Aquarium of the Bay
Aquarium of the Bay
3.5
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Discover the beauty and diversity of Northern California aquatic life at Aquarium of the Bay. Located on the historic San Francisco waterfront at PIER 39, the Aquarium is home to more than 20,000 marine animals including sleek sharks and rays, secretive octopus, hypnotic jellyfish, sparkling anchovies, frolicking river otters, and many more.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingAdmission tickets
from
$32.75
Full view
Top ways to experience Aquarium of the Bay
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Fisherman’s Wharf
Packed with family-friendly entertainment, quality hotels, and good food, there's something for everyone at Fisherman's Wharf. From street performers and historic cable cars to art galleries and museums, a postcard-worthy photo is available on every corner. Bring your appetite: seafood lovers will be rewarded with Dungeness crab and sourdough bread bowls, while Ghirardelli Square will satiate anyone's sweet tooth after a day at Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Don't forget to say hello to the adorable sea lions that make this neighborhood a true San Francisco treat.
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,130 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,099 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
1,706 reviews
Excellent
385
Very good
529
Average
551
Poor
176
Terrible
66
tekohiwi
Whitianga, New Zealand600 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
A great aquarium and we enjoyed our time here. There are two levels and both very well done. It is very similar to Auckland’s Kelly Tarlton’s and I believe modelled off his idea. We asked for and received a seniors price so $25 US each with a free pass to Madame Tussaud’s which we used. That’s $78.18 NZ for two and two attractions so we were more than happy. Would recommend it.
Written January 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katelynn
Glendora, CA1 contribution
Mar 2021
I did a private virtual tour for about 60 students with my school and it was an amazing experience. I had received several messages from the students saying that it was a super fun event, they loved seeing all the animals, and they really liked how they were able to ask questions to the naturalist. Neha and Hunter did a phenomenal job guiding us around the aquarium and answering any questions we had.
Written March 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
benhill81
London, UK18 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
$29 and they give you a free Madame Tussaud’s ticket. I didn’t ask for this upsell but perhaps should have as it may have been cheaper.
Pricey for what it is. Went round in 30 minutes. Ok for children who I imagine cause chaos in summer months.
Octopus was best bit. Left a bit cheated but in prime location. Honestly don’t plan on investing a whole day here.
Pricey for what it is. Went round in 30 minutes. Ok for children who I imagine cause chaos in summer months.
Octopus was best bit. Left a bit cheated but in prime location. Honestly don’t plan on investing a whole day here.
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurence P
Newhaven, UK285 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
This aquarium was a lot small than we anticipated. The walk through tunnel was excellent, as was everything on display. It was small compared to others we had been to. I would have been disappointed if we paid full price; however, we had entrance on a pass. Don't expect to spend too long here.
Written August 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mini
Fremont, CA212,260 contributions
Jan 2020
I had a fun time at the Aquarium of the Bay. Its at Pier 39 in San Francisco.
There are three floors. The shark tank walk through is fun.
The sea otters were so cute to watch; they were incredibly active when we were there.
There are turtles, fish, sharks, and more to see. There is a touch pool.
I got the package that included the aquarium and Madame Tussad's Wax Museum.
Its a good aquarium for San Francisco. There are other aquariums such as Monterey Bay which is better.
There are three floors. The shark tank walk through is fun.
The sea otters were so cute to watch; they were incredibly active when we were there.
There are turtles, fish, sharks, and more to see. There is a touch pool.
I got the package that included the aquarium and Madame Tussad's Wax Museum.
Its a good aquarium for San Francisco. There are other aquariums such as Monterey Bay which is better.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Footprints27510
San Jose, CA6 contributions
If you're visiting or even living in the Bay Area, don't bother w/this attraction. It was so TINY for what they charge! What a waste of my $.
If you're in the Bay Area, go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Worth every penny and was voted one of the top aquariums in the country!
If you're in the Bay Area, go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Worth every penny and was voted one of the top aquariums in the country!
Written June 17, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
suzieraesmom
Abingdon, VA159 contributions
Jul 2018
The last thing I wanted to do in San Francisco was visit another aquarium, but my group insisted. As it turned out, it was a good choice that I very much enjoyed. What made this aquarium different was the emphasis on local marine life and the local educational information. I especially enjoyed reading about the impact of a dam and how it impacted certain species and the efforts to reverse the damage. There are only two floors so it didn't take long to complete the visit but definitely worth the time!
Written July 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoPlaces37020
New York, NY3 contributions
My husband and I absolutely loved Aquarium of the Bay. It only took about an hour to go through which was perfect since we wanted to to see the rest of Fisherman's Wharf and Alcatraz that same day.
The Aquarium is all about the fish found in and around San Francisco Bay. We happened to be there during one of their shark feedings which was so cool (they feed the sharks individually by putting fish on the end of a pole). My husband really liked walking through the two tunnels where sharks, rays and other fish swim overhead. We even got lucky enough to see the octupus come out of its hiding spot! I really liked touching the rays (which were incredibly soft) and leopard sharks (which felt a lot like sandpaper). How many people can say they touched a shark? We highly recommend it.
The Aquarium is all about the fish found in and around San Francisco Bay. We happened to be there during one of their shark feedings which was so cool (they feed the sharks individually by putting fish on the end of a pole). My husband really liked walking through the two tunnels where sharks, rays and other fish swim overhead. We even got lucky enough to see the octupus come out of its hiding spot! I really liked touching the rays (which were incredibly soft) and leopard sharks (which felt a lot like sandpaper). How many people can say they touched a shark? We highly recommend it.
Written April 14, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve B
Las Vegas, NV69 contributions
Feb 2020
The focus is on what you would find in the bay, so you will not see exotic fish from other regions. But they are well laid out, easy to get through, and even have the pools where you can touch rays and other animals. We were there on a holiday weekend and the place was still clean and well maintained.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FaaabiCruz
Curitiba, PR108 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
This is the kind of attraction that I had higher expectations, but I was a bit disappointed. After visiting a few other aquariums around the US, this one is not that impressive. The kid that was with us enjoyed it a lot, and the person who needed a wheelchair in our group was also able to get it, for free. Visit without expectations and you should be fine, watch out for the animal touching, which is great.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
E’ necessario prenotare la visita?
Written August 13, 2019
Hi, Are there seahorses at this aquarium?
Written October 14, 2018
Yes there are plenty of them.
Written October 15, 2018
Hi, No children under 3 are free
Written September 25, 2018
Sneha R
San Jose, California
Can we bring food from home inside? Where do we eat the home cooked food once we are inside?
Written September 5, 2018
I really didn't see any place inside to eat. I really don't remember seeing any place inside that even sells food. The Aquarium is on Pier39 & there is a lot of food places to eat. You might be able to bring food & eat it somewhere outside. I hope this helps.
Written September 5, 2018
It is a small aquarium & you can probably see it in about an hour or less . To me it was a very good aquarium. I've been to a few throughout Ca. What I liked the best was that it had more than 1 tunnel where fish swim all around you. Overhead & around the sides. It feels like you are scuba diving without getting wet. It is pretty peaceful there & I can spend lots of time in the tunnels.
Written September 5, 2018
Is there someplace to park that's reasonably priced?
Written November 30, 2015
I parked off site and walked (less than 5 minutes). Ended up being less than $10 which is probably the best/safest option.
Written December 2, 2015
Showing results 1-9 of 9
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing