4.5Monterey Bay Aquarium(14.4k reviews) - All aquarium lovers should come here! Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Aquariums
Located by the oceanfront, the Monterey Bay Aquarium offers a window into the rich marine life of the area with over 200 exhibits and 80,000 plants and animals on display. Here, you can see leopard sharks weave through kelp forests at one of the tallest aquarium exhibits in the world, sardines swimming past a 90-foot aquarium window, and cute sea otters frolicking. Tickets are only available online so be sure to book before you go. There’s also a behind-the-scenes tour for an exclusive peek behind their world-class exhibits. – TripadvisorSee more..
4.0SeaWorld(10.2k reviews) - Pleasantly Surprised... Friday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Amusement & Theme Parks • Aquariums
Only at SeaWorld can you get close to dolphins, penguins, sharks and more. See awe-inspiring shows with magnificent killer whales, playful dolphins, humorous sea lions plus an amazing pet show featuring adopted animals. Dive under the sea at Explorer's Reef and touch a crab, shark, or playful cleaner fish. Experience exhilarating rides, roller coasters and water rides. See dozens of amazing attractions. Enjoy fresh California cuisine. Experience this beautiful park located on scenic Mission Bay. SeaWorld is a top-rated, all-age attraction and a must-see for any visit to San Diego. Have unforgettable fun that sparks a passion for wild animals and wild places.See more..
4.5Aquarium of the Pacific(3.242 reviews) - Sea otters for hours Friday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Aquariums
Learn about the rich marine life of the Pacific Ocean at the largest aquarium in Southern California, home to over 11,000 animals across 500 different species. The building's bold facade is inspired by the fluid motion of the Pacific waves; step inside and you'll find over 100 exhibits and 19 unique habitats. Outside, check out the expansive Shark Lagoon with shark touching pools, and the Lorikeet Forest, a 5,400-square-foot aviary. To visit, you'll need to get a timed ticket or make an online reservation. The aquarium also hosts multiple cultural events year-round, so be sure to check what's on before visiting. – TripadvisorSee more..
4.5Birch Aquarium at Scripps(1.943 reviews) - Beautiful location Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Natural History Museums • Aquariums
Dive into the world of sharks, seahorses, and coral reefs at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Perched high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, Birch Aquarium features more than 60 habitats with amazing creatures including a rescued Loggerhead Sea Turtle, a Giant Pacific Octopus, Garibaldi and Moray Eels. Not to be missed are the outdoor tide pools where guests can touch local creatures including juvenile sharks, or the two-story Giant Kelp Forest. Seadragons & Seahorses features one of the largest seadragon habitats in the world, and the new Moon Jelly experience will awe guests of all ages in the Hall of Fishes. Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. year-round with extended summer hours. Keep an eye on the website for the addition of seasonal events and outdoor adventures. Advanced reservations are required for all guests, even members.See more..
4.0SEA LIFE Aquarium(674 reviews) - The reptile exhibit was the cherry on top! Spent 1-2 hours Aquariums
SEA LIFE is designed to be a child’s interactive guide to the life of the sea. Get ready to embark on a journey through fantastic ocean habitats. Shake hands with sea stars at the touch pools and discover the sharks, stingrays and tropical fish of the mysterious Lost City of Atlantis. SEA LIFE Aquarium is packed with interactive play zones, fun activities and unforgettable sights creating an experience like no other. SEA LIFE Aquarium is home to more than 5,000 living creatures and incorporates LEGO models into a child's voyage to the depths of the ocean featuring play zones, fun facts and quiz trails. Visit the new Sea at Night attraction featuring an amazing bioluminescence display.See more..
4.5Ocean World(428 reviews) - Worth a Visit! Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Aquariums
Ocean World – A Crescent City Jewel for Three Generations Since 1964, Ocean World, formerly Under Sea Gardens, was located in the Crescent City harbor small boat basin. It was a barge built specifically as an aquarium in Seattle and floated down to Crescent City. Visitors would descend below deck of the barge and view sea life through under-water observation windows. In 1985 the barge was moved to dry land and now consists of sea-life environments housed in tanks containing over half a million gallons of water and an abundance of sea life, including sharks, seals, sea lions, and rays. Visitors are able to enjoy a true hands-on experience with interactive tide pools, shark petting, as well as a high-flying sea lion presentation of behaviors; truly something for the whole family.See more..
4.0Heal the Bay Aquarium(272 reviews) - Try to visit if you can Friday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Aquariums
Heal the Bay Aquarium is a marine education facility, which inspires understanding and conservation of Southern California coastal waters, watersheds and marine life through education, interaction and discovery. Located beach level, just below the Carousel at the Santa Monica Pier, the Aquarium is open to the general public daily. Over its 18 years of operation, the Aquarium has welcomed more than one million visitors during public hours, and in-house education programs have reached close to 200,000 students. Heal the Bay is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to making the coastal waters and watersheds of Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy and clean. To fulfill our mission, we use science, education, community action, and advocacy.See more..
4.5Seymour Marine Discovery Center(255 reviews) - Go Here When Visiting Santa Cruz! Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Science Museums • Aquariums
Come touch a friendly shark, see how marine scientists work, and take in the spectacular Monterey Bay. Our exhibit hall offers a deeper dive into the adventure of ocean research here in Santa Cruz and around the world. Visit us and explore the fascinating world of marine science and conservation. We look forward to meeting you! The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is a community-supported marine science education center of the University of California, Santa Cruz.See more..
4.5Living Coast Discovery Center(206 reviews) - Not far from the immense San Diego Zoo, this is the opposite - a small, up close look at local animals Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Zoos • Aquariums
Living Coast Discovery Center is a nonprofit zoo and aquarium located on San Diego Bay. Greet a sea turtle as she swims up to say hello! Get eye-to-eye with a bald eagle! Touch a bat ray in our interactive touch pool! Peruse Raptor Row and see the Living Coast's rescued birds of prey, all of which are non-releasable from injury or imprinting. Discover the native species you don't see in the city--or on land! Visitors are also free to follow their own path along the Refuge's 1.5 miles of walking trails. The Living Coast Discovery Center is a chance to explore Southern California's plants and animals on the 316-acre Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. If you're looking for a wildlife adventure, this is the place!See more..
4.0Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center(172 reviews) - My Favorite Tourist Attraction in SB - Without the Tourists! Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Natural History Museums • Aquariums
Discover the wonders of ocean life at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. Located on historic Stearns Wharf, this highly interactive regional aquarium offers you close encounters with marine animals from the Santa Barbara Channel. In addition to permanent exhibits, the Sea Center hosts unique events and special educational programming. Explore the underwater world of the Santa Barbara Channel in our updated upstairs exhibit Dive In: Our Changing Channel. Encounter a Two-spot Octopus, Moon Jellies, Giant Pacific Seahorses, a California Moray, and more. Learn about the channel’s unique habitats from rocky reefs to kelp forests and see the animals that live there.See more..
Now open again after being closed due to Covid for a year. Recommend making a reservation as they have limited occupancy at this time. It is a small aquarium, but a fun quick tour. We left a nice donation and will return. Best for families.See more..
4.0SeaQuest Folsom(72 reviews) - A lot of fun. Check times for experiences before buying tokens Friday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Aquariums
Immerse yourself in a world of discovery as SeaQuest takes you on an adventure through rainforests, deserts and the depths of the seas. With exciting exhibits and activities for families and children of all ages, you’ll be able to get wet with the stingrays, feed the toucans, encounter the caimans, marvel at the sharks, take selfies with the snakes and more. Creating an unforgettable experience for every guest by connecting them with amazing animals from all over the planet.See more..
