Aquarium of the Bay, San Francisco: Tickets and Info

Pier 39, The Embarcadero & Beach Street,
San Francisco, CA 94133

The Aquarium of the Bay is located at Pier 39, The Embarcadero & Beach Street, San Francisco, CA 94133.

From the South Bay, take US-101 North toward San Francisco, follow signs for Downtown San Francisco / I-80, take the Fourth Street exit, continue straight onto Bryant Street, turn left onto The Embarcadero, and continue north for about 1.5 miles to the aquarium on your right.

From the North Bay, take US-101 South across the Golden Gate Bridge, continue onto Lombard Street, turn left onto Van Ness Avenue, then right onto Bay Street, left onto The Embarcadero, and follow signs to the aquarium on your right.

From the East Bay, take I-80 West across the Bay Bridge, take the Fremont Street exit, turn left onto Howard Street, then right onto The Embarcadero, and drive north for about 1.7 miles to the aquarium on your right.

Parking is available at the PIER 39 Garage and Pier 35, both within walking distance. Rates are approximately $10-12 per hour, and the PIER 39 Garage has a pedestrian bridge directly to the aquarium.

From BART or Muni Metro, take BART or Muni Metro to Embarcadero Station. Exit toward Drumm Street or Spear Street. Walk to Market Street & Main Street and transfer to the Muni F-Market & Wharves streetcar. Ride to The Embarcadero & Stockton Street. The aquarium is a short walk from the stop.

From Caltrain (4th & King Station), exit at 4th & King Station, take the Muni T-Third Street light rail from 4th St & King St to Chinatown – Rose Pak Station, transfer to the Muni F-Market & Wharves streetcar at The Embarcadero & Stockton Street, and ride to The Embarcadero & Stockton Street. The aquarium is a short walk from the stop.

By Bus, take Muni Bus Line 8 from Kearny St & Sutter St to Bay St & Midway St. Walk to the aquarium, which is approximately a 5-minute walk away.

If you’re staying in or near Union Square, the aquarium is about a 1.5-mile walk (approximately 30 minutes). Head north on Powell Street, turn left onto Beach Street, and continue to Pier 39. The aquarium is located at the end of the pier.

For a quintessential San Francisco experience, take the Powell-Mason Cable Car Line from Powell & Market to Mason & Beach. The aquarium is a short walk from the cable car stop.

If you’re arriving by ferry, disembark at Pier 41. The aquarium is a short walk from the pier, located at Pier 39.

Public transit is a convenient and eco-friendly option. MuniMobile and Clipper Cards offer discounted fares. Walking from Union Square provides scenic views of the city. Cable cars offer a nostalgic and fun way to reach the aquarium. Ferries provide a scenic approach to the waterfront.

Aquarium of the Bay provides a range of facilities to enhance visitor comfort and convenience throughout their experience. Amenities include accessible restrooms and seating areas designed for relaxation and observation within exhibit spaces. Although the aquarium’s exterior elevator is temporarily out of service, visitors can use Pier 39’s internal elevator to access the venue; from there, proceed through the aquarium’s gift shop to reach the main entrance.

For dining, guests can visit the on-site café offering a selection of refreshments and light meals suitable for families and groups. The aquarium also features event spaces available for private functions such as birthday parties and corporate gatherings, integrating seamlessly with educational and entertainment offerings. Additionally, interactive exhibits like touch pools allow close encounters with local marine species, making visits both informative and engaging.

Visitors looking to take home a memento can explore the Aquarium of the Bay gift shop, located near the main entrance. The store stocks an array of souvenirs related to marine life and conservation, including educational toys, apparel, books, and locally crafted items. This shop enriches the visitor experience by providing meaningful keepsakes that celebrate the unique species of San Francisco Bay showcased within the aquarium.

Aquarium of the Bay hosts a variety of special events throughout the year aimed at family engagement and marine education. Annual and seasonal events include “Otter Snow Days,” featuring snow-themed activities in the river otter enclosure during winter months, and unique celebrations such as Cocoa & Crafts with Santa Ollie during holiday seasons.

The venue also organizes conservation-themed lecture series and interactive educational programs suitable for diverse audiences, including K-12 students and adults. Guests are encouraged to check available dates for ticketed events or public programming that offer immersive, behind-the-scenes access or guided tours highlighting aquarium habitats and research efforts.