay and The Academy of Sciences are both great places to visit but I have to agree that the Academy of Sciences is the better of the two. Great post.
Di Hickman
Yep, definitely more to see and do at the academy of sciences!
Everything on a plate
For us this looks like a dream come true! How we wish we had a place like the academy of sciences in Mumbai.
Di Hickman
Definitely a great way to spend the day!
Wendy Lemeric
Such cool places! My boy would surely love them! Great photos you have there, too!
Di Hickman
Definitely both are great are kids!