Aquarium of the Bay, San Francisco: Tickets and Info

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 to the PIER 39 garage.

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 PIER 39 garage.

From the East Bay, take I-80 West across the Bay Bridge, take the Harrison Street exit, and follow signs to The Embarcadero, then Beach Street, to the PIER 39 garage.

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 is directly across from the Pier 39 entrance plaza, a short walk from 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 the Muni 8-Bayshore, 39-Coit, 47-Van Ness, or 49-Van Ness/Mission bus lines, all of which serve stops within a short walk of Pier 39.

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.

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 River Otter Snow Days, featuring snow-themed activities in the river otter habitat during winter, with appearances from the aquarium’s otter mascot, Ollie.

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.