Membership dues also are an important part of supporting the Academy of Sciences' mission of scientific education and research, and in turn, members receive many benefits, including the quarterly magazine, California Wild , special monthly meetings and lectures, as well as a variety of educational and travel opportunities. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended summer hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day weekend in May through Labor Day in September. Monday through Friday, sky shows are presented at 2 p.m., with an extended schedule July through August. Tickets can be purchased one half hour before show time at the planetarium box office once inside the Academy of Sciences. The Academy of Sciences offers discounted admission for groups, including school, nonprofit, business and all other organized groups.
Groups also can reserve docent-led guided tours and planetarium sky show viewings.
Reservations are required. The planetarium hosts laser light shows set to music by Laser Images Inc. in the evenings Thursday through Sunday. Shows are not recommended for children under 6. On the first Wednesday of each month, voluntary donations are accepted in lieu of admission. Group reservations are not accepted on free day.