California Academy of Science - San Francisco

April 7, 2013

Elsa, Grandma and I visit the California Academy of Science inside of Golden Gate Park.

A current feature on exhibit is Earth Quake.

This first photo shows the line starting to que up 40 minutes before the general public can enter.
Since I have a Membership on Tuesdays and Sundays members and their guests are allowed in one hour early.

We got in an hour early as a Member benefit

Not all exhibits allow photos to be taken.  But this one is a favorite of the kids because you can actually put your hands in the water and feel the sea creatures.

The touch tank

Not just kids are intrigued by this exhibit.

Elsa is as curious as this young child

We then tour through the Aquarium.


Since it is getting warm in the building we decide to head to the Living Roof.  The plants on the roof of the building act as insulation.

On the viewing area of the Living Roof

The docent explains what is going on with the roof.

Giant dome

The dome is the top of the Living Forest exhibit.

Here we are in the Living Forest.  The birds and butterflies will fly right around you as the Living Forest is an enclosure within the building.

In the Rain Forest exhibit

We next visited the Earthquake exhibit where there is a shaking house.  It was like a Disneyland E Ticket Ride.  No pics though.

We then took in the Planetarium show on Earth Quakes.  Photos not allowed.

By now it is 12:45 PM so..............

Of course this is the Lunch Bunch and today we will eat at the Academy Cafe.
This is located within the building as serves food at stations in a cafeteria like style.

From the Academy's web site:  http://www.calacademy.org/visit/shopping_and_dining/

Under Executive Chef Kelly Degala, the academy cafe serves a wide variety of multi-cultural cuisine, made fresh, with healthy, seasonal and organic ingredients. In redefining museum dining, the cafe offers delicious and healthy foods using sustainable ingredients. From the raw organic sugar used in our baked goods, to the sustainably farmed local vegetables prepared daily, to the organic, fair trade coffee, every effort is made to support local producers and promote environmentally responsible farming.

It is a bit pricey but the food is very tasty.  Elsa has the Roast Pork over Noodles with a Vietnamese touch.

Lunch at the Academy Cafe

Grandma has the Tofu in Curry Sauce

Grandma's lunch

I had the Fettuccine in butter sauce with diced ham and Garlic Bread - no photo.

A visit after lunch to a few more displays then Elsa has to visit the Kiddie Shop.

Buying a gift for the infant grandchild

After we leave the Academy it is off to get ice cream, but as I head out I asked them if they had seen the Mosaic Stairs.  Since they had not I took the back route to Moraga and 16th Avenue.

Grandma walked the 163 stairs up then back down

Grandma walked the 163 stairs up then back down

Their first visit to the Mosaic Stairs

We then made our way to Mitchell's Ice Cream, but I forgot to take photos.  Good ice cream.
    opens in a new window     Mitchell's Ice Cream web site



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