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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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

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is in a stunning location right on the water, and that alone earns it a good chunk of its stars. The setting is genuinely beautiful and worth experiencing. That said, a few things kept this from being a higher rating. Several of the larger exhibits feature a lot of overlap in the animals on display, so it started to feel repetitive after a while. I also noticed a lot of parents struggling to get their kids high enough to actually see into the exhibits -- the viewing heights just don't seem very kid-friendly. At $65 a ticket, it's a steep price for what you actually get, and then you're also prompted to make an additional donation on top of that -- it felt like a lot of upselling for an already pricey visit. Parking is another headache: there's no on-site lot, and the metered street parking out front has a strict 2-hour limit with no way to add more time. Pro tip -- we found a great parking lot on Wave and David that worked out much better than fighting for street parking. Honestly, we've greatly preferred the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach -- better exhibits, easier logistics, and a better value overall. Beautiful spot here in Monterey, but the repetitive exhibits, kid accessibility issues, cost, and parking situation bring it down to a solid 3 stars read more

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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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Visited the Monterey' Bay Aquarium after my conference was over with my son. Had a great time going from one end of the aquarium to the other as well as upstairs. Being that it was summer it was a bit crowded, but overall enjoyed looking at all the various sea life. We even did the 15 min multiply media educational movie....that was great as well! Worth visiting at least once, especially if you have kids. Every one of all ages will enjoy it. Take as long as you want enjoying the aquarium. read more

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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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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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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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What a cool place to visit! We spent a good part of our afternoon at the aquarium, and we probably could have stayed for much longer just to look at all the exhibits and signs. The staff clearly work hard to educate people and create an accessible experience for everyone. I will note that tickets are pretty expensive, but worth it when you know the money is going towards great educational places like this. It was pretty swarmed as well with people but that most likely had to do with it being a holiday weekend. read more

Lives up to all the hype. 10/10. Go early to avoid the crowds and end with seeing the otters get fed at 10:30.

This was our first time here and we really enjoyed it! We came early on a Saturday morning (on a holiday weekend) and there was already a line. Although it was busy, we didn't feel like it was overly crowded. We loved the outdoor area and even saw some otters in the ocean. Yes, admission is pricey but I think it's worth coming here at least once, especially with kids. My son who's obsessed with sea animals had an amazing time :) read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - My sea animal lover had a great time :) - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

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

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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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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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. read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

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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Had a great trip to the aquarium so much to see and do Only downside is parking is expensive and it was packed of people so it made seeing certain things harder read more

We love going to this aquarium! It is always a fun experience, the jellyfish area and the underwater area is my favorite. The food is pricy so I'd highly suggest eating before your visit unless ur fine with spending over 20$ per plate. read more

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One of the coolest experience my kid ever had. We took him to his 2nd and the 4th birthdays and he could literally remember every single exhibit. His love for otters, sting rays, octopus and jelly fishes always gets fulfilled when we visit the aquarium. It's a must visit for the kids who are experiencing aquatic creatures for the first time!! read more

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Very good aquarium for kids, 4 and under are free. Adults are $65. Parking is $20+. The open sea exhibit, otter and jelly fish is the best. Not many species of sea creatures but still worth going if you're visiting Monterey. Sea life aquarium in Seattle is much better. read more

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

My teenage daughter really wanted to come to Monterey Bay aquarium, the only day we could come was on a Sunday. We were visiting colleges in San Francisco and heading back to Los Angeles. We stopped off at Monterey. Sunday was the worst day to come. It was so packed. You couldn't see anything tons of people many children lots of strollers we understand I had a child. I know what it's like but on the weekend it was doubled the amount of people that I'm sure is during the week. Although it's a beautiful aquarium and we would've loved to enjoy it a little bit more so many people my daughter couldn't even enjoy it. And for the price, which was very costly and no discounts for students. I don't think we will be coming back to visit here for a while. read more

This place is amazing. They let you touch the fish. The people are so nice. The fish looks so happy you have plenty space. They don't just take the fish from the ocean and keep them there. Same with the birds. They take the injured bird and then if they can't live in a while, they keep them there and they help them and if they can go back to the wild, they just fix them up and then let them go back. You're some nice pictures that I got. read more

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When you think of California, you immediately think of the beaches, coastline and maybe sea animals as well. Unfortunately, I don't think we have the best aquariums to prove that (Long Beach is alright but I wouldn't go out of my way to go there, SF's is pretty small, and I haven't been to any of the SD one's), but Monterey Bay Aquarium is the best of the best! If I were to be in the area again, I would definitely visit since the last time I did was when Poke'mon Go was popping (yes this was ages ago), but the workers saw and were super excited about it. I got lots of water Poke'mon then too. It's so cool that they incorporate the actual ocean into the aquarium as well with the ocean viewing deck. Very peaceful and great to get a breath of the fresh sea air and the waves come rolling in. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to see some wildlife as well. No other aquarium, at least thus far in my life, has compared to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I loved the anchovy exhibit and just seeing them swarm around and open their mouths. Very dizzyingly beautiful. I got to watch the penguin feeding, which I love to do any time there's a chance. Kelp forest exhibit is impressive and massive. They also have so many sea otters too, super cute and very fun to see them interact with one another. The deep sea exhibit is also very unique and impressive, many species that I've only seen on nature documentaries. This goes for a lot of the bird species that they had here as well. Also, it's great that they highlight the native wildlife, keystone species, and conservation efforts made. And because I'm a large child, there's so many docents, workers, and tide pool/touch tanks, etc. to get hands on learning and just ask questions away. Definitely will visit again! read more

