One of the best Aquariums I have had the pleasure of visiting. To come from you, we can figure out what works for you. And I'd like that to be the top priority, and then we can make sure that everyone else read more

Such an amazing aquarium we visited on our vacation! There was a lot to see and we spent hours exploring. Was worth every minute. Don't walk... RUN to this aquarium if you're in the area! read more

Came back recently and two things stood out. The ham and cheese at the cafe is amazing! Very crispy and delicious but it is $14 bucks for a croissant which is outlandish but worth. Probably the best ham and cheese I've had. You also get 10% off at the cafes with an EBT card :) The rays at the touch pool did not want to be touched lol so they kinda congregated in a corner and try swimming on the rocks. Highkey a vibe I suppose. read more

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I love that the Monterey Bay Aquarium exists. I love its apparent ethos--rooted in conservation and education--and I find the execution quite strong in practice. I love the idea of volunteering there some day. And I find the single-entry pricing a little obnoxious, even as I'm aware it doesn't reflect the overall cost to run the aquarium and its various educational and research activities, i.e. the overall cost is heavily subsidized. Similarly, I find the food court simultaneously quite good and the pricing a little steep, and the lack of better kid options disappointing for such a family-oriented place. If I want a plain hamburger for my kid, the only option is the spendy adult one, and it still doesn't come with fries. And on a busy weekend, it's best avoided, the crowds get intense. Frankly, it can feel a bit overcrowded on a standard week day, too. read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Salmon poke bowl, nicely executed - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

The aquarium is quite large and has tons of live exhibits from jellyfish, octopuses, birds, sharks, stingrays, fish, and other cool creatures. There are also a bunch of interactive exhibits where kids can touch and feel different things. The otter exhibit is awesome to watch and a must do. The staff members are really knowledgeable and super helpful. There is also a theater that shows different shows. Spend a few hours and really enjoy all that the aquarium has to offer. Definitely a must-do when you're in Monterey. read more

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This is a very well known aquarium that would fit in much larger cities but resides here in beautiful Monterey. There are 75 exhibits and many are indoor and in low light for the benefit of the aquatics. They have several very large tanks viewed through two story tall windows that can also be viewed from outside. The interior consists of two stories in air conditioned comfort. Outside they have excellent views of the Bay along with a great tide pool that also allows kiddos to don wetsuits and practice snorkeling with instructors in the protected shallow tide pool. This looked to be very popular but requires extra cost, of course. Also outside are telescopes to view wildlife in the Bay. This aquarium is always crowded so the best time to arrive is always earlier in the day. I would recommend budgeting at least 2 hours here. Also to save money on expensive garage parking drive on Hoffman Street and look for metered street parking which was costing only $2 per hour. It's a short 2 block walk from the aquarium. My only negative to coming here is the admission price. $65 for an adult and $50 for kids. California pricing for sure! read more

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Great visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium yesterday with family. When we visit, we typically like to visit during the weekdays versus the weekends as it can get pretty busy. Our Friday visit was a breeze as we arrived shortly after it opened and the number of visitors was much lower making it easy to move about the aquarium. The aquarium is very well kept and maintained, the staff is very helpful and the volunteers take pride in providing good service in answering questions and providing assistance. The exhibits are top notch and some of the best I have ever seen. Our favorites are the deep sea, jellyfish, and kelp exhibits - phenomenal! So glad this aquarium is close and we can visit every few years and offer it to family and visitors when they attend! read more

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It's our 2nd time to visit Monterey Bay Aquarium and it didn't disappoint. Since it's our 2nd time already, we didn't take as long to go around the place anymore. This time, we saw the feeding of the fish and the birds that can swim. There were a lot of interactive play things for toddlers and kids. You can also touch some algaes. This is a great place to visit specially if you have kids. Just beware that there will be a lot of small kids when visiting. read more

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The $65 entry pained me, but honestly so worth it. There was so much so see -- I was there for almost 3 hours. Great date idea!

