Learn & Explore

  • A dazzling underwater scene in the Red Sea with a school of bright orange reef fish
  • A variety of colorful beetle specimens from the entomology collection
  • Microbiologist Shannon Bennett using a pipette in her lab at the California Academy of Sciences
  • Two young guests marvel at the sea nettle jellyfish exhibit
  • An ancient terracotta animal figure is delicately displayed by our anthropology collections manager
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Dive the mesophotic zone of the Philippines. Rise through the treetops of tropical Malaysia. Zoom in on a single scale of a butterfly's wing. Academy science helps explain our world. Explore it with us.
Bart Shepherd and Tyler Phelps diving the twilight zone with collection nets

Scientists & Expeditions

Cutting-edge, scientifically rigorous exploration is key to documenting, understanding, and better protecting Earth's rich biodiversity.

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Citizen science observation

Citizen Science

To protect biodiversity, we need to know more about it. Academy scientists travel the globe to explore, explain, and sustain, but they can’t be everywhere. That's where you come in.

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A stunning leafy seadragon swimming in its exhibit at the Steinhart Aquarium

Creature Closeups

There's a story behind every species on exhibit. Get to know a few of the Steinhart Aquarium's most captivating residents.

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A sawshark specimen forms the shape of a circle against a dramatic black background

Specimen Spotlights

With one of the world's largest and most important scientific collections, the Academy is a library of life. See some of our most striking specimens.

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A young visitor explores the Macro Color magnifier on exhibit at the Academy

Apps & Interactives

Exercise your brain and activate your imagination with engaging, all-ages, hands-on learning tools and Academy-produced HD videos.

3 African penguins pose by their nest boxes

Animal Webcams

Our HD webcams stream 24/7, so you're never more than a click away from our stingrays, coral reef, penguins—and the otherworldly Farallon Islands.

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