By Katie Ferguson

The ocean is a fascinating place for children who love the colorful and interactive displays, live shows featuring dolphins and multimedia presentations. Visiting oceanariums can also be an opportunity for them to touch living animals in a safe environment, while learning about them, too.

Here’s a list of three of the best ocean-themed parks and sea worlds in San Francisco; remember to do a quick online search to find discount or voucher codes to save yourself a few dollars when purchasing your tickets:

Aquarium of the Bay: Certainly the highlight of this well-known Californian aquarium is its “Under the Bay” exhibit, which is a moving walkway (great for tired little feet) that runs through clear tunnels that are home to approximately 20,000 marine animals.

Get a great view of the ‘smiling’ faces of rays stuck to the curved glass and look out for the octopuses and sharks as you wind your way through this 300-foot pathway.

While you’re down at Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf, have a look for the male sea lions that amass in this area. Said to have first gathered there after the earthquake in 1989, they attract quite a crowd of onlookers, and have numbered in their thousands in the past. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops nearby if you’re feeling a bit peckish, and you might like to stop by the Marine Mammal Center to read about these playful animals.

Moving from things in the sea to things on the sea, another great place to visit in the Bay is the San Francisco Maritime park, which has special events for kids. It’s a great opportunity for children to learn about nature and spend precious time outdoors, whether you take a walk or plan a picnic on the beach. Be sure to stop by the Hyde Street Pier to take part in the weekly events.

These organizations in San Francisco are passionate about animals and conservation, and they’re dedicated to teaching younger people about protecting the environment. If you’re keen to visit an aquarium or wildlife park in the city, be sure to print off discount code and present it at the till to get a reduction on your tickets.

Katie Ferguson grew up in Birmingham, UK and has now relocated to Edinburgh to settle with her husband and two young kids. She enjoys writing about parenting and the great outdoors. Katie writes articles for smartsave.com/uk