Last Updated on December 2, 2022 by Usama
California Academy Of Sciences Parking
This research institute and natural history museum are located at 55 Music Concourse Dr. in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. If you’re planning a visit to the California Academy of Sciences, we’ll help you locate the main on-site parking lot or its alternatives. While the Academy’s admission prices vary from $35 to $45, car parking fees are set. Use our guide to find the closest entrance, EV charging station, operating hours, free spots, and public transit options.
Parking at the California Academy Of Sciences
The Music Concourse Garage is the official and most convenient option for both the Academy and De Young Museum. The underground parking structure is open from 7 AM to 7 PM and offers 800 spots and multiple EV charging stations. It has two entrances: Music Concourse Dr./MLK Dr. and Fulton St./10th Ave. (see the sign for the latter below).
The standard daily parking fees are in the following list, but if you enter after 5:30 PM, you’ll pay a $6.25 flat evening rate.
| Day | Hourly Rate | Daily Maximum |
| Monday–Friday | $5.25 | $29.00 |
| Saturday–Sunday | $6.25 | $33.00 |
Tip: Check out our De Young Museum Parking and Golden Gate Park Parking guides for more parking options south of Golden Gate Bridge.
Accessible Parking Availability
ADA parking spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the B1 level of the underground garage. Use the entrance on Music Concourse Drive to find a suitable space. Alternatively, use the Golden Gate Bandshell Parking Lot with 20 free spots for the physically impaired. The entrance to this lot is on MLK Dr.
Where To Find Free Street Spots
Golden Gate Park offers plenty of free parking on the streets. Early arrival is a must on weekends and holidays, but you’ll snatch a convenient spot easily on a weekday.
Regulations vary according to the location; read the signs carefully to avoid SF parking tickets. The time limit on Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. and Nancy Pelosi Dr. is three to four hours, while all-day street parking is obtainable on Stow Lake Dr. The following photo shows the free street spots around Stow Lake.
Public Transportation Options
If you consider avoiding parking altogether, MUNI is a great option. While 44 O’Shaughnessy drops off right in front of the Academy, the following bus lines stop a short walk away: 5 Fulton, 7 Haight, and N Judah Metro.
BART users can transfer to the 5 Fulton MUNI bus at Montgomery St. Station or to 44 O’Shaughnessy at Glen Park Station. MUNI’s cash fare is $3, while BART’s fees vary—click here to calculate your fare.
We Make Parking in San Francisco a Breeze
Aside from California Academy of Sciences parking, Parking Access covers the city’s main attractions, including the following.
Also, if you’re flying out of the city soon, don’t hesitate to book parking at SFO Airport.