Alice
Visited · 2 yo and 3 yo
The California Academy of Sciences is the ultimate rainy-day spot, and honestly a destination on any day. The aquarium is massive and mesmerizing and you can even catch fish feeding times. The multistory rainforest dome, with its spiral staircase winding up through butterflies, birds, and amphibians, is a cool experience.
For the little ones there’s also their own indoor play area for dress-up, pretend play, and story time, plus an outdoor space with a sand table and climbable sculptures.
Dinosaur bone exhibits, a touchable Discovery Tidepool, and rotating shows and planetarium movies keep things fresh visit after visit. There’s actually an Adults-only Nightlife happening Thursday evenings with DJs for a totally different vibe.
Outside, there's green space, food trucks, and room to roam. Pro tip: check if your local library offers free Discover & Go passes. This place is absolutely worth the trip.