Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco: A Surprisingly Great Pier 39 Aquarium
Is Aquarium of the Bay worth visiting? See what to expect from the Pier 39 aquarium, including sharks, underwater tunnels, touch pools, jellyfish, and tips for visiting with kids.
Estimated reading time: 22 minutes
I’ll admit it: I did not have especially high expectations for Aquarium of the Bay.
The aquarium is located right at PIER 39 in the middle of one of San Francisco’s busiest tourist areas. Before our visit, I pictured something small and a little gimmicky—an attraction you pop into because you’re already walking around Fisherman’s Wharf.
Instead, Aquarium of the Bay ended up being one of the nicest surprises of our San Francisco trip.
It is definitely smaller than major destination aquariums like the National Aquarium or Monterey Bay Aquarium. But this is one of those attractions that punches well above its weight. There are sharks and rays swimming through long underwater tunnels, colorful jellyfish, an octopus, touch pools, tidepool animals, and plenty of smaller exhibits packed into a relatively compact space.
And when you’re visiting San Francisco with younger kids, that size can actually be a benefit.
We visited when my daughter was six, and Aquarium of the Bay was one of three attractions we chose to visit with our San Francisco CityPASS, along with the California Academy of Sciences and Exploratorium. Looking back, I’m really happy with those choices. All three were very different, incredibly kid-friendly, and gave us three excellent indoor attractions without feeling repetitive.
What Is Aquarium of the Bay?
Aquarium of the Bay is a waterfront aquarium located at the entrance to PIER 39 along San Francisco’s Embarcadero.
Unlike aquariums that showcase marine life from around the world, much of the focus here is on the animals and ecosystems of San Francisco Bay and Northern California. The aquarium currently houses thousands of marine and terrestrial animals and includes hands-on exhibits, jellyfish displays, touch pools, and its signature underwater tunnels.
That local focus is one of the things that makes Aquarium of the Bay interesting. You aren’t simply looking at tanks full of colorful fish. Many of the exhibits help visitors understand what actually lives beneath the water you’ve been looking at while sightseeing around San Francisco.
And then you get to walk underneath it.
The Underwater Tunnels Are the Best Part
For me, the standout attraction at Aquarium of the Bay was easily the underwater tunnels.
I love aquariums that do this.
Instead of standing in front of a traditional tank, you walk through a clear acrylic tunnel with the water completely surrounding you. Fish swim beside you. Rays glide over your head. Sharks pass directly above you.
It makes the whole experience feel much more immersive.
Aquarium of the Bay actually has two underwater tunnels, which surprised me. Together, they stretch for about 300 feet and contain more than 750,000 gallons of San Francisco Bay water.
One tunnel focuses on the shallower waters of the Bay, while the second takes you into deeper water and is especially good for seeing sharks and rays.
Near Shore Tunnel
The Near Shore Tunnel showcases animals that live in the shallower parts of San Francisco Bay.
This is the greener, kelp-filled tunnel you can see in some of my photos, with schools of fish moving above and around the walkway. Current exhibits include rockfish, garibaldi, anchovies, rays, sharks, and even an Eastern Pacific red octopus.
This section felt very different from the darker shark tunnel. The water was brighter, the kelp created more of a natural coastal environment, and there was constantly something moving around us.
When you’re visiting with kids, this is the kind of exhibit that naturally slows everybody down. My daughter could walk a few feet, stop to watch something, move farther down the tunnel, and discover something else swimming overhead.
Shark Tunnel
And then you reach the sharks.
The second tunnel takes visitors into the deeper waters of San Francisco Bay. Today, the aquarium calls this the Draper Startup Shark Tunnel, and it is home to sharks, rays, sturgeon, and other local species. Among the sharks you may see are sevengill sharks, leopard sharks, and soupfin sharks.
This is exactly the kind of aquarium exhibit I love.
There is something completely different about watching a shark swim toward you and then pass directly over your head rather than watching it from the other side of a tank.
The rays were just as impressive. Some of them seemed enormous when they passed overhead, and from underneath you could really see the shape of their bodies as they moved through the water.
If you only have a limited amount of time at Aquarium of the Bay, I would absolutely prioritize the underwater tunnels.
Don’t Miss the Jellyfish
The jellyfish displays were another favorite.
Aquarium lighting already makes jellyfish almost hypnotic, and these exhibits were especially photogenic. We saw large golden-colored sea nettles with long trailing tentacles along with tanks filled with smaller jellyfish illuminated in brilliant pink and purple light.
The aquarium’s current Go With the Flow exhibit includes moon jellies and Pacific sea nettles and serves as the transition into the Under the Bay tunnel exhibits.
