SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE.
San Francisco Aquarium of the Bay: What to Expect During Your Visit
By: Jill Loeffler • Published: November 21, 2011 • Updated: February 5, 2025
Our San Francisco Aquarium of the Bay, is a fun kid and family-friendly attraction in Fisherman's Wharf.
Located conveniently on Pier 39, it's also the perfect pick for anyone that is interested in seeing and learning more about the plants and animals that live right next door in the SF Bay.
I had the chance to explore this San Francisco aquarium again in January 2025. My page offers updated details and pictures from my recent visit.
Jill's Five Reasons to Visit
There is so much to love about this aquarium on Pier 39. Here are my five favorite things to do here and why I think you will enjoy your visit.
- Walk Through Tunnels: Follow the sharks, rays and fish as they swim above and around you in two walk-through tunnels.
- Hands-On Touch Pools: Touch sea stars, anemones, and small rays in their hands-on touch pools.
- Local SF Bay Marine Life: Learn about the local marine life in and around the San Francisco Bay.
- Jellyfish Tanks: Gaze at a variety of jellyfish as they float around their tanks. This is my personal favorite!
- River Otters: Watch the playful river otters swim, play and interact with each other. This is a visitor favorite!
This is one of my favorite jellyfish tanks. I love the blue background, which makes it easier to really check out these large, yellow jellyfish.The flow of this attraction is fantastic. I've visited numerous times and learn something new during each stop.
The first exhibits in the museum show the smaller animals and plants living near the top of the water in the SF Bay.
As you continue through this San Francisco Bay aquarium, your visit takes you deeper and deeper into the water where more of the larger plants and animals live including starfish, sharks, and other interesting creatures.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
What to Know Before You Arrive
- Located on the eastern side of Pier 39 in Fisherman's Wharf
- Takes about 90 minutes to two hours to walk through the aquarium
- Tickets are $28 for adults (13 - 64), $24 for seniors (65+), $20 for kids 4 - 12, and free for kids under 3
- Open every day from 10 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4:30 pm) except Christmas Day
- Perfect for kids of all ages
This is a look up at a shark swimming around the second walk-through tunnels at the Aquarium of the Bay.More Tips for Visiting Fisherman's Wharf
Here are a few additional articles to help you plan for your visit to Fisherman's Wharf.
Additional Information for Visiting the Aquarium of the Bay
Best Times to Visit
The best time to visit is first thing in the morning. This is usually when I visit and it's still pretty quiet during this time. Make sure to arrive just as they open the doors to get in first.
This is also the time when some school groups come in, but you can enter before they get checked in which will give you a great chance to start before they get too far into their visit.
Monday through Thursday are usually the best, as the weekends can get quite crowded. However, if you get there early, you can usually beat the crowds.
You will also find less people from January through April. This is low season in San Francisco, and since it isn't as busy, it is another good time to visit.
Daily Programs
They daily programs are a great way to learn more about the fascinating animals that live in the aquarium. Here is their standard feeding schedule.
- Sundays: Big Feed at 2 pm
- Mondays: Squid Dissection at 2 pm
- Tuesdays: Animal Encounter at 2 pm
- Wednesdays: Otter Enrichment at 1 pm and 3 pm
- Thursdays: Big Feed at 2 pm
- Fridays: Animal Encounter at 2 pm
- Saturdays: Squid Dissection at 2pm
Hours and Admission
- Open seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm, last admission is at 4:30 pm
- Open on all holidays except Christmas
- Adults: $28; Seniors (65+): $24; Children (4-12): $20; Kids under 3: $0
- The Aquarium of the Bay does not offer regular free days. Find other museums with free days in SF.
- Both active and retired military personal can get free admission, but the tickets must be picked up in advance at either Beale Air Force Base or Travis Air Force Base. More details on military discounts around SF.
- The Aquarium of the Bay is included in the CityPass and GoCity discount cards.
What You'll Experience When You Visit
Your visit starts on the second floor. This is the history area with some videos and written information.
You can learn more about ocean pollution, the megalodon prehistoric shark, and other sharks in the bay.
There are also a couple of tanks here that you can quickly check out before you head downstairs.
