Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must-visit for families with kids and wildlife lovers on any trip to Monterey. Behind-the-scenes Monterey Bay Aquarium tours are a great way to learn about the inner workings of the aquarium and see areas that are normally off-limits to visitors—book tickets in advance to save time when you arrive. If you’re coming from San Francisco, consider a guided day trip that includes round-trip transportation from the city.

Monterey Bay tours typically also visit Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea or make the 17-Mile Drive. Admission includes access to shows and exhibit areas such as the Kelp Forest, Life on the Bay, and the Open Sea. The aquarium’s sea otters and giant Pacific octopuses are particularly popular.

• Most travelers spend between two and three hours here.

• On-site facilities include a café, a restaurant, a coffee bar, and free WiFi.

• Parking is available at the Cannery Row Parking Garage.

• Lockers are available for your belongings for a small fee.

• The aquarium is accessible, with free loaner wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The aquarium sits on Cannery Row, Monterey’s historic waterfront street (you may be familiar with John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name). Monterey is about 115 miles (185 kilometers) south of San Francisco and 43 miles (69 kilometers) from Santa Cruz. If you’re already in Monterey, biking to the aquarium along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is a great way to arrive, as is the free MST Trolley.

The aquarium is open daily from the morning until the late afternoon. Summer and the winter holidays are the most popular times of year to go to the aquarium—try visiting on weekdays to avoid the crowds. Fall and winter generally see fewer visitors.

A variety of tours and activities are available, most for an additional fee. These include kids’ scuba diving experiences and sleepovers, guided behind-the-scenes tours, and sea otter conservation tours.

It’s best to visit Monterey Bay Aquarium during the school week rather than on weekends. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are both good days to visit the aquarium. Both days offer the full range of shows and feedings, but get fewer crowds than during weekends and long-weekend days.

Give yourself 3–4 hours if you want to watch shows. If you just want to hit the highlights, give yourself about 90 minutes. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has around 200 exhibits spread across 175,000 square feet (16,250 square meters) of exhibition space.

Yes. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a pickup and drop-off zone, but no parking of its own. Parking is in lots and garages or at street meters, so guests always have to pay. Visitors with disabilities can park for free at metered parking provided they have an appropriate placard or license plate.

Yes. Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets are for full days, not specific time slots, but you still need to buy them in advance. You can only buy tickets online and you need a digital or printed ticket for every visitor, even young children. Aquarium members can enter without a reservation.

Yes. You can take pictures for your own personal purposes during your visit. However, the aquarium prohibits flash, tripods, and selfie sticks. Note that with all the glass at the aquarium, shooting high-quality images can be hard. Professional photographers will need written permission from the aquarium’s public relations department.

No, most travelers cannot bring their own food into the Monterey Bay Aquarium. If you’re planning a picnic and don’t have a car, eat before you visit. However, guests with medical conditions that require access to food are welcome to bring food, while there are refill stations for reusable water bottles.