San Francisco

California Academy of Sciences NightLife Admission Ticket

Badge of ExcellenceSan Francisco, United States

From $23.00

Select Date and Travelers

Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
  • 4 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket

Overview

Pair science with San Francisco nightlife and you have NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences. This is the perfect, child-free way to explore the museum after hours. Make your way inside and enjoy a lively venue of music, provocative science, and exhibits.
  • After-hours entry to the California Academy of Sciences
  • A chance to the Academy of Sciences without children present
  • Purchase food and drinks to enhance your experience

What's Included

  • Nightlife music and entertainment - program changes weekly
  • All exhibits and shows (subject to availability)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks (available for purchase, cash bars)
  • planetarium show passes (additional $5)

Meeting And Pickup

Start time

06:00 PM

What To Expect

Come find out why Nightlife at the California Academy of Sciences is the hottest event on everyone's social calendar. Upon arrival skip the long entrance lines then, savor drinks at the bar, chat it up with friends, and marvel at the novel nightlife scene with pulsing music.

Check out Claude the albino alligator, head over to the African Hall, see the African Penguins, and gain access to the 4-story rain forest. During this time, there will be food and additional cocktails available for purchase. Note: last entry to the rainforest dome is 7:45pm.

California Academy of Sciences

Enjoy after-hours entry to the California Academy of Sciences at NightLife, every Thursdays from 6-10 pm. This weekly event for guests aged 21+ features all of the Academy’s exhibits, music, cocktails, and a weekly scientific theme! 

4 hours Admission Ticket Included

Morrison Planetarium

Morrison Planetarium is the largest all-digital dome in the world. With a state-of-the art projector, visitors have an unparalleled view of the universe. NOTE: Passes to planetarium shows are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Minimum age for admission is 21 years, valid picture ID required at check-in, no exceptions
  • Wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available at the Coat Check on a first come, first served basis
  • The interactive map includes a sensory guide for guests with noise, visual, touch, and smell sensitivities.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • NOTE: Proof of vaccinations, boosters and masks strongly encouraged but not required. For more information, please visit Health & Safety webpage on the Academy website.
  • Planetarium passes are required for planetarium shows during NightLife. Reserve your planetarium show passes (additional $5) in advance at tickets.calacademy.org/nlpl/ or by scanning the QR code in the lobby as soon as you arrive. Please note that reservations are first-come, first served.
  • Last entry into the rainforest dome is 7:30pm
  • All food and drink must be enjoyed in the Café or outdoors
  • Most travelers can participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips


