California Academy of Sciences

Founded in 1853, just three years after California joined the Union, the Academy began as a learned society dedicated to scientific exploration and documentation of the natural world. It was the first institution of its kind in the Western United States, surviving the devastating 1906 earthquake despite losing most of its original collections and records. This resilience defined its early years, pushing the institution to rebuild and expand its mission in Golden Gate Park. Over the 20th century, the Academy grew to include the Steinhart Aquarium and the Morrison Planetarium, becoming a multifaceted hub for public education and research. However, the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake caused significant structural damage, leading to a visionary decision to completely replace the aging buildings with a single, state-of-the-art sustainable facility. The current building, designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, opened in 2008 and is celebrated as one of the world's most environmentally friendly museums. Featuring a 2.5-acre "living roof," a four-story rainforest dome, and a massive coral reef ecosystem, the Academy today serves as a global leader in biodiversity research and sustainability, housing over 46 million specimens while inspiring millions of visitors.