California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences was founded in 1853. Its current building in Golden Gate Park, designed by Renzo Piano, reopened in September 2008, and it brings an aquarium, a planetarium, a rainforest and a natural history museum together under one roof. That roof is a sight in its own right: two and a half acres planted with around 1.7 million California native plants.

Construction began in September 2005. Inside, the Steinhart Aquarium, which dates back to 1923 and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, covers coral reefs, tide pools and swamp habitats, and there is a colony of African penguins. The Morrison Planetarium, added in 1952, has a digitally controlled dome 90 feet across, and the Rainforests of the World exhibit sits inside a 90-foot glass dome. The Kimball Natural History Museum fills the rest of the building, with Africa Hall and a Foucault pendulum among the displays.

The Academy is a strong choice for families, and as an indoor attraction it is a useful plan for a grey or wet day, when the rest of the park is less inviting. Planetarium shows need a separate pass, which is free with admission but first come, first served: scan the QR code in the lobby on arrival to reserve a time. The shows may not suit children under seven, and under-fours are not admitted. Advance tickets are recommended, especially at weekends and in school holidays.

Opening hours are 9.30am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday, although the schedule can change for holidays and maintenance, so check before you travel. On most Thursday evenings the museum hosts NightLife, an over-21s event from 6pm to 10pm with music, drinks and the exhibits after dark. The Academy Café and Terrace Restaurant serve food made with local, sustainable ingredients.

Allow at least three hours, and longer if you want to see a planetarium show and the rainforest without rushing. The Academy faces the de Young museum across the Music Concourse, and the Japanese Tea Garden is a few minutes' walk away, so you can build a full day in this part of the park.