Monterey Bay Aquarium
Aquarium · Monterey, California
Monterey Bay Aquarium sits on Cannery Row in Monterey, in a former sardine cannery building, and opened in 1984. It is a nonprofit aquarium with a strong research and conservation focus, and many people rank it among the best in the United States. Its signature exhibits include a tall kelp forest tank, a large open sea tank with tuna and sharks, jellies, sea otters and hands-on touch pools, plus a children's area. The aquarium runs the Seafood Watch programme, which guides consumers on sustainable seafood. It suits families, couples and anyone curious about the Pacific. It is honest to say it is busy: weekends, school holidays and summer fill it, and timed or advance tickets commonly sell out, so confirm and book ahead. Plan a half day at the least, and add Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf, Point Lobos and Carmel for a full coastal trip. The ticket is not cheap, so it pays to go with a plan for the hours you will spend.
886 Cannery Row, Monterey, California, 93940, United States
Opening hours change by season and day, and the aquarium commonly opens in the morning and closes in the late afternoon, with longer days in summer and on holidays. Some exhibits and feeding programmes run at set times that vary, so confirm the daily schedule before you go. Timed or advance tickets are often needed, and weekend and holiday slots can sell out, so check the booking system for your date rather than arriving at the door. The aquarium may close for holidays or maintenance, so confirm. The best strategy is to arrive at the first opening slot or after midday on busy days, and to read the posted feeding times when you enter so you can plan your route around the exhibits you care about.
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