,url-https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripexpert.com%2Fimages%2Fmarker-fade%402x.png(-122.46849,37.771572)/-122.46742196381092,37.77074601145248,15.59812121939483/1280x214@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoidHJpcGV4cGVydHdlYiIsImEiOiJja2Fud3l2MDcwbXZ0MndyeGF3eGI3ZWhzIn0.zLqNa1RECyZZadF8zfQM5w)
California Academy of Sciencesvsde Young Museum
Both are endorsed by experts. On balance, California Academy of Sciences scores slightly better than de Young Museum. California Academy of Sciences has a TripExpert Score of 95 with accolades from 13 reviews such as Concierge, Time Out and Condé Nast Traveler.
California Academy of Sciences
Fodor's
Concierge
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Condé Nast Traveler
Afar Magazine
Where
Atlas Obscura Atlas Obscura Travel + Leisure Show All Reviews
55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118
From $0/night
Fodor's "The Cal Academy is one of the city's most spectacular treasures." Full review
Concierge "The California Academy of Sciences is as renowned for its collection—over 26 million specimens gathered over the past 150 years—as it is for the building that houses them."
i
Be sure to pick up tickets for the hourly shows at the state-of-the-art Morrison Planetarium, the world's largest all-digital planetarium; sit up high for the best perspective on the 75-foot-diameter dome.
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Architect Renzo Piano's 2008 landmark LEED-certified green building houses 38,000 weird and wonderful animals in a four-story rainforest and split-level aquarium." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The Museum, in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, extends green, sustainable architecture in unprecedented ways." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Renowned for its collection—over 26 million specimens gathered over the past 150 years—as it is for the building that houses them." Full review
i
Even on a foggy day, when mist twirls in the treetops, the park views from atop the roof are stupendous.
Afar Magazine "The California Academy of Sciences is an unfortunately stuffy name for an institution that is anything but staid." Full review
i
) It would be easy to spend an entire day or more seeing all of the Academy's exhibits, so be prepared to pick and choose among them.
Where "The academy is an international center for scientific education and research and the only museum in the world to house an aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum under one (living) roof." Full review
Atlas Obscura "Over 315,000 preserved amphibians and reptiles in jars. " Full review
Atlas Obscura "A century and a half of research in the sciences and natural history, still going strong. " Full review
Travel + Leisure "The California Academy of Sciences covers a broad reach, blending innovative and interactive exhibits that make this a local favorite." Full review
de Young Museum Fodor's Concierge Travel + Leisure Condé Nast Traveler Condé Nast Traveler Travel + Leisure
Michelin Guide Afar Magazine
goop
National Geographic Show All Reviews
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118
From $0/night
Fodor's "The building almost overshadows the de Young's respected collection of American, African, and Oceanic art." Full review
Concierge "The permanent collection comprises American, African, Oceanic, American Indian, New Guinea, Maori, and Filipino art and includes some notable works by Frida Kahlo."
Travel + Leisure "The aggressively 21st-century recycled-copper-clad building looms in the park like an avant-garde aircraft carrier with a crazily torqued tower." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "The beauty of the Beaux Arts-style Legion of Honor is matched only by the incredible views afforded by its hilltop, ocean-side setting...the focus is on ancient and European art here." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Comprises American, African, Oceanic, American Indian, New Guinea, Maori, and Filipino art and includes some notable works by Frida Kahlo." Full review
i
The museum stays open late for its "Friday Nights at the de Young" program
Travel + Leisure "The de Young is one of the most renowned museums in San Francisco, and it attracts big names in historic and modern art for its ongoing exhibitions." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"A total of 950,000 pounds of copper was used to sheath the building and over the course of the next decade it will fade from bright copper to cinammon." Full review
Afar Magazine "The de Young Museum, with its perforated copper facade and spiraling tower in the center of Golden Gate Park, is as dramatic outside as it is inside." Full review
i
Make sure to visit the observation deck at the top of the tower.
goop "The de Young Museum is San Francisco’s encyclopedic public cultural offering—with a significant collection of Asian Art and celebrated holdings in sculpture, painting, and works on paper." Full review
National Geographic "With controversial architectural design; extensive collections include American, African, and Pacific Islander art. " Full review
i
Tip: Use your ticket for free same-day admission to Legion of Honor, another of city's top museums.