We had such a great time at Monterey Bay Aquarium! The aquarium is absolutely beautiful, and there is so much to see. We especially loved the jellyfish, the huge fish in the massive tanks, and the incredible ocean exhibits. One of my favorite areas was the immersive display where you can stand behind the glass with water flowing above you -- it feels like you're right inside the ocean! And here's a great tip if you have a SNAP/CalFresh EBT card: the Aquarium participates in the Museums for All program. You can visit for FREE with a valid EBT card and matching photo ID, and the benefit includes up to 3 additional guests. Even better -- there is NO limit on how many times you can use this benefit. So yes, you can come back again and again! You also get 10% off at the Aquarium Café. The café is surprisingly large, and we really enjoyed the food -- lots of fresh, healthy options and a great place to take a break during your visit. We visited on a Monday and it was still quite busy, but honestly, the exhibits were so impressive that the crowds didn't stop us from enjoying the experience. Definitely a place we would love to visit again! read more

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I hadn't been here since I was a teenager, but recently returned with my family! First, we found street parking a few blocks away and saved $15 by parking there and not in the designated lot. Second, the line is super long but moves quickly. Third, there is so much to see! The sea otters were adorable, and the jellyfish mesmerized us. I also found the "in the deep" section very memorable and educational. In addition to animals, there is also a small art gallery and a much needed corner dedicated to the harms of plastic pollution. Additionally, everything was clean! While we had a delightful time enjoying all the sights, the high volume of foot traffic made it difficult to not be slightly stressed at all times (stressed as in always looking around to not step in someone else's view, not lose something etc). I walked out so exhausted as if I had just spent three hours in Times Square. It would be nice if MBA were more like Filoli in that they limited the number of people entering during each hour, especially considering the cost of tickets. I would come back, but not for a while. read more

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It's been over 20 years since I last visited this place. It has grown significantly. There are so many things to see and there's a nice café inside with pretty good food. A little pricey, but good. One of my favorite parts of this aquarium is all of the jellyfish they have and a cool octopus. If you want to take it all in and enjoy it, get there early and take your time. We spent over 4 hours in there. I highly recommend. read more

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We love the Monterey Bay Aquarium and have been coming here with our family for decades! They have so many hands on areas for the little ones to run and play and touch and the aquarium has so many wonderful and amazing creatures. The customer service is always great and everything is very clean. It can get very crowded during the busier season (summer, holidays) so go on a weekday if possible to avoid peak. The membership is worth it! read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Kelp Forrest - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

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Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey August 2026 Monterey Bay Aquarium is such a great and fun experience with the kids! I've been here many times and my family decided to come here at the last minute. The weekends are usually busy so be prepared. We packed snacks and enjoy the views in the back deck. The staffs are awesome and helpful. The animals are awesome as well. We came here to see the jellyfishes, sea otters and the sharks. I noticed that the Ocean Sea aquarium doesn't have the sun fish, mola- mola anymore when I was there. One of my favorite sea creatures. What's new? I noticed there was an "All gender, multi-user restroom" on the 2nd floor, near the Kelp Forest. I liked that they have this cause sometimes there's long lines at the women's restrooms, which I ended up using afterward. There wasn't a line here. According to the map, there's another "All gender, multi-user restroom" on the 2nd floor, near the Open Sea with the Soaring with Seabirds. When we were there, someone on the first floor did a proposal in front of the Kelp Forest with the scuba divers there. I didn't know since I was on the second floor but heard clapping. Make sure to get invisible stamps near the exit if you wanted to go out to get a quick bite and go back to the aquarium. The prices are: Adult (18-69): $65 Senior (7+): $50 Youth (5-17): $50 4 and under: Free Currently, they are part of the Museums4All. Highly recommended to go early as possible. When we left, there was a huge line outside the entrance. Definitely would come back. read more

