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Monterey Bay Aquarium

4.3 (5.6k reviews)
Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Updated a few days ago

Monterey Bay Aquarium Photos

Recommended Reviews - Monterey Bay Aquarium

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Kevin D.

I used to come to the Monterey Bay Aquarium as a kid. This place has been here since the mid 80's and some of what I remember is still here. We saw lots of tours come through here and it's still a stunning attraction after all this time. Prices are $65 per person, $50 for seniors (70+) and $50 for children to (17). Definitely worth visiting, a world renowned aquarium.

Stasia T.

Love the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Put on your headphones, add your favorite tunes, and it becomes this tranquil, almost unexpected mix of calm and adventure; the kind of place where you can quietly run away from pressure and just slow down. Even when it's busy, you can always find a corner by the kelp forest, and let your mind drift somewhere underwater. Every exhibit feels like a small discovery, even after repeat visits. The open ocean... it carries this sense of mystery, like little secrets waiting to be noticed if you give them enough time. It almost feels like climbing through a different world, one moment at a time. There is a soft kind of excitement in exploring, not loud or overwhelming, but the kind that keeps you curious, gently pulling you forward. Somewhere along the way, it becomes less about just looking and more about how you feel being there. You pause more and maybe even find a bit of yourself in the stillness. It is one of those places that feels grounding and a little magical at the same time. **Shoutout to the wonderful retired volunteer lady in the bird area who once patiently spent over 30 minutes talking with me and explaining the local bird species and coastal wildlife.

Erly G.

This is a place that's absolutely worth indulging with if you ever decide to visit the area. We are California residents and we decided to become members from June 2025 through June 2026. We did the family membership for $295 which allows you unlimited entry for the entire year for 2 designated adults and children or grandchildren ages 5-21. Being a member also allows you early entry beginning 9:30am which makes it less chaotic when all other visitors come in at 10:00am. Members also have separate lines (shorter than the regular line). Ticket prices starts at $65 for adults, $50 for youth and $50 for seniors. Pricey indeed but worth it. Probably one of the best Aquariums I've been to. We've been here since June several times already, maximizing our membership and I still don't get bored. The Monterey Bay Aquarium offers a wide variety of marine life including jellyfish, otters, penguins, fishes and a whole lot more. The staff and volunteers are all knowledgeable and friendly. Their gift shop although pricey has a wide variety of items that are very inviting. Their cafeteria offers good foo and drink choices but as expected, it is expensive. My favorite of the exhibits are the Sarcastic Fringehead and the Bloody Belly comb jelly. We never fail to take a glimpse of these 2 marine life. I highly recommend visiting Monterey Bay Aquarium - every time we come, we always had an unforgettable and chill experience. March 2026

Lindsey T.

Great aquarium. Loved the otters and jelly fish. Tickets seemed on the higher side but we enjoyed our time.

Fish
Noah J.

Very nice exhibits . The sea otters and the ocean exhibits are good . Expensive to get in 65 per person . And it's a bit smaller than the aquarium in socal but it's much more refined exhibits. Took about an hour in a half to see everything without rushing 4/5, One star down for price

Caili C.

Great aquarium and absolutely lives up to its reputation as a world renowned institute! I finally got the chance to visit after a few trips to Monterey and we weren't disappointed by the exhibits. Everything feels super well curated and I particularly loved the jellyfish and otter exhibits. There are also great tide pools for touching manta rays, sea urchin and other shellfish. There's a cafe with coffee, snacks and meals inside. Of course it's pricy given it's a museum/tourist attraction but we found we could have spent longer here if only we didn't have lunch plans already and had to rush a bit to see the entire aquarium. As a bonus, the views of the coast are great!

Catherine Z.

Great aquarium!! The displays are humongous and beautiful, they seem like plenty of space for the animals. The penguin exhibit was closed when we went, but we caught the otter feeding just in time. We also saw a turtle in the open ocean exhibit, and saw a sea otter outside on the patio. Tip: the exhibits were pretty packed but right before closing ex (4:45 PM) the otter exhibit was empty so we got a wonderful up close view

Naliyah L.

