When we visited Aquarium of the Pacific, we expected to see a lot of pretty fish (we did). What we got was so much more. Situated on just over 5 acres, the aquarium houses over 11,000 animals comprised of over 500 different species. The vignettes they created told the story of life all they way up and down the Pacific Coast. We were enlightened, amused and immersed in the quality of this well thought out attraction. The Aquarium of the Pacific is an easily accessible way to learn about life under the sea in California for people of all ages.
Long Beach Harbor is a sprawling area that challenges the dexterity of mapping software. We have been to the Queen Mary and Catalina Express terminal and each time the navigator took us on ‘creative’ routes. No worries, it will get you there in decent time if you keep driving. These attractions are sufficiently far apart that you would park at a different location and take a different route in. That is my excuse for not giving better directions in. The Aquarium does have one great advantage over other Long Beach attractions. It has a huge parking garage with validated parking. While not free, it’s certainly a great deal.
Southern California and Baja Gallery
Once inside, we were greeted by a life-size model of a blue whale hanging from the ceiling. You can read in books just how big these creatures are, but it doesn’t register until you see them for yourself. Just past the whale we walked into the Southern California and Baja Gallery. The Blue Cavern tank dominates the scene. It has 142,000 gallons of water and rises three stories above you so you can look eye to eye at life 75’ below the surface of the water. This looked just like diving at Sea Fan Grotto including the giant sea bass and kelp forests.
As we toured this gallery, we remarked about what a great job they did capturing coastal life in Southern California. Everything we saw looked like where we have snorkeled and played here in San Diego the last few years. If you don’t have years to explore the underwater world of So Cal, you can do it here in an afternoon.
Tropical Pacific Gallery
Next, we traveled farther south to the warm, tropical waters of the Pacific. Colorful fish danced in tanks that were artwork in and of themselves. Each tank was so much more than a cage for fish. It was an underwater garden with structure, plants and a collection of animals that operated along a central theme. We were reminded of our time diving in Loreto as we toured here.
Perhaps the most spectacular animal they have is the Leafy Sea Dragon. These little critters are similar to seahorses with camouflage that would make a green barrette proud. They look just like an aquatic plant. Aquarium of the Pacific was the first location to breed these animals in captivity and has had a successful program to supply other aquariums with specimens. As a result, they have dramatically cut down on the wild capture of these precious little guys and helped preserve the wild population for future generations.
Northern Pacific Gallery
Upstairs we traveled to the Pacific Northwest. We entered that gallery through a dense bank of fog that chilled us to the bone and transported us back to when we lived in Seattle. Waves crashed against the rocks in an exhibit next to us in a rhythmic drum beat. We pushed in further and were rewarded with the strangest sights of the day. Tank after tank of jellyfish danced to their own tune. So musical in fact, that there was a computer that tracked their movements and then used it to create a soundtrack to the dance.
Past the jellies were the monsters from the deep. Freaky Japanese spider crabs and giant octopi lurked in dark and murky tanks we slowly shuffled by while we were standing in line for something that really excited us – petting tanks and sea otters. We were so excited to pet sea otters. Have you seen the “Stop Clubbing Baby Seals” or “Let’s Eat Grandma” grammar faux pas? It was something like that. There were petting tanks for starfish and anemones and 100’ down the hall there were sea otters playing in an enormous exhibit. Watched the otters playing for quite some time feeling only somewhat disappointed by our poor grasp of the English language and unrealistic imagination.
Megafauna
Sea otters weren’t the only megafauna encounter. The saw giant sharks and playful penguins. You couldn’t pet the otters but they did have petting tanks for rays and leopard sharks. We often snorkel at La Jolla Cove to play with these guys, and here, they swim right up to you to be petted. There is also walk through a lorikeet aviary. For a small donation, you can get a cup of nectar that these little guys go crazy for. Hungry birds wait at the front of the exhibit waiting for guests to bring them their treats. They will literally eat sugar straight from your hands.
Wrapping up
We found Aquarium of the Pacific to be education and immersive. Warning, it’s very kid friendly. Parents can, should and did take their kids to experience life under the sea. If you are going on a weekend (like we did), expect to have a mass of little humanity around you. In total, over 1.5 million visitors come hear every year so be ready.
Even though kids flock here in mass, this aquarium has something for everyone from a family field trip to a romantic southern California getaway. If you are an adult adventure seeker, you can find thousands of leads for future travels and relive memories of adventures past. No matter who you are, you can find something to enjoy here.
Disclaimer: Although our experience was complimentary, the views and opinions expressed are entirely our own.
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So, I love aquariums. Like really. I LOVE them. And they’re great for photography. Just look at that photo of the jellyfish. Look how photogenic that jellyfish is. And all the colorful fish. The Aquarium of the Pacific looks awesome. And petting stingrays is always a joy 🙂
They do a great job with their jelly exhibit. I am not sure that this article did it justice. You’ll have to visit and see for yourself.
I am a sucker for a good ole’ Aquarium! Thanks for the share, this place looks magical!
It’s a fun place to visit for sure. Certainly high on the Aquarium hierarchy .