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Fun and engaging day at the aquarium. We arrived early and made plans to visit the feedings as a priority. First the sea otters, then open sea followed by the kelp forest. What great experiences and ways to see the wildlife in action. It had been years since visiting so this was a great refreshment. Plus it seems like this place is always renovating and rotating new exhibits. Some of my favorites were the sea otters, open/deep sea exhibit, and the jellyfish. read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

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Damn, the last time I was here was 10-years ago?! This place still (kind of) holds up, but it is showing its age and the price leaves something to be desired. This was my kid's first trip and at first they were infatuated. They loved the jellyfish section, the kelp forest, and the otters (of course), but after a while I could they were getting restless. There's only some much fish watching kids, in a 2026 world, can do before they get bored. I'd love to see the aquarium offer more hands on activities or demo for the kids. As an adult, I love walking around and taking my time at the exhibits, but that's almost impossible with small children. All of us did enjoy their new exhibit "Into The Deep" which did offer a few hands on activities and a up close look at some truly unique and still unnamed creatures. You can get through the aquarium pretty quick because most of the attractions are just looking and walking. We got here around 9:30 am and wrapped around 1pm... which is why I feel like the ticket prices need to be adjusted. We paid about $265 w/ tax for four tickets and only spent 3+ hours here. We paid that same amount for Universal Studios, but it covered two days worth of rides and activations for four people. Either add more activities or lower the prices, because justifying close to $300 for a few hours is tough these days. read more

This aquarium is nice! I appreciate it and so does the rest of the family though the cost is $60+ per person has a lot left to be desired . We had recent went to the Osaka aquarium and it was $20/person. The biggest crime is the food. I paid $60 for a fish dish which smelled and tasted fishy and clam chowder in a bread bowl. Be sure to eat before coming! read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - I think there was beer too for this $60 meal! - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

I had high expectations, especially with the admission price, but I enjoyed my visit and what's more important... my family had a great time as well. Lots to see, and yes it can be crowded. Even on a Monday when we went. Parking was easy in the nearby structure, short walk but there was a line to get in even though. it had just opened their doors not that long ago. Fortunately, it moved fairly quickly and once we were in the building, our gratitude and excitement were built up even more. My favorite were the sea otters. Got to see them get fed and also saw a few out in the ocean from outside. The dome with the wave crashing over it was also a highlight. We watched 2 movies in the auditorium, nice break to sit down and maybe nap a little for the tired parents. The on-screen trivia was fun instead of just a slideshow of pictures. I like how it was narrated by a live person, although one we had was not as good as the other. I also appreciated the bilingual signs everywhere, I was learning about marine life in both English and some Spanish :) read more

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Worth a visit if you're in the area - truly an impressive space, so much to see and do. I love how this aquarium is set right in the bay, there's both an outdoor and underwater area to view it, and the option to add on experiences to get in the water. That being said, it's quite pricey to visit at $65/adult. That being said, you could spent most of a morning or afternoon here. The most impressive parts for me were the massive open ocean and kelp forest tanks, several jellyfish tanks, the pacific octopus (they have two), and the immersive "diner" exhibit that explicitly discusses seafood - farmed vs wild, what fish to avoid, safecatch options to make better choices, etc. Really I could spend half an hour just gazing into the larger tanks. We timed our visit well to be able to catch the morning otter feeding, and the staff were great about discussing the animals and taking questions - bonus points for having a bilingual format (English and Spanish). Look up their schedules ahead of time if there's anything you know you want to see - and heads up, this place is always busy, expect a long line at opening. You might have a better experience waiting til late morning or early afternoon when families leave for lunch or naptime. There is a cafe/restaurant on site and yes they do serve seafood. As a parent, I do appreciate that we are not required to drag our kids through the gift shop to leave. You can also get your hand stamped to leave and return later in the day! read more

