We visited
California Academy of Sciences back in December just a few days before Christmas.
I had been eager to visit the Academy before the end of the year due to a few special Christmassy themed exhibits. A visit to the Academy was one of the featured activities on the girls'
advent calendar.
Now, we had actually attempted to visit the Academy back in November when we spent an afternoon in Golden Gate Park. However it was Thanksgiving long weekend and it was extremely busy. Plus a surcharge during busy holiday periods pushed the ticket price up to $35.00 for adults and $25.00 for children making for one very expensive afternoon.
Surprisingly, when we visited the Academy two days before Christmas it wasn't as busy as I had expected. I guess everyone was busy with Christmas preparations. I booked our tickets online to avoid the queues and even managed to find a coupon for a discount. Got to love
retailmenot.com :)
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Kim and the girls with Claude the Alligator |
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The cheesy green screen photo taken at the entrance.
Lola was asleep in the pram. |
California Academy of Sciences is kind of like a group of small science museums under the one roof. Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, Kimball Natural History Museum, Rainforests of the World dome plus a host of other exhibits call this place home. And what an amazing home it is.
I think my favourite feature of the Academy would have to be the Living Roof.
Two and a half acres of native plants sprawl across the domed "hills" of the roof top. Skylights dotted throughout the "hills" lend a space age feel however this does not distract from the tranquility of the Living Roof. The views over Golden Gate Park from the rooftop observation deck are beautiful and the roof itself blends seamlessly into its surroundings in the park..
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The Living Roof |
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The Living Roof |
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Lola up on the roof |
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Ava up on the roof |
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California Academy of Sciences seen from the observation tour in the deYoung Museum |
Steinhart Aquarium was another favourite. The aquatic displays are spread over ground floor and basement level and are diverse in both creatures and environment. There are tidal pools with starfish and hermit crabs, coral reefs teeming with colourful fish, a walk through underwater tunnel, a flooded Amazon forest and let's not forget the swamp which is home to Claude, the Academy's resident albino alligator. The flooded Amazon forest was amazing. To truly appreciate this part of the display you really need to start in the Rainforests of the World dome. Follow the path in the dome as it winds through a world of butterflies, rare plants and colourful birds until you reach the rainforest canopy. When you reach the top the heavens open up (figuratively) and an elevator plunges you all the way down to the floor of the forest which is now completely submerged under water. Catfish swim where birds and monkeys once called home. The view back up is breathtaking.
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