Dino Days

  • Colorful illustration of a roaring T. rex and Triceratops in a prehistoric tropical landscape
  • Animatronic T. rex on exhibit in East Garden at Cal Academy for Dino Days
  • Animatronic Parasaurolophus dinosaur and babies on exhibit in East Garden for Dino Days at Cal Academy
  • Animatronic life-size model of Euoplocephalus by Billings Productions
  • Animatronic life-size model of Deinonychus by Billings Productions
Something clawsome is coming to the Academy! Toothy T. rex, duck-billed Parasaurolophus, and 11 other moving, roaring, animatronic dinosaurs are invading the East and West Gardens on March 1.

This spring, come face-to-fang with prehistoric giants as 13 awe-inspiring, life-size animatronic dinosaurs take over both of the Academy’s outdoor gardens in our biggest Dino Days ever.

  • Climb atop Pachyrhinosaurus for an unforgettable photo op; admire the elaborate feathers of Deinonychus; and marvel at massive and mighty Tyrannosaurus rex.
  • Catch a puppet show starring a cute baby sauropod, then stomp the competition at Dino Trivia.
  • Become a paleontologist for the day while digging for dinosaur fossils in the sand—and learn how fossils help scientists piece together the past.

Get ready to relive your dinosaur phase: Dino Days opens March 1!

Members see it first: Become a member for an exhibit preview on February 28 and an exclusive screening of Why Dinosaurs?, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and Executive Director Scott Sampson, on March 9.

Animatronic life-size model of Styracosaurus by Billings Productions

Cretaceous creatures

We’ve doubled our dinosaur footprint since 2019! Inhabiting the East Garden will be Amargasaurus, Euoplocephalus, Pachyrhinosaurus, Troodon, and T. rex. The West Garden will welcome Brachiosaurus, Deinonychus, Parasaurolophus, Styrachosaurus (pictured above), and Suchomimus. Both gardens will feature a hands-on fossil dig pit.

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A Cal Academy presenter on stage in the Piazza during a dinosaur puppet show

Dino-mite programs

Guests of all ages will dig our daily programs—and DIY crafts will keep little hands busy. Grab a seat for Sauropod Adventure (Piazza, 11 a.m.), an interactive stage show starring a newly hatched dinosaur; bone up on your paleontology knowledge for Stomp or Chomp: Dinosaur Trivia Showdown (Piazza, 1 p.m.); and swing by the Swamp for mask- and puppet-making on weekends.

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Striking profile of Claude the albino alligator at Cal Academy

Living fossils

Our dinosaurs are animatronic, but our “living fossils” are the real deal. Discover Steinhart Aquarium’s ancient species that haven’t changed much in millions of years: Claude, our alligator with albinism, and his snapping turtle tankmates in the Swamp; matamata turtles in the Amazon Flooded Forest; and Methuselah, our Australian lungfish in Water Planet—also the world’s oldest fish in human care.

Meet Claude
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Dr. Scott Sampson, Cal Academy Executive Director and host of Dinosaur Train, smiles with two young fans

Lounge with lizards

Dino Days opens March 1—but Penguins+Pajamas Sleepover guests will get a sneak peek the night before! Families with kids ages 4–17 are invited to an extra-special overnight on Feb. 28 featuring Dinosaur Train’s Dr. Scott (a.k.a. our executive director), a dino-themed scavenger hunt, private planetarium shows, and more.

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Bright yellow Dino Days wordmark

All dinosaur photos on this page courtesy of Billings Productions.

More to explore

Sink your teeth into these related exhibits, events, blogs, and learning resources. 
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GIF of a dinosaur themed kids craft
Science @ Home: Dinosaurs

Romp, stomp, and roar with prehistoric dinosaurs in this collection of dino-themed activities for ages 4-8.

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Claude the Academy's albino alligator shows off his toothy grin
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Welcome to the Academy's hub for exploration, with books, games, specimens, and more. Open daily; hours vary.

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Activate your kids' curiosity about the natural world in our outdoor nature play and exploration space.