I don't remember the last time I was here. I honestly would say decades ago and I came on a school field trip. I decided to take the day trip to the aquarium with my little family. The drive wasn't so bad especially with a toddler. He did so good. GPS took us exactly there and got lucky with a nearby parking. Be prepared for the crowds and long line. We didn't wait that long because we got there as soon as it open. If you receive EBT, you do get 4 free tickets and kids under 3 get in for free. You just need the card and a matching photo ID on hand. BTW, strollers are prohibited in main entrance of exhibits. They do have an area to park it before entering which is totally understandable because there's so many visitors! There was so much sightseeing to do too from the jellyfish displays, cute sea otters, to the open sea it reminded me of the Disney movie "Finding Dory." There's also a museum in there that tells the history about canned fish and how famous it got in Monterey, Ca. Lots of physical activities for the kids to do from touching string rays and sea urchins. You can tell the staffs are incredibly passionate about their work and how happy they are to share their knowledge about the marine life and ecosystem. It's definitely an amazing experience to explore it all! So beautiful so cool, must visit! read more

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Came here during the week and it was a different experience. Got a chance to see alot of the animal feedings and learn more about them. Place was not as crowded as most people are working and kids are in school. Now that we have a little one joining us on this trip, she was able to run around and explore all the kid friendly places. Love that for her! My favorite was the shark feeding, the tide pool stimulator and the find the animal light up board. Since my daughter is only 2 we didnt do much of the touch pools since she still puts her hand in her mouth any chance she gets lol. Food here is very expensive so best to bring snacks and eat when you leave but overall great experience. You can spend a good 4-5 hours just exploring and reading about all the animals, good change of pace for a normal work week. read more

Visited the aquarium with family. This is my second time during my conscious memory. I took a look through some of the reviews here, mostly of which complain about how crowded it is. Granted, but there's a reason why this is so packed, and frankly, even though it is packed, this place is actually still quite enjoyable to visit and see everything, well within a few hours. If y'all want a less crowded museum where you can hear your own thoughts, there are plenty of other places, but this is the top level of aquariums for sure. Second knock in the reviews is the ticket price. Also granted, but you have in and out privileges, so you don't have to fork over more for the in-aquarium food, and you can spend as much time as you'd like deeply introspecting in front of the Open Sea exhibit. Plus if I'm going to spend this much, I'd rather give it to an aquarium and a research organization that's top of their class in their research and conservation efforts. All that being said, even on revisits this museum still holds up. Exhibit quality, thoroughness of informational learning opportunities, even the caliber of their volunteer docents is unmatched. Great views of the Monterey Bay too from the various balconies on a nice day. Low-key I'd be happy to even just stay in the auditorium for the entire day and watch their films which alone are good stuff. A must visit for sure, even with the crowds. Definitely plan ahead, but don't skip out. read more

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The Monterey Bay Aquarium is such a big attraction on Cannery Row. We went on a Tuesday during summer. I really think with the massive amounts of people that were inside, it would be better if the aquarium did tickets for blocks of time or something along those lines. To elaborate, it was very crowded in the exhibit areas. Mass amounts of people were cutting in front of others to get to the front. It was disappointing. At some points, it was hard to even walk anywhere, and it made me think about the safety and exit areas if an emergency were to happen. With all of this, it was truly difficult to enjoy as I felt like we couldn't really see what we wanted to see, and with the wait times and not wanting to take too long for others to see, it wasn't the best. Furthermore, a staff member named Lisa was very helpful and knowledgeable. She took the time to give us some information about where to go and how to navigate. My favorite part was the otter exhibit. They were so cute and fun to watch. Overall, if you're thinking about going, I would go as early in the day as possible to potentially beat the crowds. read more

