Aquarium of the Pacific

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is one of California's premier marine attractions, featuring over 12,000 animals across massive indoor and outdoor exhibits. Kids will be mesmerized by the three-story Blue Cavern tank, playful sea otters, jellyfish galleries, and hands-on touch pools where they can safely interact with sharks, rays, and tide pool creatures.

• ✓Interactive touch pools with bamboo sharks, rays, and sea stars
• ✓Three-story Blue Cavern exhibit with giant sea bass and moray eels
• ✓June Keyes Penguin Habitat with adorable Magellanic penguins
• ✓Tropical Reef exhibit featuring vibrant coral and exotic fish
• ✓Sea otter habitat with playful daily feedings

1. 1.Arrive right at opening (9:00 AM) to experience the touch pools before crowds gather and animals become less active.
2. 2.Download the aquarium app beforehand to catch daily feeding times and keeper talks,the sea otter and penguin feedings are especially entertaining for kids.
3. 3.Park in the official aquarium parking structure for easiest access; street parking requires longer walks with tired little ones.
4. 4.Bring a light jacket even in summer, as indoor exhibit halls are kept cool for the marine life.
5. 5.The Lorikeet Forest (seasonal) allows kids to hand-feed colorful birds for a small extra fee,bring a few extra dollars and it's worth every penny.

Weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday) are least crowded. Summer weekends and holidays get packed by midday. Visit during winter months for smaller crowds while still enjoying all exhibits, as everything is indoors and climate-controlled.

General admission runs around $40 for adults and $30 for kids 3-11 (check website for current prices and combo deals). On-site parking is $10-15. The Café Scuba serves kid-friendly meals, or you can bring your own snacks to eat in designated areas.

Open year-round with climate-controlled indoor exhibits. The outdoor Lorikeet Forest typically operates spring through fall (weather dependent). Special holiday events include Aquatic Halloween in October and Pacific Holidays in December with festive decorations and activities.

Shoreline Village is a 5-minute walk away with multiple family-friendly restaurants like King's Fish House and Parker's Lighthouse. For quick bites, the nearby Pike Outlets offers fast-casual options including In-N-Out Burger and Chipotle.