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Aquarium of the Bay
Dive into the wonders of San Francisco Bay—walk through underwater tunnels and touch a stingray!
4.4(5 reviews)
arts-entertainment
$$
Dive into the wonders of San Francisco Bay—walk through underwater tunnels and touch a stingray!
Located at PIER 39 on The Embarcadero, Aquarium of the Bay is a premier marine attraction showcasing the diverse aquatic life of the San Francisco Bay. Featuring immersive glass tunnels where sharks, rays, and colorful fish swim overhead, interactive touch pools, and educational exhibits on local conservation, it offers a fun and informative experience for families, tourists, and marine enthusiasts. With highlights like river otter displays and hands-on activities, it's a must-visit destination blending entertainment with environmental awareness.
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Experience walking through glass tunnels surrounded by sharks, rays, and bay fish in a simulated marine environment.
Hands-on exhibits where visitors can gently touch stingrays and other marine creatures under staff supervision.
Informative displays about San Francisco Bay marine life, conservation efforts, and local ecosystems.
Observe playful river otters in a habitat designed to mimic their natural environment with scheduled feedings.
Guided tours for schools, families, and groups with tailored educational programs and discounted rates.
A store offering marine-themed souvenirs, apparel, and educational materials for all ages.
Small fun aquarium near Pier 39. Expect the whole experience to last between an hour to 90 minutes. Highlights include the shark tunnel, the bay petting area, and the river otter display. Used a Get Out pass for discounted entry.
We really enjoyed our visit to Aquarium of the Bay. You can genuinely feel the intention behind the space — from the exhibits to the overall experience. It was educational, relaxing, and thoughtfully done, especially for visitors who want to learn more about marine life in the Bay Area. We truly hope the aquarium continues to thrive and that more people come out to support it. Places like this deserve to last. More power to the team, and thank you for a lovely experience!
We had a blast. Was a short tour but got to see alot of fish and sea life Loved the tunnel. Great place to take kids. They have some fun interaction stuff too. Can pet a stingray. We will for sure be back. Wasn't a crazy line to get in and prices weren't too bad. Highly suggest if on pier to check it out.
Pros: - Beautiful animals, knowledgeable staff, information displayed at each exhibit. - Discount for Bay Area residents with ID (~$24 per adult). - Tunnel, bat ray petting area and otters are the highlights. - A wholesome, educational and fun experience for everyone. - Other attractions at the pier outside of the aquarium. Cons: - Street parking is very limited, garage parking nearby ranges: • $10 per hour, $30 - $40 longterm - Building entrance is not handicap accessibility friendly. - Aquarium exhibits are very dirty (fingerprints, animal poop, poor ventilation). - Some exhibits are empty - Crowded, even on a weekday. - Gift shop may be pricey depending on your budget ($51 sweater, $25 t-shirt) Recommendations: - Bring hand sanitizer and wear a mask (it's a COVID party). - Disabled people may be able to enter through the building across the bridge in order to avoid the stairs but idk for sure. Other Details: - You can see men using the urinal from outside of the bathroom in the reflection of the bathroom mirror because it faces the urinals and there is no door. Staff should address this. - I'm no expert but it seems like some animals should have more space (sardines, jellyfish, eel, turtles, etc.) It seems like they only have the bare minimal amount to meet legal requirements (I assume). - Some animals appear bored and lonely.
Aquarium of the Bay is a lovely stop right on Pier 39 — not too big, but full of charm. The main highlight is walking through the underwater glass tunnels, surrounded by sharks, rays, and schools of colorful fish from the San Francisco Bay. It really feels like stepping into another world beneath the water. It’s both educational and relaxing, with lots of information about local marine life and conservation efforts. Kids love it, but adults usually end up just as fascinated. ✨ Tip: It’s a perfect place to visit before or after watching the sea lions nearby. If you go in the afternoon, you can enjoy the aquarium, grab a coffee, and then stay for sunset over the bay.
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