The Aquarium of the Pacificin Long Beach, California was voted by Parents.com as one of the 10 best aquariums for kids due to its extensive opportunities for children (and adults) to participate interactively in the learning experience. The distinctive wave-shaped roof of the Aquarium has been a landmark on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach since 1998 ( no, NOT the round building with the whale mural - that's the Sports Arena).
The Aquarium of the Pacific focuses on the marine life of the Pacific Ocean with over 12,500 specimens from 550 species in 156,000 square feet of exhibit space. And while it doesn't take you beneath our local waters, it does re-create the various undersea environments of the Pacific in exhibit tanks above ground.
There's no "spectacle," but various birds, seals, and sea lions do perform, and kids are welcome to touch all sorts of creatures from sea urchins to zebra sharks. For bigger kids and adults, there are also some really cool behind-the-scenes tours and opportunities to interact with the animals.
Daily handouts tell you when the scuba diver will be doing presentations from the Blue Cavern or Tropical Pacific Gallery and what other activities are scheduled.
If you're not one to read all the interpretive panels, an adult can cover the public areas of the Aquarium in an hour. If you see a few shows or pay extra for tours, films or other activities, you can extend that a few hours.
With kids, you could spend 2 hours or all day to have plenty of time for staring transfixed at the jellies, watching the sea lions and other shows and touching all the touchables.
There are often themed festivals and special weekend events at the Aquarium of the Pacific that include additional entertainment and family activities.
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Aquarium of the Pacific
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Phone: (562) 590-3100 (562) 590-3100
Hours: 9 am - 6 pm daily except Dec 25 and Long Beach Grand Prix weekend. The Watershed Exhibit is limited to school groups before 1 pm on weekdays.
Ticket Prices: $29.95 Adults, $26.95 Seniors (62+), $17.95 Children 3-11 (check Goldstar.com for discount weekday tickets). See page 8 for more discount ticket options.
Timed Tickets: During high season, you may have to buy a timed ticket to avoid overcrowding.
Parking: There is a fee for parking at the Aquarium or anywhere near the Aquarium. There is discounted parking in the Aquarium parking structure with validation.
Public Transportation: The Metro Blue Line stops a few blocks north of the Aquarium at the Long Beach Transit Mall. You can walk from there or take the Free red Passport Bus C that will drop you right in front of the Aquarium.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is located in Long Beach near the end of the 710 Freeway. It is on the waterfront at Rainbow Harbor on Aquarium Way, off Shoreline Drive just across the Cyclone pedestrian bridge from The Pike entertainment complex and the Long Beach Convention Center. It is a short walk around Rainbow Harbor from the shops and restaurants at Shoreline Village.
Harbor Tours, Whale Watching and Dolphin and Sea Life Cruises depart from the Rainbow Harbor near the Aquarium.
This information was accurate at the time of publication. Please check the Aquarium website at www.aquariumofpacific.orgfor the most current information.
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Aquarium Exhibits
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The Aquarium of the Pacific has over 30 exhibits in 19 major habitats.
The Southern California/Baja Exhibit includes the three-story 142,000 gallon Blue Cavern in the Great Hall, the 211,000 gallon indoor/outdoor Seal and Sea Lion Habitat, the Sea of Cortez gallery, the Ray Touch Pool, Shorebird Sanctuary and Wetlands exhibits and more.
The Northern Pacific Gallery - Highlights include sea jellies, sea otters, and the giant Pacific octopus as well as diving birds like puffins and auklets.
The Tropical Pacific Gallery with its Tropical Reef Habitat is the largest exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific with over 1000 colorful fish in 350,000 gallons of water that can be seen from three viewing locations. In addition to the diverse coral, kids will love the weedy sea dragon and Nemo and his clownfish friends.The latest addition is the frog exhibit.
The Gulf of California Exhibit includes garden eels, balloonfish, Mexican lookdowns, Cortez rainbow wrasses, Cortez angelfish, yellowtail surgeonfish, and king angelfish along with information on how activities in Southern California affect what happens in the Gulf.
The June Keyes Penguin Habitat lets you get nose to nose with a host of Magellanic Penguins.
The Ocean Exploration Gallery presents the history of ocean exploration and discovery through photos, videos, art, films and special underwater exhibits.
The Ocean Science Center features a variety of multimedia exhibits projected on a giant sphere to show the changes on the earth in various conditions.