Visited Monterey Bay Aquarium and it was so fun! I was a little bummed about how expensive the tickets felt -- it's around $60 for general admission, which feels steep compared to similar attractions (other aquariums often cost less) -- but the experience was still worth it for me. I loved seeing all the otters and, coincidentally, even spotted a pod of whales from outside -- such a cool bonus! The staff were extremely friendly and made the visit enjoyable. Overall, great experience and worth doing if you're in the area -- just be ready for that admission price!

Jellyfish.
Michael S.

I just wanted to add my two cents here. This is one of the Crown Jewels of Northern California. Incredible exhibits, wonderful staff, and volunteer docents around every corner. This is somewhere everyone visiting Monterey should visit.

Big Rolly Polly of the sea!
Ashley Q.

4 stars because: I honestly think they should have a cut off limit to how many people can go in ... I really hate that idea, however. I hated that adults were in the front forever at the windows and hard to squeeze your kid in. How about have a rule that kids get to go in front as us adults can see just fine over them. and someone working there to facilitate that. it was Friday and it was too crowded. I mean wayyy too crowded. sanitizing foam would be nice too at areas like SF Zoo. now. onto the good... beautiful creatures big and small. enjoyed learning about how important a little creature like plankton impacts sooo much. the gal that presented was awesome. The inside play area on 2nd floor was fun. And touching the stingray was cool( had to wait a while as they don't love coming around) the touching area was nice to experience. There is sanitizer at that station. Loved the art made out of recycled plastics. Very cool. bonus for adults. Wine and beer bar! And a coffee bar. Cafe looked clean. Stopped at a local store and brought my own sandwich in so I did not eat there. But the fish and chips looked good. you can sit outside or inside to eat. beautiful tide pools to see outside as well as the ocean ofc. My grandude loved the wave splashing over your head experience... under a plexiglass wall.

Deep sea exhibit
Matt C.

It was my first time visiting the Monterey Bay aquarium me and my wife took our three sons age range is 3 to 10 years old and they all loved it. I especially love the deep sea tank had a hammerhead shark massive sunfish nice school of yellowfin tuna and a bunch of other things that you don't typically get to see from that perspective there may or may not have been a dolphin that was often the distance was too dark to tell and it didn't come close enough but the movement made it seem like it could have been a dolphin or porpoise. The otter exhibit is super cool and really fun for the kids. I think the highlight of the whole thing was the little tunnel you can stand and be under the wave when it crashes because in between waves the Littles can run over and try and touch an enemies and hermit crabs and other living animals. The raise were hard to touch because they seem to be antisocial but it was the end of the day and I'm sure they had a lot of activity especially from hyperactive little kids lol the food was crazy big portion sizes not the best food but the kids liked it so good enough for me. Actually, completely forgot about the octopus tank. That was the highlight. Ive never seen one so large and active like this one was.

Reena S.

Love that my husband opted to get a membership. Members can arrive 30 minutes early to get a little time in before everyone else is let in at 10am. For my anxious self this is amazing. It's quiet, let's kid run to the things they want to see and not worry about the exhibits being overly crowded. Worth it for sure! Staff is very kind, facilities are so clean as well!

Ramy H.

The Monterey aquarium is a gem of Monterey bay. From their philanthropic work to conservation, the area of the coast wouldn't be the same without them. In terms of visiting, I usually spend 3-4 hours here seeing all the feeding programs and walking around to my favorite exhibits. Those include the octopus, kelp forest, jelly fish, and the sea turtles. I highly recommend a visit. Side note: there is also a full service restaurant with a fantastic view inside of the aquarium so if you don't feel like grabbing a stamp on your hand (for re-entry) and finding food outside of the aquarium, you can certainly stay in and grab lunch.

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Monterey Bay Aquarium Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Monterey Bay Aquarium

Is it pet friendly?

Their website states no pets are allowed.

Menu for cafe with pricing?

I suggest bringing snacks even sandwiches and drinks etc. The chowder I bought was about $15- $18 They don't offer clam chowder and a small bread roll was $1.99 each. I… Read more

What type of binoculars are used on the back deck viewing?

They are called "hi-spy viewing machines". The website is www.hispyviewing.com

When do tickets for January 2025 go on sale? I can only purchase through 12/31/24. Trying to go on January 2.

I would probably call them directly and ask, rather than trying to book online. You have much more flexibility talking w/ a person.

Is the website down to purchase tickets it appears to not be working?