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*this review is only for yoga at the aquarium* I truly loved my experience with doing yoga here! I parked in a parking garage nearby that was only $5 after a certain time. They offer two classes at 6 PM and 7 PM. It seems to be every other Sunday and only on Sundays. I highly recommend getting there early. You have a form to fill out then get checked in. There's some time to explore a portion of the aquarium and use the restroom. The yoga class itself was very beginner friendly. It was extremely calming. The class is $60 for an hour yoga session. I truly loved my experience and would highly suggest it to others. read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Yoga at the aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is hands down the best aquarium I have ever been to. The aquarium is extremely large. Addmission is pricey but oh so worth it! Parking can be difficult to find, I recommend parking in one of several parking structures for a fee. Monterey Bay aquarium has so many exhibits! There is so much to see, do and learn at this aquarium! When you enter the aquarium you can view the schedule for the day so you can plan your visit. We can easily spend an entire day here. They have great gift shops, a great dining area with a variety of food options. The restaurant comes with an ocean view depending on where you sit. It can get pretty busy & loud from children. I'd recommend coming on off peak times so you can enjoy it more. If you are lucky to visit Monterey, you definitely should visit this aquarium. read more

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COULD and DID spend hours at this awesome aquarium. I was fortunate enough to get a behind the scenes tour of the place, and saw all the work that goes into making this aquarium a world class facility. Love all the work that goes into seafood watch. I'll be using that as my new bible when ordering seafood. So so much cool information all around the aquarium, from art to history to plenty of different fishes. Will never forget this spot. Definitely worth it while visiting the area read more

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What a waste of time and money. $65 per adult for less than 1 hour of ability to walk around and see anything. It is excessively crowded and congested. It makes taking your kid there a chore. It's meant to be family fun and it was horrible. We barely saw anything and you'll get so exhausted with the crowd you leave before you even get a chance. Either make it affordable so for the quick ins and outs or get capacity limit to allow people to empty the place. read more

Large beautiful aquarium in Monterey at the cannery row. Tickets are free for age 4 and under and $65 per adult. Plan to set at least half a day aside as it is large, gets crowded and there is a lot to see, it's laid out in a manner which is fairly easy to navigate but plan on long wait times for any bathroom needs especially since you may be coming with a child. They give a map out which is helpful to navigate the aquarium. They have touch pools but only hand sanitizer and not a sink to cleanse the hands after touching the sea-life. You can also use a self service stamp to come back the same day if you want to go out and come back. My favorite parts were the open sea, jellies and seabirds (I especially like the puffins). read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Crab - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

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Had fun exploring Monterey back in April, and while killing time we decided to stop by the Monterey Bay Aquarium for a couple of hours. This is a multi-level aquarium with an outdoors section, art installations, and interactive exhibits. It's a fun way to kill time, see your favorite marine life buddies, and learn more about the ocean In terms of aquariums I can be a little hard to please in that I've been fortunate to have gone to many around the world, but this one is a particularly nice one. We did go on a weekend and it was during the Bug Sur marathon, so, I expect it was busier than most times Some things I didn't love were just how crowded it was. We waited in a long queue just to get in. While inside it felt like you were in a school of tuna and you couldn't enjoy the views peacefully. It was also especially difficult to find parking Some things I did like were the collections of beautiful sea life. I think they did a great job of displaying and showcasing each exhibit. They have one of my favorite aquarium features, and that's where you can pet sting rays. Also, the kelp Forrest, the open sea exhibit, and the rescued otter habitats are incredible If you're in the area, you should definitely check it out! Some tips: If you're an aquarium enthusiasts I would definitely check out the Atlanta Aquarium. This is one of my absolute favorites. One of my favorite past times is just sitting in the viewing area and watching a few whale sharks and other marine life swim past the glass Also, we went to Point Lobos (in the general area) for a mini hike, and we saw many seals, various groups of sea otters, and plenty of flora and fauna There's some great history and museums in this general area. You can also find great sea food for lunch or dinner in the area. Note: the food and drinks at the aquarium are quite pricey. I had a tall boy beer that was close to $15 Cheers!! read more

