Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, CA

Embarcadero at Beach Street • San Francisco, CA 94133
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Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, California
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Welcome Back! Aquarium of the Bay at PIER 39, has created protocols to maintain a safe and healthy environment during your visit.

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Overview

From adorable river otters to green moray eels, you’ll discover the natural wonders of marine life at Aquarium of the Bay. With over 1000 aquatic animal species to see and learn about, this aquarium is ideal for all ages. Dive deep into the bay (without the diving, of course) to see the octopus, jellyfish, and more. A touch exhibit is available but remember to respect the marine life!

Good To Know

from Ashley, one of our San Francisco Travel Experts
  • The aquarium is closed on Christmas Day.
  • Aquarium of the Bay does not validate parking.
  • Exhibits feature thousands of aquatic animals and plants.
  • Interactive exhibits provide visitors with hands-on learning opportunities.
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Description

from Aquarium of the Bay
Explore the magic, beauty, and wonder of San Francisco Bay at Aquarium of the Bay. Your visit will take you through three main habitat areas that display the amazing riches that lie beneath the surface of the San Francisco Bay and surrounding waters.

DISCOVER THE BAY
Your exploration begins in Discover the Bay, which features eight exhibits holding over 1,000 aquatic animals. Exhibit highlights include the bright orange Garibaldi (the California State Marine Fish), green moray eels, rockfish, swirling schools of anchovies and newly hatched skates, baby perch, and other fish.

UNDER THE BAY
Continue your journey and see mesmerizing jellies before entering our two tunnels with leopard shark, giant sea bass, bat rays, giant Pacific octopuses, eight-foot seven-gill sharks San Francisco's Bay’s largest predators, and five other locals species of sharks.

TOUCH THE BAY
Get ready for an unforgettable experience with the change to touch bay rays, sharks, sea stars, sea cucumbers and more.

At the interactive PG&E Bay Lab, learn from our naturalist how climate change is affecting the Bay’s animals on land in the water.

NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTERS: WATERSHED AMBASSADORS
These active and engaging wildlife ambassadors help to teach us how important it is to have a healthy environment to live and swim in. Watch their antics as they romp, wrestle and tumble around in cascading waterfalls, two pools, and naturalistic climbing logs.

Your ticket also includes admission to the Sea Lion Center – PIER 39, Eco Center at Heron Park – South end of San Francisco and the Bay Model – in Sausalito. The Sea Lion Center features interactive displays, educational videos, fascinating presentations, and one-on-one interactions with Naturalists. Visitors can touch real sea lion artifacts, including pelts and skulls, or size themselves up next to a life-sized sea lion skeleton.

The EcoCenter at Heron’s Head Park is an education community center that uses sustainable on-site power, water, and wastewater systems. Nearly every feature of this facility is designed to educating the public about
renewable energy, pollution and greenhouse gas reduction, wastewater treatment, sustainable building materials, rainwater harvesting, and the green economy. Features Solar Photovoltaic Energy System, Living Roof, and Native Only Landscaping.

The Bay Model shows the effect of the water flow of the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This allows scientists, educations, and visitors the chance to view the complete bay-delta system complete with working tides and currents.

Closed on Christmas Day.


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Promotional Images (47)
Under The Bay - Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, California Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, California Discover the Bay - Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, California Near Shore Tunnel Bay Model Alliance Visitor Center - Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, California
Customer Photos (107)
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Tripster Customer Reviews

166 Reviews
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Sibi s.
Pleasanton, CA
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"A wonderful experience"
January 2020
I should definitely thanks Tripster for giving tickets at a really great price. I have been comparing many websites for cheaper ticket prices ,but I got the best deal with tripster.
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Kayla Chelman
Tracy, CA
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Took our son for the first time"
January 2020
My son is 1, and he loved seeing all the fish swimming! Just wish it were bigger
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Vladimir German
Sacramento , CA
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Amazing Experience!"
January 2020
One of the most interesting places to visit on Pier 39! The staff here is very kind and energetic. They gave us specific directions on how we could touch the stingrays, and also explained everything you would want to know about jellyfish. Personally, my favorite was walking through the two long tunnels and seeing all the different species of animals swim overhead!
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Tip: Kids will love seeing the marine life at this aquarium!

