The grand size and scope of the Aquarium of the Pacific will wow guests of all ages and interests, from the moment you step into the lobby and see a huge whale suspended above you from the ceiling.
From the shark tank to the penguins and sea jellies, the Aquarium of the Pacific gives you a sampling of the entire Pacific Ocean in just a single visit. Check out our helpful guide for visiting this popular Long Beach aquarium, packed full of ways to save on admission, tips for visiting, other nearby attractions, and much more.
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Tips for visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific
The Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific is a wonderfully interactive learning experience for both kids and adults, especially for those who have never gotten close enough to touch amazing creatures like baby sharks and stingrays. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your visit.
- Children under 3 years old are admitted for free.
- Bring your parking ticket inside to get it validated. Little signs in the parking garage tell you to bring your parking ticket inside, so the aquarium can validate your parking. Payment machines are also separate from where you enter and exit the garage.
- The Aquarium offers baby “backpacks”, which can be borrowed free of charge at the information desk. They do not offer strollers, but you are welcome to bring your own.
- Plan your visit with the pamphlet. When you pick up your admission tickets, you'll see a display of pamphlets that offer information about the aquarium. Take a quick look through and choose the events you most want to experience.
- If you arrive later in the day, visit the interior exhibits first, and see the outside area with the shark tanks last (which is the last part of the aquarium to close for the day).
- Fill up before you arrive. Try to eat before you get to the aquarium or pack snacks. Although the aquarium does have a cafeteria, there are more affordable choices available just a few blocks away at the mall and across the street.
- Buy the feeding nectar. Touring the Lorikeet sanctuary is beautiful and awe-inspiring, but it's even better if you wander into it with a cup of nectar for the birds. The cup only costs a dollar.
- Attend one or more of the shows. The aquarium hosts several enthusiastic shows that feature local creatures like sea lions and sea otters. If you get to Malibu during your vacation, you might see those same sea lions in the wild, right off the coast!
- Don't rush to the car after your visit. The shoreline around the aquarium is a peaceful and beautiful place to walk after you visit the aquarium. When you exit, the immediate vicinity is a safe and open place to enjoy the Long Beach coastline.
The best times to visit
Arriving early and choosing a weekday for your visit is the best way to get into the parking structure quickly and see as many exhibits and shows as possible. Like many popular tourist destinations, the Aquarium is most crowded on the weekends, during the holiday season, and in the summer. On the weekends, you can beat the crowds by arriving earlier, between 9 and 10am.
On weekdays, it is a frequent destination for school field trips, which arrive in the morning, but leave by 2pm. Visiting the aquarium when it opens will give you ample time to see as much amazing aquatic life as possible, plus the opportunity to stroll around Long Beach for its picturesque views and its tourist attractions and restaurants.
What you should bring to the Aquarium of the Pacific
The aquarium is an experience that's both exciting and relaxing. You'll get to touch sea creatures like sharks, but you'll also get to wander by mesmerizing tanks of aquatic life. Here are a few items you might want to bring to the aquarium.
- Part of the aquarium is outside, so you may want to bring some sunblock and a hat.
- A good pair of walking shoes is a must when you're visiting an attraction where you walk all over the property to see the exhibits.
- To stay comfortable whether you're outside or inside, dress in layers like a true SoCal local. Wear a t-shirt and a light sweatshirt and add a light coat if you're visiting during the winter, and expect chilly temperatures outside.
- Bring a camera to take advantage of some incredible photo ops with the family and snap pictures of remarkable creatures. Consider programming your camera to accommodate low-light conditions to get the best photographs of the tanks without flash.
What to do there
The Aquarium's exhibits span three main regions of the vast Pacific Ocean. There's the temperate waters of SoCal and Baja; the icy Northern Pacific, off the coasts of Alaska, Russia, and Japan; and the warm Tropical Pacific, featuring the colorful coral reefs of Palau.
The aquarium regularly introduces new exhibits as well as seasonal shows, plus the Aquarium makes minor changes to many ongoing exhibits and programs throughout the seasons, adding new aquatic life or mammals. Here are a few that highly recommend checking out...
- The Penguin Habitat - Designed to offer guests a personal and close-up view of penguins, the exhibit is one of the best ways to see Magellanic Penguins. The habitat features educational panels and interactive touch screens, where visitors can find out about issues affecting penguins' survival.
- The Sea Jellies Tank - Did you know that sea jellies (or jellyfish, as they're often known) don't have a heart, brain, or lungs? Learn all about these ancient and beautiful creatures at the incredible jellies tank.
- The Shark Lagoon - An educational adventure that features a 10,000-sqft tank showcasing large sharks and rays. You can also explore the two touch pools where visitors can reach in and feel smaller sharks.
- The Tropical Pacific Gallery - Over a dozen exhibits make up the Tropical Pacific Gallery, and you'll see an incredible array of life, including sea horses, reef sharks, and puffers. Attend the feeding presentation if your visit coincides with the performance.
- The Northern Pacific Gallery - Just as the tropical gallery features animals from the South Pacific, the Northern Pacific Gallery shows you what life is like around the Bering Sea in the north. You'll want to see the giant Pacific octopus in this gallery.
- The Southern California Exhibit - The animals that mainly live along the West Coast of the United States and Mexico are on display here. The area features an incredible 142,000-gallon exhibit that stands a massive three stories tall.
- The Lorikeet Forest - A walk-through aviary filled with dozens of Australian lorikeets. Visitors can purchase a cup of nectar to feed these friendly birds that will land on your hand, arm, or even your head to get a sip.
Remember to examine your pamphlet to see if there are any special temporary or seasonal events. The aquarium also houses an animal care center and an ocean science center for educational visits. Learn about sustainability and our planet's future at the "Pathway to the Pacific" exhibit.
Nearby attractions in Long Beach
The Aquarium of the Pacific is close to many other places in Long Beach that you may want to explore during your vacation. Numerous shops and restaurants are within walking distance, and there are many fun activities within a few miles of the aquarium. Here are a few that you may want to consider visiting...
- The Queen Mary - First launched in 1936, the Queen Mary was an English luxury liner that once carried famous Hollywood celebrities and boasted speed records for crossing the Atlantic. Today, the ship sits permanently in Long Beach as a popular tourist destination.
- Battleship IOWA Museum - The only battleship museum on the West Coast and an important piece of American history. Experience what life at sea was like for sailors, and see what technology was used when the ship was built in the 1940s.
- Harbor Cruise of Whale Watch in Long Beach - Get out on the water and see wondering marine life like whales and dolphins, right off the coast.
Places to eat near the aquarium
With the walking you'll do around the Aquarium of the Pacific, your family will absolutely work up an appetite. The convenient parking garage means there's no searching for a place to park after you visit the aquarium.
Many well-known restaurants sit within a block or two of the aquarium, and it's easy to find a place to relax and eat after you complete your tour. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is right next to the aquarium, and you can find more fish at Gladstone's Long Beach, which is a few blocks north of the aquarium at the mall.
The mall also has P.F. Chang's, Famous Dave's (burgers and fries), and Tokyo Wako (sushi). You can also find the Outback Steakhouse and the Yard House nearby along the water.
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