When I was a child, I made many visits to the aquarium. I had a 'pet' crocodile there, and always had to find him and talk to him for awhile. My parents were patient souls! I will be back this year for the SUPERNATURAL HALLOWEEN event!
On September 29, 2023, Steinhart Aquarium is turning 100! You’re invited to add to this community scrapbook by sharing a favorite memory, creature, or aha! moment from the museum. Thanks for contributing your stories—and being part of ours.
Dear Steinhart Aquarium,
Daughter of animal lovers
2023-09-11T17:57:17-07:00
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Ichthyology Department
As a long-time Professor at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories of the CSU System, I had the honor of bringing my Ichthyology class to both the CAS Ichthyology Department where we were received by professional ichhyologists who explained what they did to my class. And, of course, that always involved a visit to the Steinhart Aquarium where I and my students would be able to observe fishes we had learned about in class do their "thing." It was always wonderful and magical.
Cheers, Gregor Caiilliet
2023-09-11T16:41:33-07:00
everyone
I particularly enjoy the White Shark they had for awhile. I guess the tank proved too small for her.
Jaws
2023-09-11T16:16:28-07:00
Dear Fish
My earliest memory was when I was 5 (that’s 68+ years ago). To enter you walked past a sculpture of entwined seals (or whales?). It was FREE and inside you walked on the ledge in a straight line past ALL the fish. Wonderful Then my son was 5 - admission slightly more and same walk thru magical fish. For him highlight was the manatee. They could start at each other for a LONG time
Elena and son David
2023-09-05T19:15:06-07:00
We know our butterflies! A few years as Peace Corps in East Africa. We followed with a lot of neotropics travel, and North America in all directions as our times passed on. Visited lots of jungles chasing butterflies everywhere for the Peabody Museum of Natural History. Roanna, my spouse and I got to know the winged beauties, thousands of them. Sent some ground beetle specimens to the Academy once as well. So there we were in the then new Tropical live exhibit. Maybe 2018. A great place, our favorite place at the Academy. But WOW a crowd on the circular spiral odservation walkway and a spectacular Morpho butterfly (say huge, brilliant blue) thrashing around on the pavement. Roanna shouldered thru the crowd to the aide of beast. People going “you can’t touch a butterfly” and even “the scales are toxic”. The crowd gasped when she said “watch me” carefully grasping the lepidopteron by the forewing margins as her experience informed her manner. Then she gently flung our subject back into the equatorial recreation display. The rescue flew again, flew without hesitation and alighted as Morphos do on a branch and we left that Aurelian safe and sound. Victor DeMasi, Roanna Metowski, Redding Connecticut 203 448 0106 17 July 2023
2023-07-17T11:12:45-07:00
As a child in the 40's and 50's I went on several school field trips to the Aquarium and Planetarium. The Crocodile pit was a favorite. I live in Southern California now, and on a visit last year was so happy to see that when they remodeled they kept the original fence around the "pit".
3rd generation. Oaklander
2023-06-19T14:46:25-07:00
Nobody in particular
My mom used to take me to the "old" academy starting in 1945. I was 3 years old and was fascinated by the fish in the aquarium, the alligators and the rock collection. Also loved the old planetarium. Still taking our grandchildren and still loving every minute of any visit.
The Robert Powell Family
2023-04-19T17:27:50-07:00
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Dear Butterflies,
Everytime we go to the Academy You make our hearts flutter The beautiful coloured wings That would make anyone stutter Blues, oranges, purples and red, The most amazing place in the world Is what we all said Thank you for the memories The joy, magic and wonder At the Academy we always have fun there!!
Love, the O’hÍomhair Family
2023-04-04T08:27:50-07:00
Big T
I’m a docent who likes birds so I set up under the Tyrannosaurus with the condor wing, the condor foot and some pictures of Archaeopteryx (the 1st bird like dinosaur). A small group of kids always shows up and I talk about the condor for a few minutes then ask them if they knew about the connection between birds and dinosaurs. At this point I ask them to take a look at the condor foot while I hold it up so the group can easily view it and the T-Rex foot behind me. (The feet are nearly identical except for size,) “ What do you see”? One time someone in the back said “you mean that thing is nothing but a 20,000 pound chicken? So the conversation starts. Made my day as a docent.
Jim Scholfield
2023-04-03T16:08:17-07:00
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Hello Fellow Scientist
On July 1st, 2021 we brought our granddaughter to the California Academy of Science for the first time. She flew all the way from Mississippi to visit us and we knew a visit to the Academy would be epic. She was only 1 at the time of our visit, but every exhibit held her captive all day. Her absolute favorite was the Butterfly Experience. She was so calm as the beautiful butterflies floated around. Thank you for always providing great family fun.
Love, The Mosley Family
2023-03-29T19:48:46-07:00
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Dear little cave
My children and I always visit the little cave where the little pipe fish play peek-a-boo and chicken with the big fish. It is such a calming centering place and we love it. Thank you for all the memories.
Love, Danielle, Lily and Lucas
2023-03-28T21:27:23-07:00
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Dear Cal Academy,
Thank you for all the years of supporting and educating our community. We have enjoyed our family membership for many years now, and one of the best memories we have happened recently. After many years of watching the pendulum and waiting for a pin to fall, we finally got to see not one, but three fall during a recent visit! We were so ecstatic!
Love, The Hall Family
2023-03-28T17:40:41-07:00
Dear Cal Academy team
For many years when our two boys were young, not a month went by without a Cal Academy visit. We will always have this treasure trove of cherished memories. You helped inspire in one of them future studies in wildlife biology and in the other a deep interest in science. We are filled with gratitude and we celebrate your truly remarkable and life-changing work!
With gratitude and congratulations, the Sawyer family
2023-03-28T11:17:39-07:00
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Mr T-Rex
Science can be scary!
Thank You, Torres Family
2023-03-27T20:34:00-07:00
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The Butterflies
She was mesmerized by the butterflies, I was mesmerized by her! To see what I felt as a kid when I first visited now reflected in my children's eyes, makes me yonder and feel young.
Much Love for this magical place, Torres Family
2023-03-27T20:29:37-07:00