You can experience the typical places during the daylight, and hit the CAS enjoying it with lights and drinks.
Reviews
4.5
49 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 49 reviews
Great night, very interesting and much...
AMANDA CLAIR G, May 2018
Great night, very interesting and much better to have the VIP experience
This was a fun experience. They...
Cheri J, Mar 2018
This was a fun experience. They offered some fun presentations and great drinks at the bars. It was nice to be surrounded by fellow “adults” for more “adult” time to explore the museum. They also played fun music in the background. Buy planetarium tickets early because they sell out quickly.
Really fun way to get to know the...
setrab, Nov 2017
Really fun way to get to know the place as a visitor, and blend in the local night life. Ejoyed the place the music and learned couple new things. Also great way to get the most from, San Francisco. You can experience the typical places during the daylight, and hit the CAS enjoying it with lights and drinks.
This was an amazing place. After...
Catherine D, Aug 2017
This was an amazing place. After hours was great. The behind the scenes tour was wonderful too!
The C.A.S NightLife VIP is the...
Lisa_B, May 2017
The C.A.S NightLife VIP is the best way to see this Living Document of Science. Short- to no lines, free drinks and great sandwiches and a very special guided tour with fun people. You don't want to miss this Science class like you skipped in High School. BUS 37r takes you right to the entrance and there is a stop across the street to take you back. Get the City Pass.....BO
This was a fun evening. Spend the...
Greg_U, Aug 2016
This was a fun evening. Spend the extra 20 for the VIP ticket. You get a one hour open bar and go the the head of the line to get into the rain forest and the planetarium and earthquake exhibit. The place was packed and avoiding the lines was worth the extra money. Hip. young crowd, DJ. live music, what's not to like? This is worth doing on the Thursday night that they offer the Night at the Museum.
The night visit to the California...
WilliamTanoto_T, Aug 2016
The night visit to the California Academy of Sciences was something different from the usual visit to the museum. The crowd was obviously more interested in the drinks, but opening up the museum beyond the usual working hours meant that you get most of the day to do other interesting things in SF before going to visit this museum. The museum is huge, very different from other natural history museum. Definitely worth a visit.
Interesting night - I recommend...
Heather L, Aug 2016
Interesting night - I recommend going when it opens, as we went late and didn't have much time to explore and try the different drinks at different stations. More exhibits could have been open, but the event seemed popular enough it was sold out when we arrived.
amazing place and V.I.P. trip well...
John C, May 2015
amazing place and V.I.P. trip well worth the extra cost.
Drink as much as you can in the open...
Eugene Y, Mar 2015
Drink as much as you can in the open bar at the beginning of the tour cause it costs you money to get a drink after the tour.
We loved our time here! Only regret...
Tabra C, Feb 2015
We loved our time here! Only regret was not getting the VIP passes but still got to see just about all of what we went to see.
This was a waste of money as no-one...
Caroline W, Oct 2014
This was a waste of money as no-one was interested in the exhibits, everyone just wanted to dance to the too-loud music and drink to excess. I don't know why people who want this don't go to a nightclub instead?! Everybody else's drunken behaviour ruined the visit for us, and it surely must have scared the animals in the rainforest and aquarium, etc?
We had so much fun. On a arrival we...
Allison M, Oct 2014
We had so much fun. On a arrival we found DJ playing a rather but fun mix of eclectic music. We loved the Penguins, the free planetarium show and the aquarium. We also had dinner there in the café which tasty and great value. Throughout the evening there seemed to be lots of fun activities going on as we heard announcements about both salsa and belly dancing classes about to begin, we didn't join in as we didn't have time. We left about 9pm as it got very busy at this time. Top tip: All persons must carry photo id on this trip to prove they are over 21 as they will be asked for it prior to entry.
I love Nightlife at the Academy of...
Cat, Dec 2013
I love Nightlife at the Academy of Sciences! The nighttime experience is great fun since there are djs, food and drinks, and no children. The night I went, they were hosting a Christmas themed event, so I got to make reindeer antlers, take photos in a photo booth and even meet some real reindeer! The aquarium part is also really fun because there are a lot of really cool creatures to see. And up on the living roof, they had a telescope set up to see Jupiter!
If you're in San Francisco on a...
Laura All Over, Dec 2013
If you're in San Francisco on a Thursday evening, don't miss Nightlife! Not only are there activities and drinks, it's also a totally different and unique experience to be in the museum after dark. We went during the holiday season and got to make reindeer antlers (there were also several other crafts), tried a bunch of Ghirardelli chocolate, saw real reindeer, watched the jellyfish float around their aquariums, and looked through a telescope on the roof. Whether you live in SF and want to try something new or you're just visiting, I'd highly recommend Nightlife!
Lots of fun - highly recommend this...
Bridget W, Nov 2013
Lots of fun - highly recommend this! But buyer beware - although this site lists a date for the ticket, the voucher you purchase here does not guarantee you entry on any particular night (ie if the event is sold out the night you go).
There are multiple floors with just...
Neeraj v, Oct 2013
There are multiple floors with just about everything science-y. Some cool aspects of the museum. All the exhibits and show cases were interesting to look at and super informative. Got my Planetarium pass for 7:30pm show ,the 3D show in the forum was awesome. Don't miss it. Its a great atmosphere with great music enjoy science. Don't miss it.
Don't miss the planetarium. It's a...
elizabeth_f, Oct 2013
Don't miss the planetarium. It's a jaw-dropping experience.
Was a very cool tour just wished we...
Robin M L, Oct 2013
Was a very cool tour just wished we had more time to explore with a guide and more time to relax into the evening at the bar and snack area.
My husband and I spent one day of...
Isamara U, Oct 2013
My husband and I spent one day of our honeymoon exploring San Francisco before heading to Puerto Vallarta. We had a great time and the NightLife at academy of sciences was the perfect final stop of a perfect day.