San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket in San Francisco
San Francisco, United States

San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket

Outty Ranking 51 3.5 · 310 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $29

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$29
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Outty Ranking

51/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.5/5

Based on 310 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket worth booking?

San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket is a 2-hour experience in San Francisco, United States, from $29 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 3.5/5 rating across 310 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
51 / 100
Rating
3.5/5 (310)
Duration
2 hours
From
$29 per person

Visit Aquarium of the Bay for an interactive introduction to the fish and other marine life that live in San Francisco Bay and its surrounding Pacific waters. This general admission ticket includes access to the Aquarium

What you get

    About this experience

    Visit Aquarium of the Bay for an interactive introduction to the fish and other marine life that live in San Francisco Bay and its surrounding Pacific waters. This general admission ticket includes access to the Aquarium’s main exhibit areas, which feature more than 20,000 animals. You can observe creatures like sharks, rays, sea stars and river otters. With its location at the foot of PIER 39 between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Alcatraz ferry landing, Aquarium of the Bay is easy to fit into your San Francisco sightseeing schedule.

    What's included

    Included

    • Admission to the Aquarium of the Bay

    Not included

    • Food and drinks
    • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off

    What you'll see and do

    1. Aquarium of the Bay

      When you arrive at Aquarium of the Bay, located on San Francisco’s bustling Embarcadero (also home to other attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf, the Pier 39 sea lions, Boudin Bakery and the ferries to Alcatraz Island), head inside with your general admission ticket and begin your self-guided exploration of the aquarium. Your admission allows you to visit the aquarium’s main exhibit areas. With a focus on the marine life of San Francisco Bay and its surrounding bodies of water, the Aquarium of the Bay is home to 20,000-plus animals that live in 700,000 gallons (2.6 million liters) of carefully maintained bay water. Stay at the aquarium as long as you like to learn about sea creatures like jellyfish, octopus, and sharks. Discover the Bay exhibit: See orange garibaldi, green moray eels, colorful rockfish, and other wildlife native to the San Francisco Bay. Learn about how anchovies stick together and avoid predators, and find out how the bay acts as a breeding ground for perch and many other fish. Under the Bay exhibit: Walk through a 300-foot (90-meter) tunnel system of clear glass for a look at the fascinating fish and other sea life in the bay and nearby Pacific waters. See mesmerizing jellyfish, a giant Pacific octopus, graceful rays, sturgeon, and multiple local shark species like sevengill sharks, leopard sharks, soupfin sharks, and spiny dogfish.

      Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Aquarium of the Bay

    Embarcadero & Beach St, Pier 39, San Francisco, California, 94133, United States

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Aquarium of the Bay · Embarcadero & Beach St, Pier 39, San Francisco, California, 94133, United States

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Aquarium of the Bay

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Free admission for children ages 3 and under
    • Wheelchair and stroller accessible
    • The aquarium is open every day except Christmas Day
    • Current operating hours are 10am-5pm

    Photos

    Aquarium of the Bay General AdmissionAquarium of the BaySan Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket in San Francisco, photo 4San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket in San Francisco, photo 5San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket in San Francisco, photo 6San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket in San Francisco, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 309 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Good for families

    4 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Traveler reviews

    309 verified traveler reviews for San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    111
    4 star
    58
    3 star
    58
    2 star
    37
    1 star
    45
    Sort
    Cameron_D · July 2026

    Beautiful

    More inclusive for a date I Anna bring a girl here to celebrate and I wanted to order flower otherwise great

    via Viator

    Susan_K · June 2026

    Aquarium

    I live in Arizona my sister lives in Salinas I thought this was the Monterrey aquarium so when we went they said this was in San Francisco not for Monterrey i honestly had no idea Is there away for me to get my money back

    via Viator

    Angelica_Z · June 2026

    The aquarium was great!!...

    The aquarium was great!! The kids had so much fun & they really enjoyed being able to touch the manta rays.

    via Viator

    Sharon C · May 2026

    Wildlife looked sad and unwell

    We had a complimentary pass with our BigBus two day ticket so we went along but it was not a good experience, lots of the fish were pale and just sitting on the bottom of the tank or on the shelf by the glass, so clearly they are not being well looked after. It was all very sad to see.

    via Tripadvisor

    Ralph_P · April 2026

    It was GREAT till the...

    It was GREAT till the kids came for a field trip and Serenity no more! Lol The tunnels are amazing. Could spend all day just in the tunnels.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    2 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    109
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 51

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)0
    Review evidence (18% weight)75
    Booking momentum (14% weight)71
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)76
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Francisco.

    How much does San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket cost?

    +

    Prices start at $29 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Francisco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket take?

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    Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in San Francisco is not rushed.

    Is San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.5/5 across 310 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in San Francisco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket?

    +

    Around 109 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in San Francisco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Francisco and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Francisco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in San Francisco?

    +

    San Francisco packs Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Napa and the bay into day-trip range, which makes booking order matter more than anywhere else in the US. Alcatraz sells out weeks ahead, wine-country vans fill on weekends, and the best food walks in the Mission and Chinatown cap at a dozen people. Our ranking favours small groups and guides who live in the neighbourhood they walk. On Outty we rank every San Francisco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz, Chinatown, North Beach, Little Italy: 7 Tastings & History. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit San Francisco?

    +

    September and October, the city's real summer, once the fog season breaks. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in San Francisco?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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