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! read more

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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 read more

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Maybe don't promote transgenderism to a child-centric aquarium? - Gross We used to take our kids there all the time, and we had annual family memberships. The MBA video with all the scantily-clad men with boobs on display has nothing to do with marine biology or human biology. I'll never support the aquarium again. read more

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! read more

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Phenomenal experience. The ticket is a bit pricey, but it's worth what you'll see and do at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This place truly is magical, and you can see their amazing work in animal care and preservation, while trying to teach the next generation and be environmentally friendly. Very kid-friendly- accessible door for strollers are easy to maneuver and park, and they have a nursing room, very good rest room which is a nice touch! Lots of accessible ramps doors and elevators- easy to maneuver wheelchairs if needed. It is Very crowded even on weekdays many weekends getting more busy but definitely still enjoyable! They have lots of room to be able to see the feedings they offer. I highly recommend! We Spent 2 hours to complete the tours. It Great family place to have time and create memories, friendly activity, and their animals are amazing. We enjoy our time and visiting Monterey Bay aquarium. read more

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Second time at Monterey Bay Aquarium in the span of three months! It was rather crowded on the Sunday we came the first time, so we thought coming on a weekday might be better, but it was still crowded! Regardless, it's a great aquarium with so many delightful animals to see and be mesmerized by. I especially love all the jellies and the way they're displayed is wonderful. I could literally watch them all day. This is a wonderfully educational and entertaining place for the whole family. read more

I think the aquarium is beautiful and most of the animals seem very well cared for, but I was really upset seeing how tiny the octopus tank was. Octopuses are incredibly intelligent, curious animals that naturally love to explore, hide, and move around. This tank was so small there wasn't even space for the poor octopus to properly hide, which is something they instinctively enjoy doing. One of the workers told me the octopus had just been found in the ocean the other day and placed into that tank. Imagine going from the vast, beautiful ocean to a tiny glass box overnight. It honestly made me sick to my stomach. That octopus is far too big for that enclosure. Please let him go!!!! Let him go home :( The picture doesn't do it justice by the way, the tank is a lot smaller than it looks read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

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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. read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Jellyfish. - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

One of the best aquariams I have been too. A bit pricey, but it's for a good cause. Beautiful views outside if you wanna have lunch. My favorite was the otters! read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

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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 read more

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

Once again going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium is my favorite park of visiting the City of Monetary. The aquarium is second to none. The staff and aquarium volunteers are always so polite and welcoming. The marine life exhibits are magnificent. There is so much to learn about marine life and this place is simply magical to visit. read more

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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. read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

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. read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Big Rolly Polly of the sea! - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

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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. read more

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Deep sea exhibit - Aquariums Near Me - Monterey, California

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The Monterey Aquarium was beautiful and expansive, which I would hope for given its steep admission fee. Parking was already full before opening, so we had to drive about a mile out to find free parking. Fifteen minutes before opening, the line already wrapped around the building. Coming early let us be among the first to see the exhibits, but if you arrive later the exterior line is actually shorter. The entire visit took about 1.5 hours, even with waiting in line for the larger exhibits. The food court and snack carts offered surprisingly delicious and unique treats. The bathrooms were also large and clean. One thing that stood out was that the aquarium did not feel very ADA friendly. The otters rarely went underwater and stayed mostly at the surface, yet there was no designated viewing area for guests with disabilities. The elevators were slow, stairs were everywhere, and I saw several guests in wheelchairs struggling to move through the crowds. My favorite exhibit was the jellies. The jellyfish collection was both diverse and abundant. The sea otters were hard to spot, but when they appeared they were plump and fast swimmers. The seabirds were lively, and the open air setup let us get incredibly close to them. The Kelp Forest was large but narrow, so I preferred the one in Long Beach overall. The exhibit that recreated tidal waves was entertaining and very interactive with the sea life. The aquarium features many large exhibits, while other aquariums tend to highlight smaller animals. Personally we did not spend much time there despite the high admission price. I would visit once because everything is so polished, but the collection is not as extensive as others. read more

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I've always wanted to visit Monterey Bay Aquarium and I finally got the chance to with my family. There is not a dedicated private lot for the aquarium, there are paid lots and street parking. We arrived around opening and there was a long line to get in. It took about 15 minutes. Tickets are definitely pricey. I'd say it's one and done, maybe twice and done. We went a few days after Christmas and it was pretty packed which made it a little hard to enjoy. The exhibits are pretty cool! We got to see a feeding for the deep sea fish, and there is a lot of variety. We ate at the cafeteria, a the food was actually pretty good! Just like the ticket prices, the food was expensive. I'd come back, maybe in the distant future when my daughter is older, and we get to spend more time in town. read more

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Absolutely love! Best aquarium in miles! I live closer to the SF one but this aquarium is worth the drive every single time. They update it from time to time too, so sometimes when I go it's like I'm visiting a new place. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Great cafe and store inside. Multiple levels with different learning opportunities and displays. There's also a nursing station which is a huge plus for us breastfeeding mamas & inside it there's private chairs with a tv and even bookshelf. For the toddlers, there's a play area for them which is a huge help for some of the kiddos that need to let out a little extra energy. I really love the area that you can touch and feel as well. I would recommend this place to any and everyone! read more