Aquariums

Aquarium of the Bay

Name: Aquarium of the Bay
Address: PIER 39 The Embarcadero &, Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133, San Francisco, CA, US
Telephone: (415) 623-5300
Rating: 4.1

★★★★☆ 4.1 (6226 reviews)

📍 PIER 39 The Embarcadero &, Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133

📞 (415) 623-5300

🌐 www.aquariumofthebay.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	10 AM–5 PM
Tuesday	10 AM–5 PM
Wednesday	10 AM–5 PM
Thursday	10 AM–5 PM
Friday	10 AM–5 PM
Saturday	10 AM–5 PM
Sunday	10 AM–5 PM

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About Aquarium of the Bay

Waterfront museum with aquatic animals. Aquarium with creatures from local waters, including otters, sharks & jellyfish, plus a touch tank. The underwater tunnels span 300 feet with over 750,000 gallons of water and contain 200+ species, making the tunnel walk-through the most frequently mentioned highlight across visitor reviews. Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars by 6,226 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Aquarium
Location: PIER 39, San Francisco
Best For: All ages
Highlights: 300-foot underwater tunnels, 20,000+ local marine animals, shark tunnel, touch tanks, river otters
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The underwater tunnels span 300 feet with over 750,000 gallons of water and contain 200+ species, making the tunnel walk-through the most frequently mentioned highlight across visitor reviews
🏛️The aquarium will celebrate its 30th Anniversary on April 18, 2026, with special programs and family activities
⭐The Draper Startup Shark Tunnel features seven different shark and ray species including sevengill sharks, leopard sharks, soupfin sharks, and sturgeons in a single exhibit
⭐Approximately 600,000 guests visit the aquarium annually, making it a major waterfront attraction in San Francisco
⭐The aquarium offers a free hands-on Gills Club STEM program focused on sharks (May 31, 2026), combining education with conservation ambassador work

💬 What Visitors Say

🕐Visit on weekday mornings when the aquarium opens to experience the tunnels and exhibits with minimal crowds. Reviewers specifically noted having the entire place to themselves on a weekday opening, making it possible to enjoy the popular shark and fish tunnels without congestion.
💬Plan for 1-1.5 hours for your visit. Multiple reviewers noted this is a compact aquarium that can be fully experienced in about an hour, so set realistic expectations and don't overestimate the time needed.
💬Take advantage of the New Year promotion ($25 for up to 6 guests, valid 1/1/2025-3/31/2025) or CityPASS (up to 46% off at SF top 4 attractions) for significant savings, especially since full-price tickets are $30. SNAP/EBT cardholders can get discounted admission at $3.
💡Don't miss the interactive Touch the Bay exhibit where you can pet juvenile bat rays, skates, sharks, and tidepool inhabitants—this hands-on experience is consistently highlighted as a family favorite and educational highlight.
💡Arrive with camera ready for the underwater tunnel sections (shark tunnel and 300-foot tunnels under the bay), as these are the standout exhibits. The aquarium offers professional photo options at the end, so consider taking multiple photos at the beginning for better selection.