• The San Francisco Bay Area offers several marine aquarium tourist attractions.aquarium animal image by cherie from Fotolia.com
  
  San Francisco, known as "the City by the Bay" is home to several marine aquarium tourist attractions. Whether you are in town visiting or live in the area, by spending an afternoon at one of these aquariums you can learn about the amazing diversity of sea life. In addition, you can see marine life on the stretches of beach in the city as well as on the pier around the Fisherman's Wharf area.
  
  

Aquarium of the Bay

• Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco is a popular tourist attraction in the city. The aquarium features more than 20,000 marine animals that live in the San Francisco Bay Area. The aquarium has daily, interactive events, such as shark and bat ray feedings. You can purchase a general admission ticket, or you can get a behind-the-scenes tour ticket for a few bucks more. The aquarium is a nonprofit marine nature center focused on conservation, research and education. After your aquarium visit, if you wander over to nearby Pier 39, you may catch a glimpse of some sea lions lounging on the floating docks.
  
  Aquarium of the Bay
  The Embarcadero and Beach Street
  San Francisco, CA 94133
  888-SEADIVE
  AquariumoftheBay.org
  
  

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium

• Inside the California Academy of Sciences is the Steinhart Aquarium. The Steinhart Aquarium houses more than 38,000 live animals, including penguins, sharks, a coral reef and an albino alligator. It has a 100,000-gallon tank dedicated to marine life from Northern California bay areas. You can get up close and personal with some of the animals during the aquarium's daily demonstrations and programs.
  
  Steinhart Aquarium
  55 Music Concourse Drive
  Golden Gate Park
  San Francisco, CA 94118
  415-379-8000
  CalAcademy.org
  
  

Monterey Bay Aquarium

• Although not in the city of San Francisco, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is just a short drive away and is well worth the trip. The aquarium, which has been around for more than 20 years, has a variety of exhibits including pink flamingos, zebra sharks and octopuses. The Monterey Bay Aquarium also has numerous adventure programs that you can purchase in addition to the general admission price. Adventure programs include behind-the-scenes tours, aquarium sleepovers and sailing trips.
  
  Monterey Bay Aquarium
  886 Cannery Row
  Monterey, CA 93940
  831-648-4888
  MontereyBayAquarium.org