California Academy of SciencesStop on Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, a free self-guided tour.One of the world's great natural history museums, aquariums, and planetariums under a single living roof, the California Academy of Sciences is an extraordinary jewel of Golden Gate Park. The stunning green-roofed building, designed by Renzo Piano and opened in 2008, features a 2.5-acre living roof planted with native California wildflowers and visible from the de Young tower across the concourse. Inside, Steinhart Aquarium houses over 38,000 live animals including a spectacular four-story rainforest vivarium; Morrison Planetarium offers immersive digital projections of the universe; and the natural history museum holds remarkable fossil and specimen collections. Claude the albino alligator is a beloved resident. The academy is a world leader in biodiversity research. Admission fees apply.Stops on this tourMcLaren Lodge and Sharon MeadowConservatory of FlowersRhododendron DellMusic Concourse and Spreckels Temple of Musicde Young MuseumCalifornia Academy of SciencesJapanese Tea GardenSan Francisco Botanical GardenStow Lake and Strawberry HillSpreckels Lake and Model Yacht ClubPolo Fields and Speedway MeadowBuffalo Paddock - American Bison HerdRainbow Falls and Chain of LakesDutch Windmill and Queen Wilhelmina Tulip GardenOcean Beach - Western Gateway