California Academy of Sciences

Founded in 1853 as the first scientific institution in the West, the California Academy of Sciences' mission is to explore and explain the natural world.

With eight scientific research departments, the Academy's natural history collections are utilized by scientists from around the world.

Founded in 1853 to survey and study the vast resources of California and beyond, the California Academy of Sciences is the oldest scientific institution in the West.

The original building sustained significant damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. As plans were being made to to repair the damage and make the buildings seismically stable it became clear that a complete overhaul was the best option. The Academy re-opened on September 27, 2008.