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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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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Honestly, it is very expensive and they dont have very many animals. The aquarium in Newport, KY is better. It's in a beautiful location-which you can enjoy for free. Ok for kids, but I wouldn't go again. read more

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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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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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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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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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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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

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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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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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

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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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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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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I went alone, for my 18th birthday. Yes, it is very crowded! Look for stairs and a lot of the time theres balconies above, you will get a much better view. Expect things to cost more, as tourist filled areas like this tend to up their prices. I do recommend visiting though, Ive come here as a kid and still love it to this day. It's an amazing experience. 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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We were really looking forward to visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but unfortunately our experience was disappointing from start to finish. Just getting in was a 20-minute-long wait, and from the moment we arrived, the place felt extremely overcrowded. It honestly seemed like there was no real capacity control at all. There were so many people inside--easily over a thousand--that it felt chaotic and overwhelming. I assumed that buying tickets online would mean there was some limit to how many people could enter at a time, but that didn't seem to be the case. It made me question what the point of timed or online tickets even is if the entire city is allowed in at once. For the price--about $65 per person--it felt especially frustrating. You expect a comfortable, enjoyable experience at that cost, but instead we were constantly crammed into tight spaces, dealing with heat and crowds everywhere we went. There was also very little crowd control. People were pushing and squeezing through exhibits, and kids were running around without much supervision. At times it felt like total chaos. If a child got in front of you, suddenly the entire family would follow, blocking the view completely. It made it really hard to actually enjoy or even see the exhibits. I had always wanted to visit the aquarium at least once in my lifetime, but unfortunately this will be my last visit. Between the overcrowding, lack of organization, and overall stressful atmosphere, it just didn't feel worth it. read more

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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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 visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium on a Monday afternoon in June. It was excellent. The very large tanks with the kelp forest and the open sea were really impressive. There are of course many other smaller tanks as well. The jellyfish exhibits were amazing, the best I've seen. I have been to several other aquariums around the US and I've enjoyed them all, but some are smaller and require a specific visitor route of traffic to keep the exhibits from being overwhelmed. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is expansive and you can choose to see the exhibits in any order you would like. The aquarium's location, right on Cannery Row and right on the water is also pretty great. I spent an enjoyable two hours or so there. 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 is a very small aquarium that doesn't require more than 2-3 hours to visit. The behind-the-scenes tour is well worth the cost and enhances the experience immensely. Our tour guide Alberto was knowledgeable, professional, and top-notch. We had a wonderful experience and really appreciated that it was designed as an intimidate, interactive tour rather than a lecture-based one. read more

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I've lived in the Bay Area for 25 years now and can you believe this is my first time visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium? I honestly don't know what took me so long to get here because I love the animals that live in our ocean waters. On this occasion I was looking for something to do for my birthday and wanted to escape the heat in the East Bay. My daughter mentioned going to Monterey and thus the spark was born. I'm so happy we visited the Aquarium in Monterey. It was such an amazing experience. The jelly fish exhibit is incredible. The ginormous ocean water tank filled with beautiful animals such as sea turtles, hammer head sharks, and numerous species of fish. My two favorites were the octopus and sea otters. The ambience and architecture of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is gorgeous. I felt a great vibe the minute I stepped into the Aquarium. Definitely worth the money to visit this beautiful place. 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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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

An amazing place to visit especially with the kids. Don't miss feeding the yellow fin in the tuna tank at 11 am. The kelp forests is always a favorite as well read more

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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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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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

Went with my family of four to this aquarium on a Sunday afternoon. It was jam packed! I purchased my tickets in advance online. $60 a pop! I thought to myself, this must be better than the Long Beach Aquarium because the ticket price is more! Well, IMO, Monterey Bay fell flat for me. They had the usual exhibits fish, octopus, some birds, etc. But if I were to compare it to the Long Beach Aquarium, doesn't even come close as far as number of exhibits. LB aquarium has the Lorikeets Forest where you can go in and feed the lorikeet birds, they have penguins, sharks, manta rays, seals and sea lions, etc. Monterey bay had sea otters, manta rays, and fish and that's about it. Nice to visit Monterey bay once, but not again for the ticket price. Venture down to LB to get more bang for your buck! read more

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Super good collection of sea life of what to see. The layout was good and they packed a lot in for it being a smaller space. Great place but high cost IMO! read more

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Ah yes, Monterey Bay Aquarium. I hadnt been here since i was a kid (im 32 now) and brought my 2 and 5 year old. We had a great time and kids enjoyed all the attractions especially the otters. I recommend you get there early for prime parking! Purchase tickets ahead of time on their website. 65 a ticket, 4 and under get in free. read more

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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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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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