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Duvan Castano
1 Review
"visit"
December 2019
Animals should be free
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Tip: No

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Ashley Jones
Sonoma, CA
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Not worth the money"
November 2019
It’s very small and crowded. For the prices they are asking for, this was not worth it at all. It took only 40 minutes to go through it and that was us taking our time. You’re better off going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
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Vanessa G.
Vacaville , CA
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"EASY, MONEY SAVER, AWESOME!!"
September 2019
My fiancé and I were in San Francisco for the day. We had absolutely no plans and came up with the idea of heading to the aquarium.
Not only did we save $20, the purchase was so quick and so easy!!!
We will definitely be using this again!
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Tip: FAST, MONEY SAVER

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Tripster Customer
Brentwood , CA
2 Reviews
Verified Traveler
"Flippin’ Fantastic"
July 2019
This Aquarium is wonderful! The exhibits are fun and well taken care of. They had the cutest baby bat rays that were very social in the touch pool. They had the largest freshwater fish in North America. They also make a point to express the need for conservation and care of our oceans and those who live there. Fantastic, Thanks!
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Tip: It is on pier 39, and they stamp your hand so you can be exploring other places, and come back for shows and feedings!

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Jael Raymond
Midland , MI
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Small but nice"
June 2019
There was some really cool areas in the aquarium like the tunnels that has sea life surrounding you. Just wish it was a little bigger.
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TripAdvisor Reviews
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697dij
Pittsburg, California
"Over priced and tiny "
TripAdvisor user rating 2 out of 5
Reviewed October 18, 2020 NEW
Pros - 1. the location is good, on pier 39 and have tons of other things you can do. 2. Well managed Cons - 1. Expensive - $29 for adult. You can finish it in one hour easily. 2. Small with limited number of animals - it’s even smaller than the aquarium within the Mandalay Bay hotel in vegas. 3. No bigger animals like sea otters, bigger sharks. 4. Types of fishes are limited too. Only one or two fish tanks with colorful fish
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onecoolraisin
Huntersville, North Carolina
"Small but nice"
TripAdvisor user rating 4 out of 5
Reviewed July 29, 2020
Don’t expect a huge aquarium from the beginning and you will enjoy the experience. It’s well done and the staff is very friendly, even the intoxicated person in the otter costume. Adds to the memories.
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NaomiF2901
"Small and overpriced "
TripAdvisor user rating 3 out of 5
Reviewed April 20, 2020
To be honest we only went because we were short on time and had a pass with attraction inclusions - many of which we couldn't use! The aquarium is quite expensive really if you look at the admission fee and in reality the most you get out of it is about an hour. It's not very big at all but obviously the bits they do have is really nice and interesting. My favourite by far were the otters at the end. I'm sure it's great fun for small kids but a family day out in here is a small fortune.
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Allison S
Staunton, Virginia
"Small but cool"
TripAdvisor user rating 4 out of 5
Reviewed March 11, 2020
This aquarium was smaller than I expected but it had a lot of cool exhibits. We especially like the tunnel through the fish tank and watching the otters.
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Kedgej
Chalfont St Peter
"Small.. ok if you have kids"
TripAdvisor user rating 3 out of 5
Reviewed February 29, 2020
Very small! Not sure it was worth the money. Very geared up to kids. There was a squirrel in a tiny glass enclosure which was very sad to see. It was going back & forth as if it was looking for an escape route. More locked up than one of the Alcatraz prisoners of old! All in all it seemed a bit dingy & in need of modernisation.
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Aquarium of the Bay is located at Embarcadero at Beach Street • San Francisco, CA 94133
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Frequently Asked Questions about Aquarium of the Bay

Is parking available?
Parking facilities are available at Pier 35 or across from the main entrance at the PIER 39 garage. The garage is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Aquarium of the Bay does not validate parking, but many PIER 39 restaurants do.

What is the best way to get to Aquarium of the Bay?
Utilizing public transportation is highly recommended. Present a valid Bay Area public transportation pass and receive $2 off adult admission, and $1 off child/senior admission (cannot be combined with any other offer).

What programs are available to ticket holders?
Aquarium of the Bay hosts several daily programs for guests, including Shark Station, Sharks of Alcatraz, Meet Our Otters, California touch pools, and many “up close and personal” opportunities with several animals.

Can I bring my service dog?
Yes. Guests may bring service dogs into the aquarium.

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