Explorer's Cove is an outdoor interactive exhibit space that includes the Shark Lagoon, the Lorikeet Forest, the Marine Life Theater and outdoor access to the Seal and Sea Lion Exhibit and the Penguin Exhibit.
Shark Lagoon features 150 sharks you can touch and a few you can't.
The Lorikeet Forest includes over 100 colorful rainbow lorikeets that you can feed with tiny cups of nectar.
Beyond Explorer's Cove is the Our Watersheds: Pathway to the Pacific Exhibit including a California native plant garden and educational displays.
The Southern California Steelhead Story near the Watershed Exhibit tells the story of the importance of the species in the Southern California ecosystem.
The Molina Animal Care Center, a fully equipped veterinary hospital, opened in 2010, gives visitors a chance to observe veterinarians examining and treating aquarium or rescued sea animals brought to the aquarium. Interactive kiosks teach children about the work of the clinic when there is no actual activity taking place. The horseshoe crab touch pool and coral and sponge exhibit are located at the Animal Care Center.
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Aquarium of the Pacific Shows and Films
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Free Live Shows (included in admission)
Blue Cavern Dive - interact with divers in the 3-story tank in the Great Hall
Tropical Reef Dive - learn from divers surrounded by colorful fish inside the Aquarium's biggest tank
Sea Otters - learn about caring for sea otters
Seals and Sea Lions - watch staff care for and interact with seals and sea lions
Sharks - learn how the Aquarium cares for its sharks
Children's Programs - Interactive programs for kids in the Marine Life Theatre outside off the Explorer's Cove
Animal Care: routine animal checkups in the Molina Animal Care Center
Animal Meet and Greet - in the Molina Animal Care Center
Great Hall Films (included in admission)
Several times a day, shades come down to darken the Great Hall of the Pacific and films are projected on eight screens high on the walls.
Honda Theatre Films (10-12 minutes each) vary with new exhibits.
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Aquarium of the Pacific Tours and Classes
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The printed Visitors Guide provides a self-guided tour of the highlights of the Aquarium and stations where kids can have the guide stamped as they go.
Self-Guided MP3 Audio Tours can be downloaded from the website.
Guided tours of the Aquarium require a reservation and separate fee. Some tours require reservations at least a week in advance; others can be booked the same day. The daily schedule lists that day's available tours.
Behind the Scene Tour - Provides a sneak peek at the daily operations of the Aquarium, taking guests into the "wet" areas and above the tanks. Children must be7 and up, under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Animal Encounters Tour - Two-hour experiences where guests get to learn about taking care of the animals and watch or participate in food preparation and feeding. Options include Sea Otters, Seals, and Sea Lions, or Sharks.
Aquarium Adventures - A variety of special subject classes are offered for toddlers and pre-schoolers with their parents, school-age kids, and teens.
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Special Programs at the Aquarium of the Pacific
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The Aquarium of the Pacific offers a variety of special programs for children, families and adults from Aqua Tots activities for 2 and 3-year-olds, to family sleepovers, teen job shadowing and adult cocktail parties. Special programs are scheduled months in advance so check to see what may be on the calendar during your visit.
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Annual Festivals at the Aquarium of the Pacific
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The Aquarium of the Pacific hosts one or more themed festivals almost every month of the year. Some take place completely inside the Aquarium. Others spread out onto the lawn and around Rainbow Harbor. Festivals are usually included in the Aquarium admission price, and some outdoor activities may not require Aquarium admission.
January - Festival of Human Abilities
February - African Heritage Festival
April - Earth Day Celebration
April - International Children's Day Celebration
May - Urban Ocean Festival
June - Pacific Islander Day
September - Baja Splash Cultural Festival
September - Moompetam: Celebrating Coastal Native Americans
October - Southeast Asia Day
October - Scarium of the Pacific
November - Autumn Festival
December - Holiday Treats for the Animals Weekend, including holiday music, crafts and fun for the family
This information was accurate at the time of publication. Please check with the Aquarium to confirm specific events.
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Aquarium of the Pacific Amenities
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The Visitor Information Desk is located right inside the entrance and has print guides in multiple languages.
Dining
The Café Scuba Restaurant provides indoor, cafeteria-style dining including sustainable seafood on the second level with a view of the seal and sea lion exhibit.
Bamboo Bistro outside in the Explorer's Cove offers pizza, hot dogs, beer and other refreshments.
