Walk-through tunnels put sharks, rays and schools of fish overhead, and the river otters are a crowd favorite, all focused on San Francisco Bay wildlife. Steps from the PIER 39 sea lions.
Local Legend: The Sea Lions of Pier 39
What is actually true: The timing checks out. Pier 39 Marina says the Loma Prieta earthquake struck on October 17, 1989, and that in December 1989 one large male sea lion arrived in its West Harbor; by February 1990 there were more than 300. The marina credits dock space, plenty of herring and a sheltered harbor for why they stayed. Nobody has shown that the earthquake sent them.
Opening Hours
| Monday | 10 am–5 pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–5 pm |
From the venue’s own page, checked September 19, 2026. Holiday hours and one-off closures can differ.
Getting There
- MThe Embarcadero & Stockton StF Market & Wharves streetcar · 98 m, about 2 min walk
- MTaylor St & Bay StPowell–Mason cable car · 0.4 mi, about 10 min walk
- BEmbarcadero BART1.3 mi, about 31 min walk
Transit directions, including buses
Nearest Muni Metro, streetcar and cable car stops and BART stations, from SFMTA and BART published stop data. Distances are straight-line, and walking times are our estimate. Buses aren’t listed here.
More in Fisherman's Wharf
Coming up Nearby
- Fisherman’s Wharf Chowder Fest Sat, Oct 24 · Triangle Lot & Little Embarcadero, Fisherman's Wharf
- San Francisco Veterans Day Parade Sun, Nov 8 · Fisherman's Wharf (Jefferson Street)
- PIER 39 Christmas Tree Lighting Thu, Dec 3 · PIER 39
Places in the Neighborhood
- Boudin Bakery at Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurants
- Musée Mécanique Museums
- The Original Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop Ice Cream & Treats
Mentioned in Our Guides
Cite this page: Project SF, “Aquarium of the Bay”, projectsf.com/listings/aquarium-of-the-bay/ (updated ).