Monterey Bay Aquarium

Aquarium Monterey, California, United States
Visit website

What to expect

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a renowned public aquarium located on the site of a former sardine cannery on Cannery Row in Monterey, California. It is dedicated to marine research and ocean conservation, and features interactive exhibits showcasing marine life on a grand scale. The aquarium is home to over 35,000 creatures representing more than 550 sea life and marine species, including sea otters, green sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, and ocean sunfish. Key exhibits include the Kelp Forest, the Open Sea, and the Sea Otters. The aquarium also offers a cafe with a variety of food options and has a strong focus on conservation efforts, including a program to protect sea otters and promote sustainable seafood. With its stunning exhibits and commitment to conservation, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must-visit destination for families and marine life enthusiasts

Plan your family visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium with these blog insights 👇

family travel blog favicon

36 MOST FUN things to do in California with kids in 2024

36 MOST FUN things to do in California with kids in 2024
This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the best aquariums in the world. We saw a variety of marine life, including the kelp forest, the giant open water tank, and jellyfish

Highlights: The kids loved the diverse exhibits, especially the kelp forest and the open water tank. We all enjoyed the interactive displays and the educational value ✨

family travel blog favicon

Looking for Things To Do in Monterey CA? Visit Cannery Row with Kids

Looking for Things To Do in Monterey CA? Visit Cannery Row with Kids
This family's experience:

Activities: We spent the day exploring the aquarium and learning about all sorts of marine life

Highlights: The kids loved seeing the penguins, otters, and sharks ✨

family travel blog favicon

What to do in San Francisco with family: the essentials

What to do in San Francisco with family: the essentials
This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is one of the largest and most famous aquariums in the world. The kids loved seeing the jellyfish, sharks, and other marine life. It was a great way to learn about the ocean and its inhabitants

Highlights: The kids loved seeing the jellyfish and the sharks at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They also had fun watching the sea otters play. It was a great way to spend a day learning about marine life. It was definitely a highlight of our trip! ✨

family travel blog favicon

5 Top Things To With Kids In Monterey

5 Top Things To With Kids In Monterey
This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which houses amazing sea life that our entire family loves. We saw the glowing jelly fish, tiny baby seahorses, and the wave crash window

Highlights: Our daughter’s favorite exhibition is undoubtedly the glowing jelly fish, with the tiny baby seahorses a close second. Don’t miss the wave crash window, which can entertain toddlers and preschoolers for hours ✨

family travel blog favicon

Weekend in Monterey: Best Things to Do with Kids in Monterey

Weekend in Monterey: Best Things to Do with Kids in Monterey
This family's experience:

Activities: We spent the first day of our trip exploring the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The kids especially loved seeing the sea otters, penguins, and jellyfish

Highlights: The kids loved all the exhibits and especially enjoyed learning about the conservation work being done by the aquarium ✨

family travel blog favicon

9 Incredible Family Day Trips From San Francisco

9 Incredible Family Day Trips From San Francisco
This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is home to a wealth of sea life, including sea otters, sharks, jellyfish, and more

Highlights: The kids loved seeing all the different sea creatures, and we all enjoyed the stunning views of the coastline ✨

family travel blog favicon

Top 5 Family-Friendly Vacation Spots in California to Make the Best Memories for Kids

Top 5 Family-Friendly Vacation Spots in California to Make the Best Memories for Kids
This family's experience:

Activities: We explored the wealth of sea life at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Highlights: The kids loved seeing the sea otters, sharks, and jellyfish, and we appreciated the opportunity to spot sea otters and sea lions in the kelp forest ✨

family travel blog favicon

12 Fun Things to Do in California With Kids

12 Fun Things to Do in California With Kids
This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the aquarium and saw marine mammals such as seals and otters

Highlights: Our kids enjoyed the intelligent penguin show and the life-size kelp forest ✨

family travel blog favicon

Why you should take your kids (or yourself) to the Monterey Bay Aquarium - at least once

Why you should take your kids (or yourself) to the Monterey Bay Aquarium - at least once
This family's experience:

Activities: We spent a whole afternoon wandering through the different exhibits, seeing the sea otters, kelp forest, and African penguins. We watched several educational presentations and learned about the aquarium's conservation efforts

Highlights: The aquarium was very educational and engaging for both the kids and adults. We especially loved the sea otters and the educational presentations ✨