I would say No. I just added 4 tickets for this Saturday and went all the way to the Payment.

Can I get a discount with my WIC card?

I don't think so , maybe not for people out of monterey county, because I did research some resources that may offer low-cost or free missions for families that are on different types of aid . I checked before I bought tickets for Easter day .… Read more

Is it acceptable to bring in baby formula/food? Under 1 year of age

Yes

Anyone want four tickets to the Aquarium on January 1st 2024? I can't go anymore. 3 adults and 1 child.

Do you have a Facebook buy nothing group in your area? Someone may take it there.

Anyone know if u can the tickets there the day of or only reservations ahead of time?

You need to purchase the ticket on line.

I can't figure out how to purchase tickets ? Everything says online but the online page says in person or to call. When I call it says not in person or through phone? Makes no sense and I can't get ahold of anyone .

Hi Jorge, thanks for reaching out. Tickets are not available on our website right now due to technical difficulties. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Aquarium entrance or by phone 831-648-4800 (phone lines are open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. PT). We… Read more

I have a toddler who's less than 3 yrs old, is mask strictly needed for him?

I was just there on 6/11/2022 and there wasn’t a make requirement. There were plenty of kids at the splash zone playing without a mask on.

Do i have to print tickets before hand or do they have something online for it? Barcode, qr code, ect?

QR code is emailed to you when you purchase tickets online.

Are masks required?

Hello! Currently, masks are encouraged but not required while inside the Aquarium. We hope this helps!

Restaurant at the aquarium?

Yes.

Can I buy tickets at the door?

Pretty sure everything directs you to purchase tickets online.

Can you go in and out with a single ticket?

Yes, they will stamp your hand on the way out.

How long do you think it would take to go through all the habitats in one day?

The short answer is to carve out about 3- hours for your visit. The answer "depends" (on your… Read more

How long is the line to take a covid test. I know it says expect 30 minutes, but what is the actual experience of others?

30 minutes is conservative guidance to allow for crowds (the test itself is only about 10 seconds). Our wait time was essentially nil

Do children under 12 y/o need proof of vaccination/negative test results before entering?

If you look at their website the very first thing that pops up in bold orange letters under plan your visit is: "Visitors ages 12 and over must show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for entry."… Read more

I was curious as to how much the behind the scenes tour costs? I am aware they are extremely limited as of right now and that you can't book them online.

They are indeed on again and I only glancingly happened to look back at the membership/tours kiosk today (at the entrance across from the gift shop). So I'm not positive but it might have said $19 for members, with maybe $3-10 more for nonmembers.… Read more

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Review Highlights - Monterey Bay Aquarium

The sea otters family frolic among the sea and the multitudes of fish all different with tiger sharks swim.

Mentioned in 963 reviews

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Adventures By The Sea

Adventures By The Sea

4.4(314 reviews)
0.5 mi

Staff were organized, friendly, and fast! We went straight out across the street and were kayaking…read morewithin 10min of checking in! Advice for a simple trip, bring flip flops/water shoes, a change of clothes (at least pants), and a towel. They have a restroom but more importantly they have dressing rooms and complimentary HEATED towels! Only problem is there really isn't a "secure" place to store your stuff, but it is pretty safe behind their counter! Great adventure!!

We rented a two row bike to get some excercise and ride around Cannery row. It was a nice cruise…read morestarting from Lover's point beach. The girls working here were friendly and helpful. We took a few breaks to just take in the views. Of all the times I visited Monterey, I'm glad we did this with our kids this go around. There's a basket in the front with a seatbelt for the younger kids. It was an enjoyable activity for our whole family and the weather was beautiful. We got to see the seals the Monterey bay Aquarium are trying so hard to keep safe. We rotated so all of us got to ride in the back and enjoyed the cruise. I recommend this activity if you have other adults, older kids (teens and up) or if your little ones can fit in the basket. Not the in between ages, there aren't any seatbelts or safety restraints. If you are in the area keep this activity in mind. It's cost friendly and the views are beautiful.

Photos
Adventures By The Sea - Otters!!!

Otters!!!

Adventures By The Sea - Family with their epic geocache find!

Family with their epic geocache find!

