About Aquarium of the Bay

Waterfront museum with aquatic animals. Aquarium with creatures from local waters, including otters, sharks & jellyfish, plus a touch tank.

💬 What Parents Say

• 💡Start your visit at the walk-through underwater tunnel downstairs — it's consistently mentioned as the best and most memorable part of the aquarium. Visit this exhibit first before crowds build up.
• 🕐Arrive early on weekdays (Monday-Friday) to avoid the heavy kid crowds and to experience the tunnel exhibit with better visibility. Reviews note the aquarium gets congested with school groups and families, making traffic flow inefficient.
• 💡Plan for a 1-2 hour visit — this is a compact aquarium, not a full-day destination. The experience is short but focused on quality Bay Area marine life exhibits rather than size.
• 💡Take advantage of EBT card pricing ($3) if eligible, or use CityPASS for significant savings. The aquarium offers discount pricing options that make it an affordable Pier 39 activity.
• 💡Bring kids to interact with the stingray petting area and plan your visit around the special family events like the upcoming Hot Cocoa & More (December 14) or the free Gills Club STEM shark program (April 26) for added educational value.

Hours