PLAN YOUR VISIT
Aquarium of the Bay, San Francisco’s premier waterfront aquarium, located at PIER 39 — situated right in the action of Fisherman’s Wharf. Get all the visitor information you need to plan your visit and get your aquarium tickets!
- Masks are encouraged, but not required.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
HOURS
Monday – Sunday
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Special Hours / Closures
LOCATION
Aquarium of the Bay, PIER 39
The Embarcadero & Beach St.
San Francisco, CA 94133
CONTACT
415.623.5300
[email protected]
TICKETS & PACKAGES
Buy Tickets in Advance
Skip the line and plan ahead! Purchasing your tickets online ensures faster entry and helps you make the most of your visit.
Available Discounts
New! Aquarium of the Bay
Joins Museums for All
We’re proud to participate in both SF Museums for All and the national Museums for All program. Eligible visitors can receive up to four $3 tickets per visit—just show a valid EBT, SNAP, or Medi-Cal card at the entrance.
Save Big with CityPASS®
Bundle and save up to 46% on admission to San Francisco’s top 4 attractions—including Aquarium of the Bay!
- One simple mobile ticket
- Visit attractions in any order over 9 days
- No advance reservations needed—just show your CityPASS® at our entrance
Explore More with Go City®
Discover 25+ Bay Area attractions with a single pass!
Enjoy flexible, all-in-one sightseeing with great savings on experiences like Alcatraz tours, cruises, museums, and more.
SPECIAL HOURS & CLOSURES
Standard Hours
Monday – Sunday
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Early / Holiday Closures
November 23: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Last ticket sold at 2:00 PM)
December 24: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Last ticket sold at 2:00 PM)
December 25: Closed (Christmas Day)
IMPORTANT NOTICES
Exterior Elevator Out-of-Service
Please use PIER 39’s elevator. Exit on level 2 and then proceed through the PIER 39 aquarium gift shop to our main entrance.
WHAT TO EXPECT(FAQ)
Get up close and personal with more than 24,000 local marine animals at Aquarium of the Bay.
- Generally walking through at an average pace, seeing all exhibits, it takes about 90 minutes.
- Scheduled presentations can extend 10-20 minutes.
- Tickets are one time use only.
GETTING HERE
Getting to Aquarium of the Bay is easy, whether you’re arriving by car, public transit, or on foot along San Francisco’s scenic waterfront. Aquarium of the Bay is located on the iconic waterfront at PIER 39.
By Public Transit
MUNI and BART both offer easy connections that bring you right to the waterfront.
By MUNI Historic F-Line Streetcar
Ride through the city on a piece of history! The MUNI F-Line runs along Market Street and The Embarcadero, connecting downtown San Francisco with the waterfront.
To reach the Aquarium:
- Board the F-Line inbound toward Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Ride until you reach The Embarcadero & Beach Street—that’s the stop for PIER 39.
When you step off, the Aquarium of the Bay will be directly to your right, just past the pier entrance.
Fun fact: Each F-Line streetcar is a lovingly restored heritage vehicle from cities around the world, making your ride part of the adventure!
By BART + F-Line Streetcar
If you’re coming from the East Bay, SFO, or the Peninsula, riding BART is a fast and easy way to get into San Francisco.
To reach the Aquarium:
- Take BART to Embarcadero Station (from any direction).
- This is the last downtown stop before the trains head underground to the East Bay.
- Exit the station at Market & Main Street (use the Ferry Building / Embarcadero exit).
- Walk one short block toward the water to The Embarcadero.
- In front of the Ferry Building, hop on a MUNI F-Line streetcar, heading inbound toward Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Get off at The Embarcadero & Beach Street—the stop for PIER 39.
When you step off, the Aquarium of the Bay will be directly to your right, just past the pier entrance.
Aquarium of the Bay supports the use of public transportation. Present a current, valid Bay Area public transportation pass or transfer and receive $2 off adult admission, and $1 off child/senior admission (cannot be combined with any other offer).
Visit www.511.org to get directions for using public transit to visit Aquarium of the Bay.
By Car
Head toward San Francisco’s PIER 39 where parking is available just steps from the entrance.
From the South Bay (via US-101 North)
- Take US-101 North toward San Francisco.
- Stay on Highway 101 North and follow signs for Downtown San Francisco / I-80.
- Take the Fourth Street exit, continue straight onto Bryant Street.
- Turn left on The Embarcadero.
- Continue north about 1.5 miles to Aquarium of the Bay (on your right)
From the North Bay (via US-101 South)
- Take US-101 South across the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Continue onto Lombard Street.
- Turn left on Van Ness Avenue, then right on Bay Street.
- Turn left on The Embarcadero.
- Follow signs to Aquarium of the Bay (on your right).
From the East Bay (via I-80 West / Bay Bridge)
- Take I-80 West across the Bay Bridge.
- Take the Fremont Street exit (first exit after the bridge).
- Turn left onto Howard Street, then right on The Embarcadero.
- Drive north along The Embarcadero for about 1.7 miles to Aquarium of the Bay (on your right).
PARKING
Public parking facilities are available at Pier 35 or across from the main entrance at the PIER 39 garage.
PIER 39 Parking Garage
The garage is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please note that Aquarium of the Bay does not validate parking, but many PIER 39 restaurants do.
Nearby Amenities
Your visit to Aquarium of the Bay is just the beginning! PIER 39 offers a full day of fun with waterfront dining, local shops, family-friendly attractions, and iconic bay views—all just steps away from the aquarium. Whether you’re grabbing a bite, picking up a souvenir, or enjoying the sea lion show, there’s something for everyone right outside our doors.
And with Fisherman’s Wharf just a short walk away, you’re perfectly positioned to explore even more of San Francisco’s vibrant waterfront.
SAN FRANCISCO
TRAVEL GUIDE
Planning a full day—or a full weekend? Discover top attractions, dining, and hidden gems around the city.
We’re proud to be featured in the KAYAK San Francisco Travel Guide—your one-stop resource for exploring everything this iconic city has to offer.
