Zootourism.com review: California Academy of Sciences

55 Music Concourse Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
United States
415-379-8000
http://www.calacademy.org

After a massive renovation, the California Academy of Sciences reopened in 2008 with a new set of exhibits and a few new residents as well. While some of the classic pieces of a natural history museum are still in place, there’s a greater focus on living animals now with multiple levels of aquaria, a handful of reptile and insect exhibits, and a new living facility for their penguins. Upon entering, the first dose of excitement is a massive one – the Rainforests of the World exhibit is situated inside a large plexiglass bubble, with a ramp working its way up to the top. As you progress upward, the various levels of a rainforest show off their inhabitants, some in more naturalistic locations and some in straightforward tanks – especially the various chameleons, snakes, frogs, and other lizards. Along with more standard fare, there are some exceptional residents on display as well – rare flying frogs, a plethora of birds flitting through the trees, etc. Also on display along the way are various types of tree-dwelling ants and butterflies (surprisingly enough, not being eaten by the birds). As a side attraction here, there’s an interesting type of exhibit allowing you to ‘experience’ the various animals – a mild buzz to mimic an electric eel, a hidden blood pressure cuff to squeeze your arm like an anaconda.



At the top of the dome, an elevator ferries you back down to the bottom floor through the aquariums – even cooler, it indeed ferries you through the aquarium, glass walls exposing the fish as you descend. The bottom floor has more classic aquarium forms – a series of exhibits of Northern California creatures, a small coral reef section, and a swamp section with alligators and gars. Back on the main level, an African section finishes off the circuit, with a few tortoises among exhibits on evolution, and a large colony of African penguins happily posing, splashing, squabbling. An excellent museum, loaded with information and highly unique creatures, and an excellent piece of architecture – a generally excellent place to visit.