Aquarium of the Bay
I love family vacations and the last week of Winter Break we decided to head up North for a week away in the Central Coast and San Francisco. We love the Central Coast and the Bay Area and it was the perfect place to visit with the family. We couldn’t ask for better weather, it was in the 60’s and 70’s most of the week we were there.
While we were in San Francisco we decided to take the family to visit The Aquarium of the Bay. The Aquarium is located in the heart of San Francisco’s history and culture. They are nestled in the shadow of Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill on Fisherman’s Wharf at PIER 39, along the City’s “Walkable Waterfront.”
San Francisco Bay's Aquarium
The Aquarium of the Bay partners with The Bay Institute to protect, restore and inspire the conservation of San Francisco Bay, from the Sierra to the Sea. The Aquarium features marine life found in the Bay of San Francisco. There are about 20,000 animals including Sevengill Sharks that my kiddos were absolutely enthralled with.
- Credit: Aquarium of the Bay
The Aquarium is home to a 700,000 gallon Aquarium Tunnels. We loved being able to step on a walkway and be surrounded by beautiful sharks and stingrays swimming above us.
I snapped this photo and I can't get over the beauty of the Jellfish
The Aquarium features walls of jellies which I could have watched for hours! They are incredibly beautiful creatures.
I could watch for hours!
We had the opportunity to take a behind the scenes tour of the aquarium. I can’t rave about this experience enough! It’s only $10 more per ticket and worth every single penny. We went on the 4pm tour and it turned out to be a tour for just five of us. Our family and an additional patron and it felt like a personal and very exclusive behind the magic tour.
We walked not the catwalk above the tunnel aquariums and I can’t even begin to describe how cool it was. We also learned how the animals are fed and how they are cared for. The kids loved being able to ask questions and it made for a memorable experience. You really have to experience it for yourself.
The Aquarium is open every day of the year except for Christmas. For additional information head here.