
California Academy of Sciences NightLife Admission Ticket
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 50 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is California Academy of Sciences NightLife Admission Ticket worth booking?
California Academy of Sciences NightLife Admission Ticket is a 4-hour experience in San Francisco, United States, from $26 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 50 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (50)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $26 per person
Calling all creatures of the night: explore the nocturnal side of the Academy at NightLife and see what's revealed. Featuring a new theme each week with live DJs, outdoor bars, special programming, and nearly 60,000 live
What you get
About this experience
Calling all creatures of the night: explore the nocturnal side of the Academy at NightLife and see what's revealed. Featuring a new theme each week with live DJs, outdoor bars, special programming, and nearly 60,000 live animals. Embrace the unexpected on Thursday nights! (From 6pm to 10pm, Ages 21+ with valid, physical photo ID)
What's included
Included
- Nightlife music and entertainment - program changes weekly
- All exhibits and shows (subject to availability)
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks (available for purchase, cash bars)
- planetarium show passes (additional $5)
What you'll see and do
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!
240 minutes here · Admission 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.
Golden Gate Park
California Academy of Sciences is located in Golden Gate Park
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, 94118-4503, United States
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
California Academy of Sciences · 55 Music Concourse Dr, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, 94118-4503, United States
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Thu
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- California Academy of Sciences
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age for admission is 21 years. Valid, physical photo 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.
- Planetarium passes are required for planetarium shows during NightLife. Tickets do sell out quickly, to guarantee a spot 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. Reservations are first-come, first served.
- Last entry into the rainforest dome is 7:30pm.
- All food and drink must be enjoyed in the Academy Café or outdoors.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 50 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
50 verified traveler reviews for California Academy of Sciences NightLife Admission Ticket. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Trashy
All events i have ever been to for VIP Nighlife have been awful. Falling down drunk people, low quality cocktails at $250!! No one at the event to ask for a refund. A waste of money - go elsewhere with more class unless your into trashy at $250, then this is for you
Response from the operator: Hi there, We're not sure you're talking about our NightLife event, which takes place on Thursday nights from 6–10pm at the California Academy of Sciences. For one, our tickets are nowhere near $250, and this is generally isn't the type of event where people are falling down drunk, but instead enjoying cocktails while looking at science.
via Tripadvisor
NightLife Event
This was so cool. No Kids in sight. This even was made for adults. Drinks and Music make education that much more fun!
via Tripadvisor
Great night, very interesting and much...
<p>Great night, very interesting and much better to have the VIP experience</p>
via Viator
Science teacher joy
So glad we made it to this exhibit. We saved with the night life option and by using the bus service. The exhibit itself would have been worth the extra money though!!! So much to see for nature lovers. The staff was extremely helpful but the place was easy to navigate even with their really cool layout. Adults and kids alike can learn so much even if what you learn is that you don't want to be near any 6ft fish again in your life!
via Tripadvisor
This was a fun experience. They...
<p>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.</p>
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Thu
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 18
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
California Academy of Sciences NightLife Admission Ticket: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Francisco.
How much does California Academy of Sciences NightLife Admission Ticket cost?
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Prices start at $26 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Francisco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does California Academy of Sciences NightLife Admission Ticket take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in San Francisco is not rushed.
Is California Academy of Sciences NightLife Admission Ticket worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 50 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in San Francisco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule California Academy of Sciences NightLife Admission Ticket?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is California Academy of Sciences NightLife Admission Ticket suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book California Academy of Sciences NightLife Admission Ticket?
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Around 18 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in San Francisco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Francisco and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does California Academy of Sciences NightLife Admission Ticket start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Francisco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in San Francisco?
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San Francisco packs Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Napa and the bay into day-trip range, which makes booking order matter more than anywhere else in the US. Alcatraz sells out weeks ahead, wine-country vans fill on weekends, and the best food walks in the Mission and Chinatown cap at a dozen people. Our ranking favours small groups and guides who live in the neighbourhood they walk. On Outty we rank every San Francisco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz, Chinatown, North Beach, Little Italy: 7 Tastings & History. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
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September and October, the city's real summer, once the fog season breaks. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in San Francisco?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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