On this page
Aquarium of the Bay is a small, focused aquarium at the entrance to Pier 39. Instead of tropical reefs, it shows the animals of San Francisco Bay and its watershed. The signature feature is a pair of walk-through acrylic tunnels, about 300 feet of them, that pass through the bay exhibits so the animals swim over and around you. A river otter exhibit and a hands-on touch area round it out.
It takes about 90 minutes, which makes it an easy add-on to a day on the waterfront. From Palo Alto it is a Caltrain and Muni ride or about 35 miles by car. This guide covers the aquarium's history, its late 2026 hours and prices, getting there, age fit, accessibility, food and nearby stops.
History
The aquarium opened on April 19, 1996 as UnderWater World, a $38 million project built by a private partnership. In June 2009 The Bay Institute, a nonprofit, bought it for $9.5 million and refocused it on education and conservation of the bay. It is now run by the nonprofit Bay Ecotarium, which states its mission as protecting, restoring and inspiring conservation of San Francisco Bay and its watershed.
The river otter exhibit opened on June 28, 2013. In winter, staff sometimes add snow to the otter enclosure for what the aquarium calls Otter Snow Days. Wikipedia puts the collection at about 24,000 animals of more than 200 species.
The last few years have been hard. In May 2024 the Association of Zoos and Aquariums rescinded the aquarium's accreditation, citing financial stability, staffing and employee turnover. Its chief executive resigned that year amid reports about spending. We did not find a reinstatement. The aquarium stays open daily and runs events through late 2026.
What is inside
The aquarium's plan a visit page lists these areas:
- Discover the Bay. An introduction to bay habitats.
- Under the Bay. The underwater galleries.
- Go with the Flow. A themed gallery listed on the plan a visit page.
- Touch the Bay (Bay Lab). The hands-on area.
- River Otters. The otter habitat that opened in 2013.
Daily presentations add 10 to 20 minutes. Check the daily programs page for feeding and talk times.
Hours and tickets for late 2026
The aquarium is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are good for the whole day once redeemed but are single use. The tickets page listed:
| Ticket | Listed price | Online with 6% fee |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, 13 to 64 | $28.25 | $30.48 |
| Child, 4 to 12 | $20.25 | $22.00 |
| Senior, 65+ | $24.25 | $26.24 |
The page notes peak pricing on some days. It does not state an admission rule for children under 4, so ask before you buy. A Family Combo for three or more tickets claims savings of more than 20%. EBT cardholders and Museums for All visitors pay $5 for up to four tickets with a physical government ID. A VIP Tour runs before opening from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. daily, with a three-ticket minimum.
Bay Area transit riders get $2 off adult admission or $1 off child and senior admission with a valid pass or transfer. The aquarium is also part of the San Francisco CityPASS, which needs no reservation. On November 8, 2026 the aquarium scheduled an Access Hour, a quieter visit with smaller crowds and extra seating for visitors who prefer calm.
Getting there from Palo Alto
By Caltrain and Muni
Ride Caltrain to 4th and King, about 40 minutes on an express. Take the N Judah to Embarcadero station, then catch the F line streetcar in front of the Ferry Building, heading toward Fisherman's Wharf. Get off at The Embarcadero and Beach Street. Allow about an hour and a half door to door. Keep your Muni transfer for the ticket discount.
By car
Take Highway 101 north into San Francisco and follow the Embarcadero north to Pier 39. Allow 45 minutes to an hour without traffic. The aquarium has no lot. The Pier 39 garage is open 24 hours and the aquarium does not validate, though many Pier 39 restaurants do. Public parking is also available at Pier 35 and the aquarium suggests booking a space ahead through an app. Remove valuables from the car.
Who it suits
The aquarium is a good size for toddlers and early grade schoolers, who get tired in big museums. The tunnels and otters hold attention without much reading. Older kids and teens may find it short, so pair it with something bigger. If you are weighing it against the Monterey Bay Aquarium, our family day trips guide covers that longer drive.
Accessibility
The aquarium describes itself as mostly accessible. Wheelchairs are lent first come, first served while you hold a photo ID. The aquarium's exterior elevator was listed as out of service in late 2026: use the Pier 39 elevator to level 2 and walk through the Pier 39 aquarium gift shop to the main entrance. A detour map is on the home page. The aquarium does not store strollers or bags and suggests asking at the San Francisco Welcome Center on the second floor of Pier 39's west side. Minors under 16 must be with an adult.
Food
No outside food or drink is allowed inside except closed water bottles. Pier 39 is lined with restaurants, snack stands and sweets shops, so eat before or after. For a calmer lunch, the Ferry Building is about a mile and a half south along the Embarcadero.
Tips and pairings
- Go at opening. Pier 39 crowds build from late morning, especially on weekends.
- Use the transit discount. It saves $2 per adult.
- Plan a second stop. At about 90 minutes, the aquarium works best as half a day.
- Dress for wind. The piers are chilly even when Palo Alto is warm.
A simple car-free plan: catch a morning express Caltrain, reach the aquarium near its 10 a.m. opening, then eat lunch on the pier. Spend the afternoon at the Exploratorium (closed Mondays) on the walk back toward the Ferry Building and ride Muni to 4th and King for an early evening train home. Check the last southbound Caltrain times before you set out, especially on weekends.
The sea lions that haul out on Pier 39's docks are free to watch, as our San Francisco day trip notes. The Exploratorium at Pier 15 is about a mile south and suits older kids. Ferries to Alcatraz leave from Pier 33 in between, though the island closed on October 26, 2026 for dock repairs and was expected back by mid-November. For a bigger aquarium and natural history day, the California Academy of Sciences has the Steinhart Aquarium. Cable cars, $9 a ride and free for kids 4 and under, run from near the wharf back toward Union Square. You can browse bay cruises and tours that leave from the nearby piers.
Good to know
- Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last entry 4:30 p.m.
- $28.25 adults, $20.25 children 4 to 12, before the 6% online fee.
- No outside food. No stroller storage.
- About 90 minutes for a full visit.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Aquarium of the Bay tickets?
The tickets page lists $28.25 for adults 13 to 64, $20.25 for children 4 to 12 and $24.25 for seniors 65 and up. Online prices add a 6% web fee and some days carry peak pricing. EBT cardholders and Museums for All visitors pay $5 for up to four tickets.
How long does it take to see Aquarium of the Bay?
The aquarium says about 90 minutes at an average pace to see every exhibit. Scheduled presentations can add 10 to 20 minutes. That leaves time for the rest of Pier 39 or the Embarcadero the same day.
Can you bring food into Aquarium of the Bay?
No. Outside food and drink are not allowed except closed water bottles. Pier 39 has plenty of places to eat before or after.
Where do you park for Aquarium of the Bay?
The aquarium has no lot of its own. The Pier 39 garage is open around the clock and the aquarium does not validate, though many Pier 39 restaurants do. Public parking is also at Pier 35.
Is Aquarium of the Bay accredited?
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums rescinded its accreditation in May 2024, citing financial stability, staffing and turnover. We did not find a reinstatement. The aquarium remains open daily as a nonprofit.