Adventures By The Sea - Cannery row from the sea

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Cannery row from the sea

Pacific Biological Laboratories - Back of the lab

Pacific Biological Laboratories

4.3(10 reviews)
0.1 mi

Today was the day!!! I have been a HUGE fan of the book Cannery Row and John Steinbeck for decades…read more As a lifelong local I always wondered what the inside of this place looked like! They offer free tours the first Saturday of the month. Tour lasts about an hour. I was very lucky and had the entire tour to myself! The docent was very knowledgeable about Monterey history as well as Ed Ricketts, John Steinbeck and all things Cannery Row. It was fascinating to look at the posters on the wall from the Mens club who owned the lab between the early 50's until the late 80's. The downstairs areas where the holding tanks are (visible from the outside) and the inside where the garage was. Along with things that you would know if you had read some of the books. Notably for me was the desk they built to take with them on the trip to the Sea of Cortez, that didn't fit inside the boat- so it was lashed to the outside and virtually never used. There it was! I touched it! If you're a lover of history and Steinbeck I highly recommend it!

I hesitate in writing even this…read more I wrote a lengthy review and deleted it. I don't want to give it away. I don't want it to cheapen it with more [censored] trotting around and trying to steal off of it or from it. But this, this is a holy place of sorts. You can go to the missions for religion. Or you can come here. But please don't.

Photos
Pacific Biological Laboratories
Pacific Biological Laboratories - Edward F. Ricketts --only a train could stop him. And did.

Edward F. Ricketts --only a train could stop him. And did.

Pacific Biological Laboratories - The front door.

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The front door.

Big Sur Adventures - Pebble beach 17 mile e- bike trip.

Big Sur Adventures

4.9(559 reviews)
1.8 mi

Amazing e-bike rental spot in a great location with really nice staff. Came here on our costal CA…read moreroadtrip and rented a few e-bikes for 4 hours. Shop is located in a quiet area. Plenty of street parking. Plenty of bikes. We got set up and ready to go quick. There are helmets if you don't bring your own and sacks on the bikes to carry your belongings. The staff gave us a map, answered some questions, and gave suggestions on where to go. We started with the 17 mile loop, which took a little over 2 hours. The scenery is absolutely stunning and there are plenty of spots to get off, take in the view, or spend some time on the beach. If you're gonna go into the sand I suggest wearing appropriate footwear. Water moccasins or Tevas. There isn't too much traffic along the trail so you're not constantly competing with cars. Stopped in the Pebble Beach pro shop to grab some souvenirs. There's plenty of things to see and you can either take your time or blast through it all. Overall fantastic shop. I'd 100% rent from them again.

The man who set us up with the e- bikes clearly explained how they work and made sure they fit us…read more The bikes were in great shape and we enjoyed riding to 17 mile drive. We would rent from you again!

Photos
Big Sur Adventures - Our Family-Friendly 17 Mile Dr Tour starts on the Recreational Trail in Monterey and passes by Lover's Point Park.

Our Family-Friendly 17 Mile Dr Tour starts on the Recreational Trail in Monterey and passes by Lover's Point Park.

Big Sur Adventures - Fully charge

Fully charge

Big Sur Adventures - Join us for the afternoon tour on the Old Coast Road tour in Big Sur for spectacular sunsets in the winter!

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Join us for the afternoon tour on the Old Coast Road tour in Big Sur for spectacular sunsets in the winter!

Adventures By The Sea - The morning Sun on the front of our shop.

Adventures By The Sea

4.7(35 reviews)
0.8 mi

We stayed at the Portola Inn and Spa, so their location couldn't have been closer! It is directly…read moreacross the Portola Plaza that extends to the original Fishermans wharf. The bike selection was decent, and the rates were relatively reasonable. $30 for four hours, or $40 for a full day (meaning up till 5:30 PM of that day). The particular person at this location was not very customer-service centric, and was scarcely helpful in explaining anything. We wouldn't put this place down because of him but, for such a high visibility and somewhat affluent location, he is not a good fit. I did a full day bike rental, and ended up returning it under the four-hour window, so I opted for the $30 (4-hr) rental and called them ahead of time. Communication was poor between the two locations, something that could definitely be improved especially with tourist season ramping up. I discovered upon returning the bike that I was obliged to go to their main location by the Monterey Plaza Hotel to collect a voucher for the difference, so we had to make another trip. Monterey is so beautiful this time of year, so we didn't mind but would've preferred to know ahead of time. The main location is very large and has an abundance of rentals - from kayaks to cruisers, cute lorry-style pedal bikes for families and everything in between. They also have deeply discounted sales from time to time on used bicycles and kayaks at this location. We saw an awesome 2-person kayak for under $100, and would have bought it if we had a way to bring it back! Adventures By the Sea has numerous locations across the US, so I've got my fingers crossed that the voucher is good for Maui too.

