Important Notice:We have made the tough decision to say goodbye to the Foursquare City Guide mobile app, effective December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Visit our FAQ for more information or to download our Swarm app.
Planning a trip to San Francisco?
Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.
Aquarium of the Bay
Aquarium
Fishermans Wharf, San Francisco
"Fiver otters tend to sleep during the day"(8 Tips)
"Sevengill sharks get fed on Thursdays and Sundays"(3 Tips)
"Great underwater view of the ocean"(2 Tips)
"The underwater tunnel isn't actually under the bay"(2 Tips)
95 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- otters
- scenic views
- fish
- sevengill sharks
- discounts
- (15 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
Omar CabreraAugust 28, 2016Another "must" of the city (also included in your city pass). You can touch a little shark, a starfish and see the beautiful fauna of the sea. Go to the gift shop and buy an stuffed otter for your SO
- MarsDecember 9, 2014This place was pretty tight. The jelly fish display was amazing and probably worth the admission alone. I accidentally slapped a little kid in the face here because it was so crowded.
- NymoSeptember 20, 2013Fiver otters tend to sleep during the day, so if you wanna see them in-action: Try seeing them in the morning or later in the evening. Otherwise: Ask when feeding time is! They spring to life by then!Upvoted Sep 22
Eleanor RigbyJuly 10, 2017Don't expect too much, price is elevated and the museum at Golden gate park has one aquarium bigger and more interesting for kind of the same price But it's definitely a place that children would like
april brockJuly 8, 2019This place was amazing. We had fun. The otters were my favorite. They never stop moving the whole time we watched. We also got to pet the baby sting rays.
JonesJanuary 20, 2019Suprisingly good. They go for a few big exhibits instead of lots of smaller ones. For its small size it does a good job.
Fi VeiNovember 15, 2015Very nice place with a good variety of local fauna. A little bit small, but a good show.
T ZJanuary 17, 2016Jellyfish 😍 Super small actuation though (3 floors.) We went through the whole acquiring in less than an hour.
Colleen MeganSeptember 25, 2014Don't forget to take pictures of the marina on the deck at the back of the aquarium.
- Shawna MarieJanuary 13, 2017Pretty expensive for how quickly you move through it. Go early or there's a large crowd. The gift shop is accessible without buying a ticket. The underwater tunnel isn't actually under the bay
Travelivery - Redefining the Way You Travel.January 20, 2014So many great photo opportunities here. Don't forget your camera! http://sf.travelivery.com
Bob LehtoMarch 5, 2012Arrive early (before 11AM) to have a more leisurely stroll through the underwater tunnels, and less competition to pets the rays, sharks and starfish.
Gilt CityFebruary 15, 2011Let's talk numbers: The 65,000 square foot facility features 300 feet of crystal clear acrylic tunnels holding over 700,000 gallons of filtered bay water home to over 20,000 aquatic animals.
Antonello LoddoApril 17, 2018It is a small acquarium, but with a good variety of specimen, including a sevengill shark
Sherry RenDecember 15, 2014Love the jellyfish. Was warned that can't use flashlight for octopus but didn't see it after all.
Rachel MercerJune 17, 2013They recently lowered the price to $8 which I think is reasonable. Good Activity if you're touring the Embarcadero (Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 49, Alcatraz, Ghiradelli Sq), not worth a standalone trip.
Shawn JonesApril 23, 2013It's cool, but short lived. We were in and out within an hour, and I stopped to take pictures and touch the fish in the touch tank.
David McGuireMay 5, 2014See the Sevengill sharks- from the same population in the Bay that Shark Stewards is studying and protecting
Mikuláš ŠkorpilJuly 3, 2018Nice aquarium showing the animals living in the bay. I can't believe I actually touched a shark!
Thammy HanaeNovember 17, 2011The best place to go! Even better then The Alcatraz Island!!! Try this first and after u go to Alcatraz!!
10am cleanup of T1 11:30 or noon Thursdays feed bat rays...wave hi to divers.
Scot DiazFebruary 18, 2013When you head to the 2nd Floor to see the Jellies, ask where's the peanut butter?
Huong NguyenJune 20, 2012If you are going to the California Academy of science so maybe you can skip thí place
Philippe HougardyNovember 10, 2015Nice place for sure, the tunnel is cool but regarding the price not that much to see
I believe you're allowed to re-entry once you purchase a ticket
- Thursdays 10am, divers vacuum and clean tunnel 1. Around 11:30 or
Becky HendersonOctober 15, 2013Not worth the money :( lots of school kids during the day. The idea is cool but the underwater tubes are very little an short. I thought it would be a much bigger aquarium with lots of opportunity.
Jennifer EvansFebruary 16, 2015Small and the people mover was broken in the lower level. The staff could do a better job keeping people moving. Strollers are cumbersome and shouldn't be allowed in.
Christine ChappellAugust 18, 2011When in the tunnels aim your camera overhead for good belly shots of sharks and rays.
Frank DochyAugust 3, 2011You're in and out in about 30min. Go to Academy of sciences, you'll see way more animals. And you wont feel ripped off. And get a citypass!- Frank DochyAugust 3, 2011And those who think you get an underwater view of the ocean: it's a tank people;)
- KRDecember 14, 2012The octopus exhibit was interesting, but for the cost, I would rather take a drive to Monterey.
Ben WattsOctober 13, 2012Felt a bit small for the price. I went an hour before closing and the place was nearly empty (2-4 other people in there), which was definitely a bonus.
1,070 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Experience the magic of San Francisco Bay.
Open until 8:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
- Fri–Sun
- 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
(415) 623-5300
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
See More
You might also like
- 8.7
"Jellies and sea horses and one octopus oh my! Could spend hours here and my kids dig it too."
Jess L - 9.1
"A little pricy but I like the quality of the pet foods & accessories much better than that other place. The staff here is very nice & helpful."
Vincent Pardue - 7.0
"Best Fish store in the BayArea. Lots of variety and cheapest prices around the bay"
Adrian Saechao
Places people like to go after Aquarium of the Bay
- 9.1
"Many souvenir shops, restaurants and my personal highlight the sea lions. The pier visit is a must for San Francisco and belongs to the city as well as the famous red steel colossus."
Caroline - 7.9
"Good service! The 3 cheese burger was delish! Add bacon ftw."
Sean Miller - 8.6
"Crab. Get the crab, and take your time with it. Also: wine, our a pint. Get a window table for the view."
A. Lozada
Appears on 184 lists
Must Do's While in San Francisco
Created by Alicia Reneé
50 items • 46 followers
Created by Brandon Low
82 items • 94 followers
101 places to see in San Francisco before you die
Created by Victor Garrido
101 items • 646 followers
