A Day at The California Academy of Sciences

Why haven’t I visited this spot sooner?

This was the first thought that entered my mind. I don’t consider myself a science or nature buff, but I have to say that a day spent at San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences is well worth it. Why? It’s an aquarium-planetarium-rainforest all in one.

Walking around and gawking at all of the exhibits can work up your appetite. I know firsthand. That lunch time hunger strike hit me right before my 3:00 planetarium show. Fortunately, there were two good dining choices, the Academy Café, a casual, quick service dining option, and the Moss Room, a more modern fine dining restaurant.

What I needed, was something quick.

I saw a line forming behind an Academy Café food stand in the piazza. A quick look at their menu and I saw that they had quick bites like Prather Ranch Beef Hotdogs available. Certified organic too. Perfect. It was just what I needed.

A hearty Chili Hotdog was just the thing to satisfy that hunger strike. I’ll admit, I didn’t expect that this place would have such a solid lineup of dining options. After going home, I tried to find out more about the restaurants here. I was surprised to find out that the Academy Café is backed by Charles Phan of The Slanted Door and The Moss Room was ran by Loretta Keller of COCO500.

I’m used to going to places where food stands would just serve ordinary selections. It was refreshing to discover that The California Academy of Sciences does things a little bit different by having some of San Francisco’s notable chefs behind their food.

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