Kayaking Monterey is a must. Relatively calm waters and abundant wildlife. At the time of this…read morewriting, this is the only location they are launching from for the season (Cannery Row). Easy launch site across the street adjacent to M. Plaza Hotel. I believe there are discounts and relationships with surrounding hotels so ask your concierge. I felt comfortable renting versus a tour as the bay is generally calm and easy to navigate with landmarks. Here's the skinny. All transactions take place through the side of the building, a few steps down from the bike trail. I recommend going earlier than later as the sun can get intense even in the fall. Pleasant staff but they need more help. One person helped launch while the woman help process. When I arrived, I could not find staff for five minutes. You will also have to wait as they take small parties out to the shore at a time. Get ready to view curious otters and seals. An abundant aviary species. You can paddle to the Aquarium to the harbor. I took a leisurely three hours, but most folks are done unter two.

Photos
Adventures By The Sea
Adventures By The Sea
Adventures By The Sea - We've had some curious harbor seal pups in the bay.

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We've had some curious harbor seal pups in the bay.

Monterey History And Art Association - Emile Norman - History of Monterey

Monterey History And Art Association

3.7(18 reviews)
1.2 mi

The current exhibition is Salvador Dalí. It's a fantastic menagerie of art and history. I truly…read morethought I knew so much about his work until my recent visit. The stories of his work and inspirations had me reading every last tidbit. The black and white photos of Dalí preparing his own work were mesmerizing. I could've spent the whole day here. The whimsical arrangements throughout the rooms gave me the notion that I had stepped into a secret space that made me think differently. It's hard to describe. It was beautiful.

I found this little museum quite interesting. I love learning new things about places I visit. On…read morethe lower level, the museum focuses mostly on early settlement in the Monterey area with wide coverage of the World War II era and the entire Pacific fleet not exclusive to Monterey. On its upper level more exhibits can be found directly related to Monterey's fishing industry and the history of Cannery Row. There are two exhibits that caught my eye. The first one can be seen as soon as you walk through the doors as it is situated on the open floor between the museum's entrance and the Monterey County Visitor Information Center. The Bixby Bridge is located in nearby Carmel, CA but you can see a masterful sculpture carved out of old growth redwood by artist Michael Miller (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/8FhwlcREHuMFeNISkhSz0A?select=C8WBeFH2NGi9JdxTfwQsjQ). Take the time to observe the fine detail that the artist puts into the sculpture. It's truly a masterpiece. The second exhibit is probably the biggest item inside the museum and can be seen to the left of the museum's entrance doors and that is the huge historic Fresnel lens once housed at the Point Sur Light Station (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/8FhwlcREHuMFeNISkhSz0A?select=TvlZXZSWAjVb7Bz9ej2ICg). The highlight of the exhibit is the 580 glass prisms which makes up the lens. There is a nice assortment of information surrounding the exhibit as well as some interactive stations. The museum's collection is worthy of 5 stars, but I found some serious design flaws on several of the exhibits which detracted from my viewing experience. Simple things like accent lighting pointed directly at a glossy painting whereas the viewer can not experience the artwork but simply a burst of yellow light on glossy canvas. Several of the exhibits had a sheet of clear plexiglass protecting them which is wonderful for prolonging the life of the exhibit but it doesn't work when accent lighting and direct sunlight hits it from different directions causing a triple image because of shadowing. I found a lot of simple things just like that on both levels which were just distracting. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 AM to 5 PM. There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted and appreciated.

Photos
Monterey History And Art Association - View from Custom House Plaza

View from Custom House Plaza

Monterey History And Art Association - Jo Mora Cartes exhbit

Jo Mora Cartes exhbit

Monterey History And Art Association - Whitman Gallery

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Whitman Gallery

Monterey Bay Aquarium - aquariums - Updated May 2026

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