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This was my first time at the Monterey aquarium and I had a great time. We came on Memorial weekend on Saturday, luckily had guest passes so we got in for free and we got to skip the long line. There is street parking but there was garage parking that is in walking distance. We parked at the San Carlos parking garage which was $22. When you walk in immediately there's a gift shops on the right and an information desk with the paper map. There are two levels to the aquarium. We started from the right side and worked our way to the left. They have different exhibits of fishes, sharks, kelp, and birds. They had different areas where you can touch the algae and kelp. There were other places where it opens for a view points. I like how this place has a back area where it's open to see the sea lions from the shore. They also had a sea otter feeding show. There were employees and volunteers who had information about their section of the animals. I liked the interactive food kitchen and a big tank where we got to see the scuba diver feed the fishes. We spent about 1.5-2 hours seeing everything. The place is very fun for families and kids. They also have a few small restaurants and cafes. It's very pretty to admire and take the time to learn more about the aquatic animals. I do think this aquarium is a bit on the smaller side even though it's very popular tourist attraction. I got a magnet from the gift shop that was $6. I would definitely recommend anyone to come to place at least once. read more

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For some reason, it didn't upload all the photos and video. So, here it goes again. LOL!!! The Monterey Bay Aquarium is definitely worth checking out at least once in your lifetime. It's one of the better aquariums I've been to. You can definitely make a day of it. There are a ton of things to do in the Monterey area. There are a lot of great restaurants in the area. Plus, Carmel isn't that far away. read more

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Still one of the best aquariums in the country. I haven't been here for a while and they now have a cafe with many food options. You can book your tickets online and keep them in your digital wallet for fast entry. I recommend getting there in the morning near opening it gets very crowded. Most recently we took our niece and it was a fun visit. read more

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Outstanding! I went on a Wednesday morning right when they opened but it was packed fairly quickly. I spent about 2.5 hours browsing. You could easily spend about 4 hours here with children in tow. It's a non-profit, which is amazing. Staff members are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Great site to see on Cannery Row. read more

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I used to work in the area, so one day I had a short day then decided to come visit since I hadn't gone in so many years. It was just how I remembered it in my youth, but I think I appreciate it more now because I now love animals more than I ever have before. I love the sea otters! They're so cute and I could watch them for hours! read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

Cool place to come and explore! It's one of the best aquariums situated in a quaint little town. Beautiful and interactive displays for the whole family! read more

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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. read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

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This summer my daughters (7 and 17 )and I were able to visit this marvelous Aquarium. I remember coming here for a field trip when I was in second grade myself. I lived much closer three decades ago. The infrastructure and exhibits have been updated for sure. This marvelous aquarium did not disappoint. So many things to see and do. They had a cafe and gift-shops inside. Despite their age gap, both were able to enjoy the experience and saw intriguing animals. Probably more so my younger child. We spent about 2.5 hours just exploring. If your child has any interest in ocean biology and sea creatures they will love it !! Lots to explore near by too. read more

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I have been a long time fan of the aquarium. Only get to visit every couple of years but it's always been one of my favorite places to be. The weather is amazing, the views are immaculate, and the sea creatures are just breathtaking. Prices have definitely increased in the past few years but it is worth it to check out and go at least once. Take your time at each exhibit and really immerse yourself and relax. There's timed feedings for a few exhibits but my favorite is always the kelp forest feeding and learning about all the sea life that is around us. So amazed by everything here. Parking is either metered on the street or various lots around. read more

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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 read more

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Drove from Bakersfield to Monterey to take our toddlers to visit and have to say it was worth the drive. I honestly didn't expect for them to have as much fun as they did viewing sea creatures, but they absolutely loved it. I'd say their favorite attractions were probably the sharks and jellyfish. The staff was great minus one individual in particular. I do have to say though, stay away from the food. Very plain with Disneyland prices. Other than that, I'm sure we'll be back soon. read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Our toddlers absolutely loved the aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California