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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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 (46)
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
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Tripster Customer Reviews

163 Reviews
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Duvan Castano
1 Review
"visit"
December 2019 NEW
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 NEW
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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Darian Wang
San Jose , CA
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"SF Aquarium of the Bay"
June 2019
Fast and easy, download tickets in phone and screen it when arriving.
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Tip: Go straight to the entrance to redeem your ticket

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Ty Ferguson
Twain Harte, CA
1 Review
Verified Traveler
"Not Worth the Price"
June 2019
I was expecting a lot more than was delivered. If you have visited any other major aquarium in the past do not waste your money on this one. Very small (took less than 30 minutes to see 'everything') and very little interaction or activity. The Sea Otter "encounter" amounted to two sea otters asleep in the rocks.
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Tip: High price for the experience

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Ana Rivera
1 Review
"We love this Aquarium"
June 2019
Its very good place . Clean, safe and they have a friendly staff.
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TripAdvisor Reviews
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Sara T
DC area
"the most pathetic excuse for an aquarium i have ever been to!"
TripAdvisor user rating 1 out of 5
Reviewed November 12, 2019 NEW
nothing worth seeing there. better to spend your time watching the seals basking at pier 39!! have nothing to say about the place to fill the required length for this reiview nothing worth seeing there. better to spend your time watching the seals basking at pier 39!! nothing worth seeing there. better to spend your time watching the seals basking at pier 39!! nothing worth seeing there. better to spend your time watching the seals basking at pier 39!!
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Alfredo8074
San Juan, Puerto Rico
"Must see"
TripAdvisor user rating 5 out of 5
Reviewed October 29, 2019
This aquarium is fun to visit. They have plenty of sea creatures in their pond for you to walk around and see the fish all around you. They have good explanations of the sea around the San Francisco Bay and trained guides are all over so that you can ask questions. They are eager to offer explanations and educate the visitors. Good to do.
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LISAL581
Sacramento, California
"It is a nice smaller Aquarium"
TripAdvisor user rating 4 out of 5
Reviewed October 26, 2019
I like the aquarium because you can see everything and doesnt take all day, you still have time to see other exhibits. We enjoyed the tunnels where the fish swam above us and we are right next to the walls to see the sharks close up. We really liked the jelly fish tanks with their beautiful colors. It really has alot of fish and tanks in a smaller area. There is also a place where you can feed the mantaray and fish as they swim. It was a nice place to come.
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Locksbottom
Orpington, United Kingdom
"Small but clean and informative"
TripAdvisor user rating 3 out of 5
Reviewed October 24, 2019
We have visited aquariums in various places around the world and this is one of the smallest - that said it is very well laid out with staff on hand to impart their knowledge and answer questions. The jelly fish and octopus were amazing - we have never seen an octopus moving around like it was. HOWEVER, if short of time, the aquarium within the Academy of Science in Golden Gate Park is, in our opinion, far better. Cannot really comment on value for money as this was included in our city passes but it took us about 50 minutes to walk around and we were looking at exhibits and reading information etc.
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Dr_Iris_B
Ramat Gan, Israel
"Loved it!"
TripAdvisor user rating 5 out of 5
Reviewed October 18, 2019
This is a great Aquarium to visit ! There was something to see and enjoy for all ages and members of the family. We even got free tickets to Madame Tussaud next door and that was an unexpected treat! The aquarium is highly recommended!
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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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Customer Support

Customer Support

Contact us for support or help booking your trip at 1-844-560-7215.

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