The second floor is small with just a few exhibits, but don't let that fool you as there is so much to see here!
After you complete the second floor, you look out over the San Francisco bay as you wait for the elevator to take you downstairs.
This is where you will find most of the exhibits in the Aquarium of the Bay.
San Francisco Aquarium Jellyfish
When you enter the first floor, the first thing you'll see is a large jellyfish display. These are just a few pictures of the jellyfish on display.
I love spending time in this area learning about and watching the jellyfish as they float around their tanks. There are three to four tanks here filled with different types of jellyfish.
During my last visit, one was also filled with baby jellyfish!
This tank was full of baby jellyfish. They aren't always on display as they move to the other tanks as they grow. The red one is a light from behind me and it reflected on the tank's glass - so it's not a jellyfish, but it would be cool if there was a red one!
These are always my favorites. The aquarium did a great job with the blue background. It helps you get a great look at these colorful creatures.Ready to buy your tickets? Find skip the line tickets here.
San Francisco Aquarium Tunnels
The San Francisco bay aquarium is a delight throughout. However, one of the biggest draws is their two walk-through tunnels. The first one contains smaller fish and quite a few starfish.
There are also usually some starfish on the glass of this first tunnel. I love seeing what they look like underneath!The second walk-through tunnel is up next. This one has several small sharks and large stingrays.
This is the entrance to the second tunnel, also known as the Shark Tunnel. This one has larger creatures than the first one.
Once you finish in the second tunnel, you will hop back on the elevator and head up to the top floor.
Bay Lab: Touch Ponds and Other Activities
This is the interactive area where you can see several animals up close and touch stingrays, anemones and starfish.
Here is a look at some of the things you can do in this area of the Aquarium of the Bay on Pier 39.
In addition to these displays, they also have some other animals. They include turtles, a snake, and an opossum. Throughout the day, these animals are brought out of their cages, so visitors get the chance to see them close up.
Here is the schedule from the last day I visited. This schedule changes daily, so make sure to ask when you arrive what today's schedule is, so you don't miss out on these fun hands on activities at this San Francisco aquarium.
Sea Otters
After you walk through Bay Labs, you get to watch the Sea Otters play around.
Since my last visit was before the aquarium opened to the public, the sea otters weren't "at work" yet, so I didn't get a chance to see them.
However, this is another one of my favorite areas. They are so fun to watch as they play around and interact with each other.
San Francisco Aquarium Fun Facts
- This San Francisco aquarium is home to more than 200 species and 20,000 animals.
- It's a Smithsonian affiliate and accredited by the Associate of Zoos and Aquariums.
- It opened in April 1996 and was originally called UnderWater World; it was renamed Aquarium of the Bay in 2000.
- It's home to more than 50 sharks including Broadnose Sevengill sharks, Leopard sharks, and Spiny dogfish.
- The two tunnels are 300 feet in length and hold more than 700,000 gallons of water.
More Ideas to Help with Your San Francisco Vacation
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring toddlers?
Yes, they will LOVE this SF aquarium. They will have a blast watching the jellyfish. Toddlers also enjoy the two tunnels where there are fish swimming all around them. Here are a few more fun things to do with toddlers in SF.
Can I bring my stroller?
Yes, the aisles have plenty of space for a stroller. There are also elevators to get you to the main entrance from Pier 39 and inside to get you from the second floor to the bottom floor.
What should I wear?
Casual wear is best along with a comfortable pair of shoes. I typically wear jeans with a T-shirt and bring along a sweater to add as it does get a little cooler on the bottom floor. You can also learn more about what to wear by month here.
Can we bring our own food?
This SF Aquarium does not allow food to be brought in. They do allow closed lid drinks, but no other food or drinks are allowed.
Can I bring my dog?
Only service animals are allowed in the aquarium. All other animals will not be permitted to enter.
Is this SF Aquarium ADA Accessible?
The San Francisco Bay Aquarium is mostly accessible. To get to the main entrance, you will need to take an elevator to the second floor.
The aquarium itself offers wide aisles and flat surfaces. You will also find an elevator you can access to get from the upper floor to the bottom level.
