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Giants of Land and Sea
Northern California is where big ideas are born—and the largest living things on Earth thrive. Explore the powerful natural phenomena that shape our coastline, shake our cities, and nourish our forests.
Giants of Land and Sea was on view from June 15, 2018, through January 15, 2024. Stay tuned for more information about a new exhibition (including a refreshed earthquake simulator) opening later this spring!
Life at the edge of land and sea is dynamic and ever-changing, where fog rolls in, tectonic plates tremble, and sea otters frolic in the kelp forest canopy. In this original exhibit, science becomes sensory as you explore Northern California's natural wonders through a variety of interactive experiences:
- Feel your way through an immersive fog room
- Encounter a 4-ton cross-section of a redwood tree
- Keep your balance in an earthquake simulator
- Virtually ascend to the top of a towering redwood
Giants of Land and Sea celebrates the extraordinary biodiversity in our own backyard—and the scientists and citizens taking action every day to sustain it.
Super-sized specimens
California’s nutrient-rich coastal waters attract migrating megafauna with massive appetites. Check out a display of humpback, minke, and sperm whale skulls from our scientific collections before examining some unexpected artifacts—whale earwax, anyone?
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Liquid diet
Coast redwoods reach record-breaking heights in part thanks to the thirst-quenching power of fog. Step inside the Fog Room for a quintessential NorCal experience—and share your #FogRoom selfie after emerging from the mist.
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Moving mountains
The Bay Area is famous for its movers and shakers—including the temperamental tectonic plates it’s built on. Enter the reimagined Shake House earthquake simulator to be transported to the epicenter of the powerful 1906 and 1989 temblors.
Photo credit: Hear2heaL, SUNSET ROCKS San Andreas Fault, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Golden State, green future
Northern California’s flora and fauna may be larger than life, but they’re not immune to widespread ecological harm. The Academy’s Thriving California initiative is harnessing scientific data and mobilizing diverse communities to fight climate change, stop biodiversity loss, and advocate for nature throughout our state.
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A multilingual exhibit
The Academy celebrates our multilingual region by translating the Giants exhibit into Chinese (中文), Filipino, and Spanish (español).
To translate calacademy.org into over 100 languages, click the drop-down menu at the bottom of any Academy webpage.
The Yurok people and salmon are intertwined in northern California and have been since time immemorial.
Watch a 4-ton cross-section of a fallen redwood as it makes its way from a remote forest to the Academy floor.
The Yurok people are at the forefront of restoring habitat for threatened fish such as salmon.
The Yurok tribe successfully fought to remove dams on the upper Klamath River, so the salmon have returned!
We aim to regenerate biodiversity, build climate resilience, and advance equitable access to nature statewide.
The Academy is celebrating Native American Heritage Month by highlighting the work of local Indigenous groups.
Generously supported by:
