Developed by physicist Frank Oppenheimer and opened in 1969, this innovative and interactive museum is dedicated to art, science and human perception. Relocated from the Palace of Fine Arts to Piers 15 and 17, the modern space features plenty of new green technologies including the largest solar panel roof in San Francisco and offers over 600 hands-on exhibits. These hands-on displays unveil the mysteries of science and language, and present these theories simply and succinctly. Webinars, special events and seminars occur throughout the year. This San Francisco gem is a must visit.

Located in Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is one of the greenest buildings in the city and has a platinum certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The museum features the renovated and expanded Steinhart Aquarium, complete with a hands-on tide pool and the well-known alligator swamp. Other exciting features are the Morrison Planetarium, the four-storey rainforest dome, and the Tusher African Hall. In addition to these educational gems, the museum features other natural history exhibits as well as exhibits about global warming. The Academy Café offers international cuisine, while the elegant Moss Room restaurant is the only dining option available in the park past museum closing time.

This interactive North Bay museum is dedicated to kids eight and younger. These exhibits on natural science and art invite kids to play with them. The museum's unique programs feature hands-on art, science and environmental exhibitions, performances, special events, and cultural festivals, all with a focus on fun! Fort Baker, which houses the museum, has a breathtaking view of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

At two acres (0.809 hectares), this indoor scale model of the San Francisco Bay and its tributaries is one of the largest in the world. Used by the Army Corps of Engineers for testing the environmental impact of shoreline development, toxic spills and weather conditions, it is open to the public and an impressive sight. A complex hydraulics system pumps water in and out of the model, mimicking the ebb and flow of the actual tides at the Bay Model Visitor Center. For the budding ecologist, oceanographer or civil engineer, there is no better attraction. Who wouldn't be interested in seeing the Bay Area reduced to a scale of 1000 to 1 horizontal feet?