Large Group Tours inquiry
Please complete this form if your group has 15 or more guests and we'll follow up.
Explore the Academy like never before—choose from two Behind-the-Scenes Tours for a closer, more intimate look at our animal residents, scientific collections, incredible green building, cutting-edge scientific research, and more!
Did you know our Aquarium has been a part of San Francisco since 1923? Venture behind the scenes to learn more about the history of Steinhart Aquarium and how it has changed over the years.
Experience how our biologists care for the 40,000 animals—including the inhabitants of our Philippine Coral Reef, the deepest and largest indoor display of living corals. Visit the food prep kitchen and see what Claude, the albino alligator, gets fed for breakfast. Step inside our salt water mixing room and follow in the footsteps of our biologists by visiting a few of the spaces they work in each day—you never know who or what you will run into as part of this exclusive, hour-long tour.
Schedule: Monday–Friday at 1 pm; Weekends at 10 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm
Explore the lesser seen regions of the Academy!
Spend an hour behind the scenes learning more about the institution’s 160-year history and what it takes to house nearly 46 million specimens.
Visit the research collections, not on view to the public, and develop an appreciation for our vast library of life, which includes amazing specimens from our ichthyology (fish), entomology (insects), and ornithology (birds) departments. From stepping out onto our living roof to examining breathtaking geology specimens in our private vault, the Academy tour is sure to show you more of the museum than you ever knew existed.
Schedule: Monday–Friday at 11 am and 2 pm; Weekends at 11 am, 2 pm, and 3:30 pm
Purchase your Behind-the-Scenes Tour tickets either in advance—online or by phone—or by signing up on the day of your visit. Sign-up is located just inside our main entrance, but please be aware that tours often fill quickly.
Tour cost:
$24.95 per person (plus general admission ticket)
$19.95 per Academy member
During holiday periods and summer weekends, peak pricing may apply to general admission tickets.
What's Included:
Please note: Guests must be age 8 or older to participate, and guests between the ages of 8 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Each tour is limited to 14 guests.
A 50% non refundable deposit is due at the time of booking to reserve group tickets of 10 or more. Your total balance is due 30 days prior to your tour date. If you are booking a tour within 30 days of your tour date full payment is due at the time of booking. Cancellations occurring 30 days or more prior to tour date, will receive a full refund minus the deposit.
Please complete this form if your group has 15 or more guests and we'll follow up.
Stay curious—every Thursday at NightLife. Sign up for event updates and exciting announcements.
Sign up for the Academy’s monthly newsletter and get a promo code for 10% off at our online retail store.