I probably could have stood there watching them for much longer than my six-year-old had patience for.
Jellyfish are one of those animals that somehow manage to look both incredibly peaceful and slightly otherworldly at the same time.
There Is More Here Than Sharks and Fish
One of the things I had forgotten until I went back through our photos was how much variety there actually was.
We saw an octopus, crabs, schools of tiny silver fish, colorful tropical-looking fish, turtles, frogs, sea stars, anemones, and plenty of other animals along the way.
And yes, I apparently also photographed two frogs having a rather intimate moment.
There are some vacation photos that simply have to be preserved for posterity.
The broader animal collection was another reason Aquarium of the Bay felt more substantial than I expected. It wasn’t just one big shark tunnel followed by the gift shop. There were enough smaller habitats and close-up animal encounters to keep us interested as we moved through the aquarium.
Touch the Bay: One of the Best Areas for Kids
If you’re visiting Aquarium of the Bay with children, definitely leave time for the touch pools.
My daughter loved this area.
Touch the Bay currently includes hands-on opportunities with animals such as rays, skates, sharks, sea stars, sea cucumbers, and other tidepool creatures.
During our visit, she was able to reach directly into the water and gently touch a sea star.
That kind of experience makes a huge difference for younger kids. After spending so much time looking through glass, suddenly being able to put a hand in the water and actually interact with one of the animals makes the aquarium feel much more personal.
The touch pools were one of the areas that made me especially glad we had decided to give Aquarium of the Bay a chance.
Because by this point in our visit, my initial concern that we had walked into a tourist-trap aquarium was long gone.
This place was genuinely fun.
How Long Should You Spend at Aquarium of the Bay?
Aquarium of the Bay is not an all-day attraction, and I actually think that is part of its appeal.
For most families, I would plan on spending about 1½ to 2 hours here. You could move through faster if you were only interested in the major exhibits, but if your kids want to linger at the touch pools, watch the sharks and rays in the tunnels, or stare at jellyfish for a while, I would give yourself closer to two hours.
That makes Aquarium of the Bay especially easy to pair with the rest of PIER 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf.
You can visit the aquarium, walk around the pier, see the sea lions, grab lunch, and still have plenty of time left in your day.
Is Aquarium of the Bay Good for Younger Kids?
Yes. In fact, I think younger elementary-age kids are probably one of the aquarium’s strongest audiences.
My daughter was six when we visited, and the combination of underwater tunnels, touch pools, sharks, rays, jellyfish, and colorful fish worked really well for her.
The aquarium is also manageable in a way that some enormous museums are not.
You are not committing to five or six hours. You are not trying to drag a tired child through endless galleries because you paid a fortune for admission. You can see the main exhibits, let your kids spend extra time where they are interested, and then move on with your day.
For families already spending time around PIER 39, that makes Aquarium of the Bay very easy to fit into a San Francisco itinerary.
Aquarium of the Bay vs. California Academy of Sciences
If you only have time for one aquarium experience in San Francisco, this is probably the comparison you are going to make.
And they are very different.
The California Academy of Sciences is much larger and is really a full science museum rather than simply an aquarium. In addition to Steinhart Aquarium, you also get the rainforest, planetarium, natural history exhibits, living roof, and other science experiences.
Aquarium of the Bay is more focused and much smaller.
If I had to choose only one with kids, I would choose the California Academy of Sciences because there is simply more to do.
But I would not consider Aquarium of the Bay redundant.
The underwater tunnels give it a completely different feel, and the location makes it much easier to work into a day around the waterfront. We visited both during the same San Francisco trip and were glad we did.
Aquarium of the Bay vs. Exploratorium
These two are even less alike.
The Exploratorium is all about hands-on science, experimentation, perception, light, sound, motion, and figuring out how things work.
Aquarium of the Bay is about marine life.
We loved both, but for completely different reasons.
If you are deciding between them, think about what your kids are most excited about. If they love animals, sharks, touch pools, and aquariums, Aquarium of the Bay is the obvious choice. If they want to touch buttons, manipulate exhibits, experiment, and explore, choose the Exploratorium.
Honestly, if you have enough time, I would do both.
Is Aquarium of the Bay Worth Visiting if You Have Been to Bigger Aquariums?
I think so, as long as you go in with the right expectations.
This is not the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It is not the National Aquarium in Baltimore. It is not trying to be an enormous destination aquarium that takes up most of your day.
It is a compact waterfront aquarium.
But compact does not mean boring.
The tunnels are genuinely impressive. There is a good variety of marine life. The touch pools add an interactive component for kids. And the aquarium is easy to visit without rearranging your entire San Francisco itinerary around it.
