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California Academy of SciencesvsMission Dolores Park
Both California Academy of Sciences and Mission Dolores Park are highly recommended by experts. On balance, California Academy of Sciences scores significantly better than Mission Dolores Park. California Academy of Sciences comes in at #3 in San Francisco with accolades from 13 publications such as Fodor's, Atlas Obscura and Travel + Leisure.
California Academy of Sciences
Fodor's
Concierge
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Condé Nast Traveler
Afar Magazine
Where
Atlas Obscura Atlas Obscura Travel + Leisure Show All Reviews
55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118
From $0/night
Fodor's "The Cal Academy is one of the city's most spectacular treasures." Full review
Concierge "The California Academy of Sciences is as renowned for its collection—over 26 million specimens gathered over the past 150 years—as it is for the building that houses them."
i
Be sure to pick up tickets for the hourly shows at the state-of-the-art Morrison Planetarium, the world's largest all-digital planetarium; sit up high for the best perspective on the 75-foot-diameter dome.
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Architect Renzo Piano's 2008 landmark LEED-certified green building houses 38,000 weird and wonderful animals in a four-story rainforest and split-level aquarium." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The Museum, in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, extends green, sustainable architecture in unprecedented ways." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Renowned for its collection—over 26 million specimens gathered over the past 150 years—as it is for the building that houses them." Full review
i
Even on a foggy day, when mist twirls in the treetops, the park views from atop the roof are stupendous.
Afar Magazine "The California Academy of Sciences is an unfortunately stuffy name for an institution that is anything but staid." Full review
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) It would be easy to spend an entire day or more seeing all of the Academy's exhibits, so be prepared to pick and choose among them.
Where "The academy is an international center for scientific education and research and the only museum in the world to house an aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum under one (living) roof." Full review
Atlas Obscura "Over 315,000 preserved amphibians and reptiles in jars. " Full review
Atlas Obscura "A century and a half of research in the sciences and natural history, still going strong. " Full review
Travel + Leisure "The California Academy of Sciences covers a broad reach, blending innovative and interactive exhibits that make this a local favorite." Full review
Mission Dolores Park Fodor's Lonely Planet
Frommer's
Not For Tourists Travel + Leisure Afar Magazine
On the Grid Where Travel + Leisure
Dolores Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
From $0/night
Fodor's "A two-square-block microcosm of life in the Mission, Dolores Park is one of San Francisco's liveliest green spaces:." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Dolores Park has something for everyone." Full review
i
Climb to the upper southwest corner for the best views of downtown, framed by palm trees.
Frommer's "The scene of modern bohemia and it’s a fantastic place to relax and take in good San Francisco vibes." Full review
Not For Tourists "The sunniest spot in the city (and great tennis courts!)."
Travel + Leisure "The Holy Grail of parkland in San Francisco—it’s by far the most popular and most iconic, known for turning into a daytime party every weekend." Full review
Afar Magazine "Head to the Mission and visit the Mission Dolores, the oldest intact original mission in California, and the oldest building in San Francisco." Full review
On the Grid "If there was a hub of the Mission, it would be Dolores Park." Full review
Where "This generous square of grass on the Mission District’s west side is a great place to soak up some sun on most days and an even better place to get a glimpse of real San Francisco culture." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Mission Dolores is one of the most popular parks in San Francisco; it covers 16 acres and locals gather here on weekend afternoons when the sun comes out. "
San Francisco Travel Guide
March 2, 2021
