Anne L. Francis

Small Aquarium, Big Price

Pier 39, San Francisco's high-traffic tourist attraction, is known for its novelty and gift shops, a lovely vintage carousel, several restaurants, and great bay views. But there's one other Pier 39 spot that merits a mention: Aquarium of the Bay. Dedicated to education and preservation of the San Francisco Bay marine life, this small aquarium is a quick-visit kind of place and can give your family a much-needed 30 - 90 minute respite from the glitz and glare of tourist-central.

The aquarium is set up for a one-way, self-guided tour, starting with a walk through three exhibit areas and ending in the gift shop. In Discover the Bay, you'll walk among several tanks of marine life. Next, an elevator takes you down to the main attraction, Under the Bay. Here, a slowly moving walkway moves you through two impressive, long tunnels where you're completely surrounded by water and the inhabitants of the Bay, including bat rays and sharks. At the end of the second tunnel, take the elevator up to Touch the Bay. You can safely handle a variety of marine life here, in one of several pools, including baby rays, sharks, and starfish. Docents are on hand at each pool and will teach your family the correct way to interact with the animals.

In addition to the exhibits, the aquarium provides several daily activities, including talks about sharks, bat ray feedings, and story time with an aquarium naturalist. On weekends, there are additional shark and fish feedings, and Q&A time with the animal care staff (while they're in the tanks).

Aquarium of the Bay Open is open every day except Dec. 25, weekdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and in the summer 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable -- naturalists are stationed in every exhibit to answer questions. Though small, the museum layout makes it stroller friendly, so it's a good choice for even the youngest visitor. The hands-on exhibits, such as the tide pools, are low to the ground, making them ideal for small children.

The one major drawback to this small aquarium is the big price. Admission is currently $13.95 ages 12 - 64 and $7.00 ages 3-11 (65+ and kids under 3 are free). Plus, parking fees are hefty at Pier 39, for example the Pier 39 parking garage right across the street costs $6/hr, $30 max. per day. You might be able to find a 2-hour meter on a nearby street, but those are also rather pricey, at 6 minutes for a quarter.

Ticket tips: Admission is free for San Francisco residents on Family Appreciation Day. Members of Happy Hollow Park and Zoo (San Jose, CA) receive 50% off aquarium admission price. Go to the California Welcome Center (level 2, Pier 39) and pick up your free book of entertainment coupons which should include a discount coupon for the aquarium, such as 'buy one full price ticket, get one free of the same or lesser value'. Parking tips: eat at most any Pier 39 restaurant to get at least one hour of validated parking in the Pier 39 parking garage. AAA members visiting Pier 39 can get two hours free parking (go to the California Welcome Center). Or, skip parking and try public transportation or a taxi.

Aquarium of the Bay
Pier 39, Embarcadero at Beach St.
San Francisco, CA 94133
1-888-SEA-DIVE 732-3483 or 415-623-5300
http://www.aquariumofthebay.com/

Stars: 3 out of 5 / Price: moderate