That is why I keep coming back to the same description: Aquarium of the Bay punches above its weight.
I expected something touristy.
I got a real aquarium experience.
Is Aquarium of the Bay a Tourist Trap?
For me, no.
PIER 39 is absolutely touristy. There is no pretending otherwise.
There are souvenir shops, restaurants, entertainment, crowds, and plenty of attractions competing for your attention.
That was exactly why I was skeptical of Aquarium of the Bay in the first place.
But the aquarium itself never felt like a cheap attraction created just to capture tourist dollars.
The underwater tunnels are substantial. The animal collection is varied. The touch pools are worthwhile. And the focus on San Francisco Bay gives the aquarium a strong connection to the place you are visiting.
So yes, you are visiting an aquarium in the middle of one of San Francisco’s biggest tourist districts.
But that does not make the aquarium itself a tourist trap.
Using San Francisco CityPASS for Aquarium of the Bay
We visited Aquarium of the Bay using San Francisco CityPASS, and that made the decision especially easy for us.
On our trip, we used our pass for three attractions: the California Academy of Sciences, the Exploratorium, and Aquarium of the Bay.
I am still very happy with those choices.
They gave us three completely different experiences: a huge natural history and science museum, an interactive science museum, and a waterfront aquarium.
Current San Francisco CityPASS options still include Aquarium of the Bay among the attractions travelers can choose from, along with options such as the Exploratorium, San Francisco Zoo, Walt Disney Family Museum, SFMOMA, and others.
If you are already planning to visit several of those attractions, it is worth comparing the current CityPASS price with individual admission before your trip.
And yes, looking at the current options now, the Walt Disney Family Museum is one I really wish we had been able to squeeze in.
We simply did not have enough time.
What About Alcatraz and the San Francisco Zoo?
We skipped both on this particular trip.
I had been to Alcatraz before, but my daughter was six at the time and we had other priorities for this visit.
We also did not make it to the San Francisco Zoo.
You could easily spend a week in San Francisco and still not get to everything.
For our family, focusing on the California Academy of Sciences, Exploratorium, and Aquarium of the Bay gave us more than enough major kid-friendly attractions without trying to cram every possible sight into the trip.
Best Things to See at Aquarium of the Bay
If you are short on time, I would prioritize:
- The underwater tunnels
- Sharks and rays
- Jellyfish
- The octopus
- Touch pools
- Tidepool animals
- Smaller marine-life exhibits
The tunnels would be my absolute must-do.
Give yourself time to stop and look up instead of simply walking straight through them.
That is where some of the best moments happen.
Tips for Visiting Aquarium of the Bay With Kids
Aquarium of the Bay is pretty straightforward to visit, but a few things can make it even easier.
Try not to rush through the tunnels. Kids will often notice animals swimming overhead that adults completely miss.
Leave extra time for the touch pools, especially if your child likes hands-on experiences.
Because the aquarium is located directly at PIER 39, I would combine it with other waterfront activities rather than treating it as a standalone destination.
And if your schedule is packed, this is a very good attraction for the middle of a busy sightseeing day. It gives everyone a chance to slow down, get indoors, and enjoy something without committing another four or five hours.
What to Do Near Aquarium of the Bay
The aquarium’s location is one of its biggest advantages.
You are right at PIER 39, which means you can easily combine your visit with the sea lions, waterfront views, restaurants, shops, and the rest of Fisherman’s Wharf.
This also makes Aquarium of the Bay a good addition to a day when you are already sightseeing along the Embarcadero.
You do not need to build your entire day around the aquarium.
You can simply make it one really enjoyable piece of a larger San Francisco waterfront day.
Is Aquarium of the Bay Worth It?
For us, yes.
Aquarium of the Bay was one of those attractions that completely changed my mind once we walked inside.
I expected small.
It was small.
But I also expected forgettable, and it definitely was not.
The underwater tunnels were fantastic. The sharks and rays swimming overhead were the highlight for me. My daughter loved the touch pools. The jellyfish were beautiful. And there was enough variety throughout the aquarium that it never felt like we were simply walking past tank after tank of the same thing.
Would I travel across the country specifically to visit Aquarium of the Bay?
No.
But if you are already visiting San Francisco, especially if you are spending time at PIER 39 or using CityPASS, I think it is absolutely worth considering.
Sometimes the attractions you expect the least from end up being some of the nicest surprises.
Aquarium of the Bay was one of those for us.
Planning Your Visit to Aquarium of the Bay
Aquarium of the Bay is located right at the entrance to PIER 39, which makes it extremely easy to work into a day along the San Francisco waterfront.
