Aquariums in the SF Bay Area: 6 Fun Places to See Marine Life Around San Francisco

Looking to explore the underwater world at the world-class aquariums in the SF Bay Area? You’ll find several outstanding aquariums here, each offering a unique way to discover marine life up close.

The most popular ones include the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, as well as San Francisco's very own Aquarium of the Bay and the Steinhart Aquarium inside the California Academy of Sciences. 

Together, they showcase thousands of fascinating plants and animals from local waters and beyond.

Keep reading for details on these three major attractions, plus a few smaller gems your whole family will enjoy.

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1. Monterey Bay Aquarium

Distance from San Francisco: About 2 hours south on the Pacific Coast

One of my favorite aquariums in the SF Bay Area is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Not only is it one of the best in the area, it's also ranked as one of the best in the whole world.

Why It's a Must-See: The minute you step inside, you will see why it is so highly ranked and respected. You have to see the 1.2-million-gallon Open Sea exhibit to believe it. Through a massive glass viewing wall, you can watch sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles swim amidst huge, glittering schools of sardines.

Other Highlights:

• Kelp Forest (335,000 gallons) - one of the tallest aquariums in the world at 28 feet, showing the depth of the kelp forest from the seabed to the sun beams at the surface
• Monterey Bay Habitats (326,000 gallons) - showing off five different habitats that thrive in the waters of the Monterey Bay
• Sea Otters (55,000 gallons) - watch the furry creatures' underwater acrobatics from the first floor tank window, or see them tumble and play on the surface from the second floor 
• Kids' activities including penguin feedings, a 40-foot-long touch pool, many interactive exhibits, and a soft play area for the littlest ones

Visiting Information: The Monterey Bay Aquarium is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, and you could easily spend all day here!

NOTE: You must buy tickets online in advance, as they are no longer sold in person at the entrance. Tickets are $65 for adults, $50 for youth (5-17), and $50 for seniors 70+.

2. Aquarium of the Bay

Location in San Francisco: Pier 39 in Fisherman's Wharf

Why It's a Must-See: You'll find the next top aquarium in the SF Bay Area right here in San Francisco, featuring local plants and animals that live in the SF Bay.

The 300 feet of walk-through tunnels are absolutely stunning, as you'll feel that you've dived into bay with marine life swimming all around you.

Highlights: 

• More than 200 species ranging from colorful jellyfish to octopus, sharks, bay rays, and river otters
• Near Shore tunnel: animals living 10–15 feet below the bay’s surface, including swirling schools of anchovies and Eastern Pacific Red Octopus
• Shark tunnel: larger species that live in deeper waters, including sevengill, leopard, and soupfin sharks as well as rays and sturgeons
• Touch pools for visitors of all ages to interact with the marine life

Visiting Information: The Aquarium of the Bay is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. You'll find it in Fisherman's Wharf at the end of Pier 39.

>> Pick up advanced tickets so you don't have to wait in line when you arrive

3. Steinhart Aquarium

Location in San Francisco: Inside the Cal Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park

Why It's a Must-See: This is a fantastic aquarium in the SF Bay Area because, while it's impressive on its own, it's joined by a four-story rainforest, a planetarium, and a natural history museum all under one roof.

This is SF's most visited museum every year. The aquarium was the first to publicly display flashlight fish and coconut octopuses and remains one of the most biologically diverse aquariums on the planet.

Highlights:

• Several walk-around tanks like the one photographed above, where you can easily get a close-up look inside
• Nearly 60,000 animals that represent more than 800 species from all over the world, from the California coast African penguins to the Philippine Coral Reef
• "Claude" - an extremely rare albino alligator (this is probably the only place on the Earth where you can see one!) 

Visiting Information: Open 365 days a year, Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm. You will find it on the eastern end of Golden Gate Park across from the de Young.

>> Get skip-the-line tickets to save time and enjoy your visit sooner 

Smaller Aquariums Around the SF Bay Area

4. Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove (Alameda)

Distance from San Francisco: About 25 minutes east

This is one of the aquariums in the SF Bay Area that sits on the opposite side of the bay, in the quaint town of Alameda. It has been in operation for over 40 years and yet is still a hidden gem and a fun little trip out of the city.

The Crab Cove Aquarium features an 800-gallon tank, interactive tours, and lots of fun exhibits for kids. Check out the Crab Cover Marine Area to see what lives under the water as the tides roll out back into the bay.

They are open Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 4 pm (November - February) or 10 am to 5 pm (March - October). Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Admission is free and parking is $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is attended.

5. Seymour Marine Discovery Center (Santa Cruz)

Distance from San Francisco: About 1.5 hours south

The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is located in the cool surf town of Santa Cruz on the northern edge of the Monterey Bay.

It is one of my favorite aquariums near the SF Bay Area because you can do things such as touch a shark (don't worry, it is friendly and won't bite you), learn about native sea creatures like hermit crabs and sea urchins, and take pictures in front of the 87-foot blue whale skeleton. It is one of the largest skeletons anywhere in the world!

Thanks to its idyllic location, it's not uncommon to spot whales, otters, pelicans, and more from just outside the aquarium on the scenic UC Santa Cruz Coastal Campus.

It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. From July to early August, they are open every day. 

Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, and $9 for children 3 to 17 or students with ID. They also offer free half-hour tours with admission, four times a day.

6. The Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito)

Distance from San Francisco: About 30 minutes north

Even though this isn't technically an aquarium, I've added it because there are so many cool things to see and do here related to the San Francisco Bay. The Marine Mammal Center is just north of San Francisco in the beautiful town of Sausalito.

You are in for a treat when you visit because you will see all kinds of seals, including ones that are being brought back from the edge of extinction. You can also take tours, learn more about all the wildlife here, and even volunteer.

This place is home to many rescued marine mammals. You can take a Behind-the-Scenes tour to learn about how their hospital works to restore them to health. 

Best of all, admission is free for all. Just make sure to reserve online in advance. They are open Friday to Monday from 10 am to 4 pm.

More Fun Things to Do with Kids in SF

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