Aquarium of the Bay, San Francisco
Spread across 9,000 square feet, the Aquarium of the Bay is an insightful, fun visit for people of all ages; a place like no other in the world, where you get to touch, feel and see the world that exists under water, experiencing what it takes to be a deep sea diver – without actually getting wet.
The aquarium boasts of a collection of over 50 different species of sharks, as well as a wide variety of marine wildlife like skates, bat rays and thousands of other animals including eels, flatfish, rockfish, wrasse, gobies, kelpfish, pricklebacks, sculpin and sturgeons. A river otter exhibit opened in 2013, with snow placed in the otter enclosure periodically during the winter, in what are called "Otter Snow Days."
The top attraction, however, is the underwater exhibit, which allows guests spectacular close-ups as they pass through clear tunnels within large tanks, each filled with fish, sharks, crustaceans, and other marine life. Another point that elevates the experience to the memorable is the presence of touch pools upstairs, where kids and adults can feed and touch the slimy, squishy creatures. If you haven't seen them in the wild, seeing them up close will be quite fun!
Why You Should Visit:
Cool little aquarium with a pleasing emphasis on the environment and sustainability.
Huge underwater tunnels with a large variety of fish to see!
Tip:
Pay the extra to do the behind the scenes tour (available only on certain days) where you literally walk above the tanks and all the people inside the aquarium.
The aquarium boasts of a collection of over 50 different species of sharks, as well as a wide variety of marine wildlife like skates, bat rays and thousands of other animals including eels, flatfish, rockfish, wrasse, gobies, kelpfish, pricklebacks, sculpin and sturgeons. A river otter exhibit opened in 2013, with snow placed in the otter enclosure periodically during the winter, in what are called "Otter Snow Days."
The top attraction, however, is the underwater exhibit, which allows guests spectacular close-ups as they pass through clear tunnels within large tanks, each filled with fish, sharks, crustaceans, and other marine life. Another point that elevates the experience to the memorable is the presence of touch pools upstairs, where kids and adults can feed and touch the slimy, squishy creatures. If you haven't seen them in the wild, seeing them up close will be quite fun!
Why You Should Visit:
Cool little aquarium with a pleasing emphasis on the environment and sustainability.
Huge underwater tunnels with a large variety of fish to see!
Tip:
Pay the extra to do the behind the scenes tour (available only on certain days) where you literally walk above the tanks and all the people inside the aquarium.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Francisco. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Aquarium of the Bay on Map
Sight Name: Aquarium of the Bay
Sight Location: San Francisco, USA (See walking tours in San Francisco)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Francisco, USA (See walking tours in San Francisco)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Francisco, California
Create Your Own Walk in San Francisco
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Francisco is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Fisherman's Wharf Walking Tour
If it's a hot, sunny day or the one filled with San Francisco's iconic fog, a walk through Fisherman's Wharf can feel quite special all the same. Sure, you'll be surrounded by tourists, but the smells of good food and the sights of a legendary seaport (the one where a few lovingly preserved, historic vessels are still docked and open to visitors) will make you happy.
At the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
At the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Chinatown Walking Tour
The San Francisco Chinatown is home to one of the largest Chinese communities outside Asia. It is also renowned as a major tourist attraction in the city, drawing annually more visitors than the Golden Gate Bridge. Since its establishment, in 1848, this enclave has been instrumental in the preservation of the history, culture, language, religion, and identity of the ethnic Chinese in the United... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
North Beach Walking Tour
North Beach is one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Francisco, known as San Francisco's Little Italy. Bursting with history, culture, and diverse attractions, this fun area features a great mix of architecture, museums, restaurants, and old shops.
Perhaps the most iconic landmark here is the Transamerica Pyramid, a distinctive skyscraper that has become a symbol of the city's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Perhaps the most iconic landmark here is the Transamerica Pyramid, a distinctive skyscraper that has become a symbol of the city's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Union Square Walking Tour
Union Square, a bustling hub in the heart of San Francisco, is a place where locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy a mix of shopping, entertainment, and cultural attractions. In addition to being the third largest shopping area in the United States, the square features an array of restaurants, theaters, and a wonderful concentration of fine art galleries.
One of the prominent landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
One of the prominent landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Famous Architecture Walking Tour
San Francisco is one of the world's top travel destinations, famous for its spectacular tourist attractions like Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge. But besides that, it also boasts a huge variety of world-known architecture fit to delight the eye of any beholder. Let's give ourselves an aesthetic treat, too, and check out some of the city's most... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Castro District Walking Tour
It's a well-known fact that San Francisco is the place where the gay and lesbian culture flourished in its modernity in the mid-20th century. The Castro District, where the rainbow flag is flying high, houses several iconic locations that have played pivotal roles in LGBTQ+ history and continue to be celebrated today.
One such is the Castro Theater. This renowned landmark, which has been... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
One such is the Castro Theater. This renowned landmark, which has been... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
14 Souvenirs That Scream San Francisco
Home to many historic landmarks, such as Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown and Alcatraz, San Francisco is closely associated with many iconic images of the American culture, such as Levi's jeans, baseball, and hippie movement. Modern Frisco carefully preserves its legacy by keeping it alive...
Divine Artisan Chocolates in San Francisco
San Francisco is home to the most delicious artisan chocolates! From the historic Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory to New American TCHO chocolates, there are many local chocolate boutiques and factories to visit where you might be treated to a few samples. From exotic flavors such as lavender-walnut...