The aquarium is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4:30 p.m. Holiday hours and occasional early closures can vary, so I would still check the official website before your visit.
The aquarium says the average visit takes about 90 minutes, which lines up well with my recommendation of allowing roughly 1½ to 2 hours, especially if your kids want to linger at the touch pools or you want to catch one of the scheduled presentations.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
If you have flexibility, I would go earlier in the day.
CityPASS currently recommends mornings as the least crowded time to visit, and that makes sense for an attraction located directly at PIER 39. The whole waterfront tends to get busier as the day goes on.
An earlier visit also gives you plenty of time afterward to explore the rest of PIER 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Aquarium of the Bay Tickets and CityPASS
You can buy regular Aquarium of the Bay admission directly from the aquarium, but it is also currently included with several San Francisco CityPASS options.
The standard 2026 San Francisco CityPASS lets you choose four attractions, with Aquarium of the Bay among the available choices. The current list also includes California Academy of Sciences, Exploratorium, the San Francisco Zoo, SFMOMA, Walt Disney Family Museum, de Young Museum + Legion of Honor, and the Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise.
Aquarium admission through CityPASS includes the galleries, daily programs, and interactive touch pools.
For us, CityPASS worked really well.
We chose Aquarium of the Bay, California Academy of Sciences, and Exploratorium during our trip, and I would make those choices again for a family traveling with a younger child.
If you are already planning to visit several paid San Francisco attractions, it is definitely worth doing the math before purchasing individual tickets.
Getting to Aquarium of the Bay
Aquarium of the Bay is located at:
PIER 39
The Embarcadero & Beach Street
San Francisco, California
Because it sits directly on the waterfront, it works especially well if you are sightseeing without a car.
There is no dedicated aquarium parking lot. If you do drive, PIER 39 has nearby parking, although the aquarium itself does not validate parking.
Personally, I would avoid moving a car around San Francisco any more than necessary and group Aquarium of the Bay with other waterfront attractions.
Accessibility and Strollers
Aquarium of the Bay says the aquarium is mostly wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis with photo identification held during use.
One thing families should know is that the aquarium does not offer stroller or luggage storage.
If you are visiting with a stroller, I would plan to keep it with you rather than assuming you can check it somewhere at the entrance.
Pair Aquarium of the Bay With PIER 39
I would not plan Aquarium of the Bay as an isolated outing.
Its location is too convenient.
Once you finish at the aquarium, you are already at PIER 39. Go see the sea lions. Walk around the pier. Grab lunch. Enjoy the waterfront views.
You could easily make the aquarium one piece of a half-day around Fisherman’s Wharf rather than using an entire sightseeing day on it.
That is actually one of its biggest advantages over the much larger California Academy of Sciences.
Aquarium of the Bay fits into your plans rather than taking them over.
Final Thoughts on Aquarium of the Bay
Of the attractions we visited in San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay was probably the one that surprised me most.
I already expected to love California Academy of Sciences.
I already expected the Exploratorium to be fantastic.
Aquarium of the Bay was the wildcard.
And it turned out to be really good.
It doesn’t need to compete with the biggest aquariums in the country. What it does instead is pack a lot into a relatively small space: sharks, rays, underwater tunnels, jellyfish, touch pools, an octopus, colorful fish, and plenty of opportunities for kids to stop and look closely at marine life.
If you are visiting PIER 39 with kids, especially if Aquarium of the Bay is included with the attraction pass you are already using, I would not dismiss it.
We almost did.
I’m glad we didn’t.
More San Francisco and Bay Area Travel
Planning more time around San Francisco? These guides can help:
- Exploratorium – One of San Francisco’s best hands-on science museums.
- California Academy of Sciences – Aquarium, rainforest, planetarium, and natural history all in one.
- Bay Area Discovery Museum – A fantastic museum for younger kids just across the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Golden Gate Bridge With Kids – Tips for visiting San Francisco’s most famous landmark as a family.
- Muir Woods National Monument – Everything you need to know about visiting the redwoods near San Francisco.
- Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip – An easy one-day itinerary combining the redwoods with Sausalito.
- 3 Days in Yosemite National Park – A great addition if San Francisco is part of a larger California road trip.
More Aquariums to Explore
If your family loves aquariums, check out these other marine-life experiences:
- National Aquarium in Baltimore – A much larger destination aquarium with sharks, tropical habitats, and some spectacular exhibits.
- The Seas Pavilion at EPCOT – Yes, Disney World has a massive aquarium too, with marine life incorporated right into the EPCOT experience.