I would love to hear the symphony created by the movement of the jellyfish – it must be so wonderful! I can see why all these places make for perfect family excursions.
It’s a great family excursion. My kids loved going when they were younger. They have several live feeds of tanks there and I looked for a symphony feed but alas, I think they are saving it to get people to visit. Not a bad business model actually…
Those colorful fish! It was ages ago that we have visited any aquarium…
Sounds like it’s time to go 🙂
Such beauties. My little one absolutely loves fishes and aquarium. I was wondering while going through your post how excited she would be to visit here!
They do a great job of making the exhibits interesting for little kids. There are lots of things to pet and touch, costumed divers in the tanks, birds that will eat out of your hands and all kinds of things to interact with. She would love it
Great post and I love the pictures! Awesome seeing your site evolve.
Thank you. Our site is a work in progress. We have’t made any significant site changes but I am happier with the underlying writing and photography more these days. We were going back through old posts putting in Pinterest pins and we could see the difference. We actually repressed a series of photos for Loreto because the old ones just weren’t up to snuff. Lots of fun stuff to learn blogging.
This aquarium looks amazing. My favorite display in most aquariums is probably the jellies. I love that there was music at the jellies display here. If you like jellies, one of my favorite displays is at the Ripleys Aquarium in Toronto! Would highly recommend checking it out 🙂
I was just thinking about going to Toronto… Of course, it was planned for October 2022 so it might be a little premature to make specific plans but always good to gather ideas.
Looks like a great aquarium. I love visiting aquariums and seen quite a few around the world. This one looks like it’s really well set up.
According to US City Traveler it’s the 4th best aquarium in America… http://www.uscitytraveler.com/25-best-aquariums-in-america/
Great review! Love the shot of the jellyfish – they are so beautiful. Where in California is it? I didn’t see that info when I read it!
It’s in Long Beach which is in Orange county just below Los Angeles.
Love the jellyfish shot as well- I love exploring aquariums as well- so soothing!
It could be soothing for sure watching the tanks and getting lost in them but if soothing is what you are going for you would want to plan around peak kid visits.
Aquariums are a wonderful place for parents to take their kids, but Aquarium of the Pacific seems to be on a whole new level. What an amazing collection of sea creatures they have! Is one to keep in mind for next visit to the West Coast of the USA.
Defiantly keep it in mind, especially for a West Coast US trip. It will give you an overview of the oceans you are seeing.
5 Acres is huge. I liked it the way they have the whole range of American Marine life in one place. Would love to go there.
It’s large and well laid out. America is a big country with two distinctive coasts. The west / pacific coast is drastically different than the east / Atlantic coast. In the Northern Hemisphere, the water flows counter clockwise. On the pacific side, there is cool water flowing north to south down the coast. The mountains meet the sea in many places for a rugged landscape. On the east coast, warm waters flow south to north. Souther Florida has tropical reefs and water water. Farther north, The rivers flow into the ocean in large tidewaters and barrier islands. A large city sits in almost every bay. From Cape Canaveral Florida to Washington DC you have to travel out to barrier islands to get to the beach (in general). From DC north to Boston MA is a continual metropolis (more or less). Boston to Maine has a seashore all of it’s own.
Oh, I do love visiting aquariums. I briefly lived not far from this one, but somehow missed visiting. I want to go for the jellyfish alone. That’s a very cool photo.
It’s amazing how close you could live to things and never get around to visiting. Somehow, when they are right next door, there always seems to be a next time to visit (until there isn’t)
The last time I saw such a gallery was in Singapore.
The ones you have shown have impressive creatures! Children will definitely be thrilled.
Kids of all ages would love it here.
Aquariums are great for kids and a good way to learn about all things aquatic. This one looks like it would be worth visiting while in the area. The jellyfish are so relaxing to watch.
Indeed, if you have a day in Long Beach you should check it out.
I loved spending time in Long Beach – we often walked past the aquarium but did have the chance to head in. Opted for the Queen Mary instead. Will definitely set some time aside when we visit again 🙂
I think my ideal visit to Long Beach would be to stay at the Queen Mary and venture out from there. Coming back from our cruise, I noticed that there were shuttles that ran from the Queen Mary to the Aquarium that would come in very hand for such a plan.
We visited the Monterey Aquarium earlier this year, which was cool, but this aquarium sounds just as cool. I’m intrigued to check it out, especially the freaky Japanese spider crabs.
Monterey Aquarium is world class for sure. Usually, it’s ranked higher on many lists but on this one – http://www.uscitytraveler.com/25-best-aquariums-in-america/ – Aquarium of the Pacific was ranked above it. I hope to go to Monterey soon so I can judge for myself. My kiddo goes to school just up the coast so there will be plenty of opportunities to visit.
oh my goodness, I’d love to see the jellyfish – that sounds quite amazing!
The jellies are so beautiful.
When we travel, sea aquariums are among the first things we look out for. We just love visiting them. There is always something new depending on which part of the world you are visiting. The Aquarium of the Pacific seems like a really interesting place to visit. I can just imagine how amazing the Southern California and Baja Gallery is.
It is a fascinating gallery and a great introduction to California coasts.