They also have wheelchairs available for use. I always recommend calling ahead to ensure this is still the case and they are available.
If you plan to do the Behind the Scenes tour, please contact the aquarium a few days before your arrival. There are certain areas of the tour that are not fully accessible, but they will do some rearranging to ensure it's as accessible as possible.
Parking Near the Aquarium of the Bay
The best place to park is in the Pier 39 parking garage. It's right across the street and the closest place to park.
Parking nearby is expensive. Rates by the hour vary based on the day but range around $10 to $15 an hour. The maximum daily rate is up to $60.
You can minimize the cost of your parking by staying for a bite to eat on Pier 39 and asking for parking validation. Most, but not all, restaurants validate parking for up to one hour at this garage.
Make sure to ask before you order and don't forget to request them to validate your ticket before you leave. This validation will cover one hour of parking in the garage.
If you are okay with walking, you will find some additional parking nearby. Here are a few recommendations.
- Wharf Garage at 350 Beach Street: This lot is about four blocks from Pier 39.
- SP+ Parking @ Triangle Lot at 170 Jefferson Street: This lot is just a couple of blocks away. There aren't many spots and it has high foot traffic.
- C Garage, Lot #20 at 2210 Stockton Street: This one is about three blocks away.
Hotels Near the Aquarium of the Bay
You will find dozens of hotels just a short walk away from this San Francisco bay aquarium. Here are a few of my top picks.
Hotel RIU Plaza Fisherman's Wharf: This 4-star hotel that is just a couple of blocks from Pier 39, 2500 Mason St. Read guest reviews and prices for your stay.
Hotel Zephyr: This 3.5-star hotel is also just a couple of short blocks away. It's a newly remodeled hotel and some rooms offer bay views, 250 Beach Street. Check out recent guest reviews and find room rates during your stay.
The Wharf Inn: This is another nearby hotel that has a 2-star rating, so it means it doesn't have as many amenities as the other two listed above here. It's popular though as it's one of the more affordable options in the Fisherman's Wharf district. It's just four blocks away at 2601 Mason. Check out more details and reviews about The Wharf Inn.
>> Find additional nearby hotels on my hotel page for Fisherman's Wharf
More Things to Do Near the Aquarium of the Bay
This area in Fisherman's Wharf is full of fun activities. Here are just a few of the fun things to do near the Aquarium of the Bay.
Bay Cruises: Either before or after your visit, head out on the SF Bay to experience all the water has to offer. You will learn about SF's history and waterfront attractions. You will also get amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Sausalito, and the SF Skyline.
Alcatraz Tours: This infamous federal prison sits in the middle of the SF Bay. It's open to visitors all year long and offers an award winning self-guided audio tour. These tours last about 2 to 3 hours and are a must do on your visit. Learn more here.
Ghirardelli Square: Another fun shopping complex is Ghirardelli Square. You will find several local retailers where you can buy unique items. They also have some great restaurants and a place to sample local wines. Learn more here.
Which San Francisco Aquarium is the Best?
This is a question I get all of the time and it's always difficult to answer. San Francisco is home to two wonderful aquariums: The Aquarium of the Bay and the Steinhart Aquarium.
The first focuses on the plants and animals that live right in the bay. It's a wonderful hands-on experience with two tunnels that you can walk through. It has more than 20,000 animals and is right in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf.
The Steinhart Aquarium is inside the California Academy of Sciences. You can visit it along with the other attractions within the California Academy of Sciences such as their 4-story rain forest, planetarium, natural history museum, and more.
They have fewer species here, but this SF living museum is also home to some penguins, a rare white alligator, and a variety of other exhibits.
So, which aquarium in San Francisco is better? If I'm only looking for an aquarium experience, I would head to the Aquarium of the Bay since it has more underwater animals. If I'm looking for a variety of exhibits in addition to a wonderful aquarium, I'd head to the California Academy of Sciences.
Book your tickets to this gem today. I recommend booking them in advance, so you can take advantage of their skip-the-line privileges.
Hi, I'm Jill!
Dreaming of a San Francisco vacation? As a proud local, I'm here to share my insider tips and personal experiences to help you make the most of this iconic city!
 |
 |
 |
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!
