Just steps from the famous sea lions of PIER 39, Aquarium of the Bay brings you nose to nose with the animals living beneath the surface of San Francisco Bay. Walk through 300 feet of clear acrylic tunnels while sharks and bat rays glide overhead, meet sea stars, anemones, and juvenile swell sharks in the touch pools, and watch North American river otters tumble through their Watershed Creek habitat.
Most guests spend 90 minutes to two hours exploring the aquarium's three exhibit levels, which makes it an easy addition to a day on the waterfront. This guide covers the exhibits, the conservation mission behind them, and the practical details that help a visit to Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco go smoothly.
Planning Your Visit to Aquarium of the Bay
Aquarium of the Bay sits at the entrance to PIER 39 along the Embarcadero, and its compact, three-level layout is one of its greatest strengths. While a couple of hours will usually let you see everything without rushing, you might opt to stay a little longer for a feeding or a naturalist talk.
The exhibits flow in a natural loop, beginning at Discover the Bay, descending into the underwater tunnels, and finishing at the hands-on Touch the Bay level, so the route is simple to follow even with young children in tow.
Families will find the aquarium especially welcoming. Tanks sit at kid-friendly heights, naturalists stationed throughout the building are happy to answer questions, and the touch pools give little ones a gentle, supervised way to interact with tide pool animals. Elevators connect every level, and the building is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers alike.
Weekday mornings tend to be the quietest time to arrive, and because everything is indoors, fog or drizzle outside won't change your plans. A gift shop near the exit rounds out the visit.
Exploring the Underwater Tunnels of San Francisco Bay
The signature experience of the aquarium is Under the Bay, where 300 feet of curved acrylic tunnels place you inside habitats you'd otherwise need a wetsuit to see. Water wraps around you on every side as schools of anchovies flash past, bat rays sweep by like slow-motion kites, and broadnose sevengill sharks cruise overhead, close enough for you to count their gill slits.
The tunnels unfold in two acts. The first recreates the nearshore environment, where rockfish weave through swaying strands of kelp and crabs pick their way across the sandy bottom. The second plunges into deeper water, home to leopard sharks, sturgeon, and a giant sea bass whose sheer size tends to stop foot traffic entirely.
A slow-moving walkway carries you through each tunnel, but you can still step aside whenever a passing shark earns a longer look. Because the tanks hold filtered water drawn from the bay itself, the animals gliding above you represent the same wildlife living just beyond the pier pilings. The tunnels are also the dimmest part of the building, so give your eyes a moment to adjust and keep your camera steady for the best photos.
Commitment to Marine Conservation and Education
Aquarium of the Bay is a Smithsonian Affiliate, and its mission reaches well beyond its exhibit walls. Programming throughout the building connects what you see in the tanks to the larger forces shaping the ocean, including climate change, plastic pollution, and habitat loss. Daily presentations explain how warming waters affect local species, while naturalists share practical ways to cut down on single-use plastics at home.
That focus on the health of San Francisco Bay is what separates the aquarium from a general zoo or marine park. Nearly every animal on display is native to the bay or the waters just outside the Golden Gate, so the conservation story you encounter is a local one. The river otters of Watershed Creek, for example, double as ambassadors for a species making a comeback in Bay Area waterways. School groups and families can join guided programs that dive deeper into bay ecology, and the naturalists tailor their talks to every age level. By the time you leave, you'll see the bay as a living system worth protecting rather than a scenic backdrop for photos.
Navigating PIER 39 and the Embarcadero Waterfront Project
Aquarium of the Bay anchors the entrance to PIER 39, which places dozens of shops, restaurants, street performers, and a two-story carousel within a short walk of the aquarium's doors. The pier's resident sea lions hang out at K-Dock on the west side, their barking making them easy to find before or after your visit.
Getting there without a car is straightforward. The F-Line streetcar runs vintage cars along Market Street and the Embarcadero, stopping steps from the pier. It ranks among the most scenic rides in the city.
If you'd rather drive, the PIER 39 Garage sits directly across the street, and several pier restaurants offer parking validation with a purchase, so check current offers before paying full price. Once you've finished at the aquarium, the Embarcadero invites a stroll in either direction: Head west toward Fisherman's Wharf or south toward the Ferry Building's food stalls.
See More for Less With San Francisco CityPASS® Tickets
Aquarium of the Bay is one of the attractions available with San Francisco CityPASS® tickets, alongside options such as the Exploratorium, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, and SFMOMA. Choosing your favorite attractions ahead of time keeps trip planning simple and trims the cost of admission, leaving you more time to debate which shark deserves your attention first. Each ticket lives on your phone, so there's nothing to print and nothing to lose.
When you're ready to build your day on the bay, get your San Francisco CityPASS® tickets and start with the otters.