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.

Share a Steinhart Centennial story
Dear NightLife,
Last year was the first year I went to San Francisco. I was there for a work event but was fortunate enough that I was able to stay an extra night. Immediately my google search was on museums and aquariums in the San Francisco area. With hearing legends of the California Academy of Sciences I knew I had to go there no matter what. I was thrilled to realize that the day I was able to attend was a Thursday night NightLife and that on top of that there was a VIP experience was full background and archives tour. I felt like a little kid again! I took so many pictures of the archives, the background; the rainforest; the aquarium, the tunnel! So much education that I completely forgot about the music that was planning that night even though they were incredible. You made a grown woman once again be a child discovering new species! Thank you for the NightLife, otherwise I would not have been able to go
Love, thankful for the NightLife experience
2023-03-21T10:24:13-07:00
Pendulum pandemonium
I remember coming to the Steinhart way back in the early 90's with my little brothers. I was young. I remember my little brother climbing the handrail to the pendulum and disturbing it's swing. It hit the side of the rails and let out the loudest clang I had ever heard! My mom came running, but by then the pendulum was swinging way off course. Hilarious to kids like us. I was very happy to see it still there on my visit last year. Brought back a lot of memories.
The Blomquist Family
2023-03-21T10:20:31-07:00
Dear Mascot Claude
One of our favorite annual Christmas traditions is coming to the Academy member days for Christmas to take a picture with you - mascot Claude in Santa hat - we try to do it each year to get our little Xmas picture. Stay healthy Claude!
Love, Mark and Evelyn
2023-03-21T10:19:49-07:00
Dear Butterflies
One fine day you graced me with your presence by landing on my arm and fluttering ever so softly. Time felt like it froze as you flapped your wings and I looked on in awe..
Love, Natasha
2023-03-21T10:18:50-07:00
Dear Claude,
I fell in love with you the first time I saw you! I was so distracted by your beauty and elegance that I couldn't even get away to look at other exhibits. I have since collected all things "Claude" from the the store. I will continue to buy any and all Claude gear to add to my collection! I recently had surgery and the Claude stuffy got me through some long days of recovery.
Love, Michelle B.
2023-03-21T10:18:37-07:00
Dear Cal Academy,
I remember going to California Academy of Sciences as a child and reading the Far Side displays with my dad. Here is my son, enjoying snow in SF at one of our weekly outings to the museum.
The Darney Grimes Family
2023-03-21T10:15:58-07:00
dear butterflies in the rainforest
thank you for landing on my children and making them smile
julie
2023-03-21T10:07:45-07:00
Dear staff,
When the aquarium reopened, I was delighted to see that the same railing around the alligator pit had been retained. I probably should not have been so nostalgic as I did not have a good memory! When I was very little, in the early 1940s, my dad took me to the aquarium. I was looking at the writhing alligators through that same railing. My dad picked me up so I could see better. I thought he was going to drop me in there with those fearsome creatures and I screamed and cried. Claude is much less scary for little children. My favorite animal from those early days was the two-headed snake; he lived in an aquarium situated in an area around the alligators. I thought he was funny, and I had all sorts sof questions about how he ate.
Carolyn
2023-03-13T11:47:32-07:00
To: The Steinhart Aquarium (of yesteryear)
I’m old enough to remember when admission to what was then called Steinhart Aquarium was free. I also recall being dazzled by the old alligator grotto with its alligators remaining motionless for much of the time, and the alligator snapping turtles hiding along the edge of the pool. It never failed to delight each time I entered the aquarium. Another memory was the two headed snake, and I miss The Whales fountain by Robert Boardman Howard which used to be in front of the aquarium as you approached its entrance. Alas, I have many other memories too numerous to list here.
A native San Franciscan
2023-03-12T00:03:45-08:00
Dear Academy members
I remember very distinctly being a member of the Junior Academy during the summer of 1968 when I was just barely 12 years old, and going to a biweekly session of presentations on zoology and biology. I learned about all the phylums in the animal kingdom, starting with sponges, flatworms, and echinoderms. The museum felt like a second home to me, and every exhibit became something I felt I had inside knowledge of beyond the casual visitor. Of course, the Academy looked very different then, with the fountain and sculpture of porpoises forming the imposing entrance, and the reptile pool as the grand entrance. Zoology and biology became an ongoing area of fascination for me. I didn't end up becoming a zoologist, but a medical doctor, which I guess isn't too far astray. I hope the Academy continues to inspire our future generation of explorers and scientists!
Winston, Junior academy member 1968
2023-03-10T10:12:19-08:00
Dear Steinhart Aquarium,
I have many wonderful memories at the the Steinhart, from the 1970’s until today. My favorites: the alligator swamp, the fish roundabout with Leopard sharks, rays and the Great White shark. Pacific White Sided Dolphins, Harbor Seals, Penguins, etc. And of course, Claude. Here’s to the next 100 years!!!
Cheers, Rich Stalter
2023-02-28T19:39:19-08:00
Dear Claude
Decades ago when Steinhart decided to go solar, they hired FAFCO for the installation of the system. My ex husband worked for FAFCO at the time. A great white shark was brought to the aquarium and was in dismal shape so John McCosker joined the shark in the roundabout to walk that great white around the tank to save it. Sadly, the shark didn’t survive but it was the talk of the FAFCO installers for months! When the system was completed, Steinhart invited FAFCO staff and family to an after-hours party and opened the aquarium to us for the evening. There is so much intense activity that goes on beyond the scope of museum goers. Bravo Steinhart!! You are so totally amaaaaazing!
With awe, Jeanne
2023-02-27T19:08:21-08:00
Dear Academy of Sciences,
I spent many, many hours growing up at the Academy and, later, as a teenager. I remember being mesmerized by the alligators (lots of them), the African hall, and, of course, the planetarium (previous one) as a teenager where I could sneak a kiss with the latest boyfriend! Now I'm a docent and still love it. Thanks!
Thanks, Peggy
2023-02-27T19:00:26-08:00
To whatever aquatic creature it may concern:
In 1949-1951 I took great pleasure of riding my bike from Clayton and Parnassus to the Aquarium (and coincidentally De Young!) to see all the wonderful critters therein. There was no danger then for a young boy to embark on such an adventure in those days - did not even have to lock my bike. Favorite things were to see the fancy bronze seahorses surrounding the alligator pit (still there) and the whale skeleton right outside the entrance. The skeleton is gone, but the bronze horses remain. The Octopus was also always fascinating.
'Kenny' Kelly, age 84
2023-02-27T11:21:02-08:00
Dear spiny lumpsuckers,
Are you actual fish? Or cartoons? Who can say. One thing is certain: You have suctioned your way onto my heart and won't let go. I love you so!
Love, a fishy fan
2023-02-23T12:21:42-08:00

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