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.
Canopy Trees for Palo Alto is a non-profit landscaping company that services residents of Palo Alto and the surrounding areas. It specializes in planting trees in schools, neighborhoods and other areas in the community that are in need of landscaping services. Call the number provided for more information or to make an appointment.
The Trail Center is a non-profit volunteer organization that creates and manages a network of trails for San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Francisco counties. Formed in 1983, it does trail building and maintenance, habitat restoration and crew-leader training. There are many ways to volunteer and get involved, as well as ways to enjoy walking, biking and horseback riding along the trails.
Acterra is an influential environmental organization dedicated to finding local solutions for a healthier planet. Offerings include an environmental leadership program; the Business Environmental Awards and Climate Heroes, which recognizes local green leaders and carbon reducers; Green@Home, which helps local residents reduce their home energy usage; and stewardship and fiduciary programs. The stewardship program restores damaged habitats to fully functioning healthy ecosystems. Acterra has worked to restore the Arastradero Preserve, San Francisquito Watershed and Redwood Grove Nature Preserve. Donation information and volunteer opportunities are available on the group's Web site.
Wildcoast is a nonprofit international organization working for cleaner shorelines and the preservation of ecosystems in the United States and Mexico. The organization hosts the Dempsey Holder Memorial surf contest each year to raise funds and to inform the public about causes it supports. Awareness campaigns and volunteering opportunities are held regularly throughout the year. The organization recently purchased 20 miles of coastline for preservation in the Valles de los Cirios region of central Baja California.
The Environmental Nature Center is a 3.5-acre learning center in Newport Beach, CA that includes walking trails, California native plant communities, and a variety of educational programs. The Environmental Nature Center offers after school adventures, summer camps, community programs & events as well as special nature walks. With so many different activities, the Environmental Nature Center is perfect for visitors of all ages.
How to Get to the Environmental Nature Center
The Environmental Nature Center is located off E. 16th Street in Newport Beach. The easiest way to access the center is to take Dover Blvd. to 16th Street and make a left. The best way to get to the center is by car, as there are not many public transit routes that run nearby. There are many sidewalks and paths for those who live within walking distance.
Best and Worst Times to go to the Environmental Nature Center
The ideal time to visit when weather is temperate, which is most days in Southern California. Since a big feature of the Environmental Nature Center is the outdoor walking trails and plant communities, it is advised that you avoid visiting during rainy or inclement weather. The center is quite crowded in the late afternoons 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. as well as weekdays during the summer due to kids activities and summer camps. A great time to visit the center is on the weekends between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Admission to the Environmental Nature Center
Admission to the Environmental Nature Center is free for all ages, however it is recommended that you provide a small donation to help keep the center running. All programs and kids camps do have a small cost, which can be found on the center's website.
Parking and Public Transportation at the Environmental Nature Center
There is no direct public transportation to the Environmental Nature Center, however there is a large parking lot out front that is perfect for cars, school buses and other tour buses.
Must See and Do at the Environmental Nature Center
Make sure you go on one of the nature walks behind the center which consists of gentle trails, native California plants, waterfalls and benches should you want to stop and enjoy a picnic. Every Saturday morning the Environmental Nature Center holds a morning meditation and the Butterfly house in the spring is a must visit.
Other Places to Visit Near the Environmental Nature Center
The Environmental Nature Center is located approximately a couple miles away from the Newport Dunes, a popular spot for kayaking, boating, and stand up paddleboarding. 17th Street in Costa Mesa is a few blocks away and includes lots restaurants and shops. Stop into Haute Cakes Caffe for breakfast or brunch, and enjoy a pizza with the family at the Pizza Bakery.
Insider tips for visitors to the Environmental Nature Center
The Environmental Nature Center has two faires each year – a spring faire and fall faire that features local food from neighboring restaurants, native plant sale and a children's art show. If you can plan your visit around one of the faires, it is a definite must.
Author's bio: Allie Fisher is an Orange County native who loves writing about food and travel. Follow her on instagram and twitter @socaliallie and catch all her adventures on her blog, www.sweetpotatobites.com.