AQUARIUMS · SAN FRANCISCO
Good aquariums run on timed slots and the good slots go first. Below: the 4 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Visit Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39 with a mobile general admission ticket. Walk through 300 feet of clear underwater tunnels, see local sharks, jellyfish, rays, octopuses, and orange garibaldi, then explore the exhibits at your own pace.
“We Didnt get to go. They shut early. We are very disappointed we didn't get to go since it was for my birthday”
Arrive at 9:15 am for a 90-minute English tour before Aquarium of the Bay opens. An aquarium guide such as Connor Price, Mayra, or Claire leads you through the exhibits, explains animal care, answers questions, and finishes with a river otter training video.
“Strai got forward guided tour of the exhibits. Nice to have the whole place to our small tour group before the aquarium opened. Guide was friendly. Wish that there was animal feeding or care to watch, that would have made it really special. Small aquarium so the hour long tour covered the whole thing. Kids loved being able to ask the knowledgeable guide lots of questions. River otters were the clear favorite attraction.”
You’ll visit Alcatraz by ferry, follow its excellent self-guided prison audio tour, explore Aquarium of the Bay, then spend a long day in Yosemite with a narrated valley drive, Tunnel View, and three hours of free time.
“I taught we were going to see the séquoia trees. Very disappointed. Thé trials were nice. Very nice group of people.”
Start with 90 minutes among the redwoods at Muir Woods, then explore Sausalito and return by ferry with Golden Gate views. In the evening, take Alcatraz’s special night ferry, audio tour, and after-dark programs. Aquarium of the Bay admission is also included, though its timing is not specified.
“Not worth it. Really expensive. You can get a better offer over there. There's no big value on this tour.”
By kind of visit, by what it costs, or by who is on the other side of the glass.