There is a Snack Bar in the Great Hall, and seasonally a snack stand is located on the Harbor Terrace through the glass doors off the Great Hall.
Shopping
Pacific Collections Gift Shop is located just inside the main entrance.
Amazing Pictures provides an opportunity to purchase souvenir photos.
Restrooms and Changing Stations
There are Restrooms with baby-changing facilities in both the Women's and Men's rooms on the first floor near the central elevator inside the Aquarium, with a baby-care station in the first floor women's restroom. The second floor unisex restroom also has a baby changing table. Another restroom is located near the Shark Lagoon outside.
Accessibility
Elevators are located near the center right side of the Aquarium (from the entrance) and in the back, to the left of the two-story Blue Cavern tank.
Wheelchairs are available free of charge.
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Aquarium of the Pacific Discount Tickets
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Online Discount: Tickets purchased online are discounted from the gate price.
AAA Discount: 10% off ticket prices
Military Discount: Active military can get discount tickets from their local MWR office.
Veterans Discount: Veterans, military personnel, police officers, and firefighters who show valid service ID receive free admission on Veterans Day.
Check Goldstar.com for half price tickets for weekday visits.
Aquarium admission is included in the Go Los Angeles Card.
Combo Tickets
- Aquarium visit and Dolphin and Sea Life Cruise Combo
- Aquarium visit and Harbor Tour Combo
- Aquarium and Queen Mary Combo
- Aquarium and LA Zoo Combo
- Check current Combo Ticket Prices
FAQs
Can you bring vapes into Aquarium of the Pacific? ›
Smoking, vaping, gum, and balloons are not allowed in the Aquarium. Please use trash and recycling bins. Do not toss objects into the exhibits. Visit the Information Center, located in the Great Hall of the Pacific near the main entrance, to inquire about tours, Aquarium membership, and special events.
How long does it take to see everything at Aquarium of the Pacific? ›Our guests typically spend about 3 hours exploring the Aquarium. This can be extended by attending shows and special events we have going on during the day. Feel free to grab a schedule on your way in for a list of events happening that day.
What animals do they have at the Aquarium of the Pacific? ›The world's largest ocean Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach Meet more than 12,000 species. Our animals welcome you back! In the Southern California/Baja Gallery, you can meet giant sea bass, leopard sharks, eels, seals, sea lions, white abalone, and other species found locally or in Baja.
Do you need to make a reservation for the Aquarium of the Pacific? ›Timed tickets or advanced reservations are required for weekends and holidays. They are recommended for weekday visits.
Where can I put my vape on a cruise? ›On most major cruise lines, vaping is treated the same as smoking cigarettes. The general rule is that you can only use your vape in designated smoking areas.
What is the best time of day to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific? ›The best times to visit for a more peaceful experience are when we open or after 3:00 p.m. Come see what's new and don't forget to meet our penguins, sharks, and sea otters. Your admission fee helps us to feed our animals and supports our education and conservation programs. We look forward to seeing you soon.
What is the best time to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific? ›Best Times to Visit
Like many popular tourist destinations, the Aquarium is most crowded on the weekends, during the holiday season and during the summer. On the weekends, you can beat the crowds by arriving earlier, between 9:00 am and 10:00 am.
Food brought to the Aquarium must be consumed at the picnic area/front lawn or other surrounding areas such as the fountain area or lighthouse park. Food items are not allowed inside the Aquarium, except individual water bottles.
Can you bring outside food into the Aquarium of the Pacific? ›Lunch items, snacks, and drinks are available for purchase. With the exception of a birthday cake, no outside food or drinks may be brought into the Aquarium.
How much is it to feed the birds at the Aquarium of the Pacific? ›Feed a Moon Jelly
The cost is $3 per cup of food or 2 for $5. Purchase at the Moon Jelly Touch exhibit. Available Weekends 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. . You can feed the colorful lorikeets in Lorikeet Forest by purchasing a cup of nectar at the entrance.
Does the Aquarium of the Pacific allow food inside? ›
The Aquarium of the Pacific does not allow outside food in the Aquarium. However, guests may use the picnic bench area to enjoy outside food.
What happens if you are late at the Aquarium of the Pacific? ›Can a guest come late? o Yes, but if it is after 6:00 p.m. they will have to use the security button at the Members Entrance to get ringed in. Please let staff know in advance if a guest is going to arrive late.
How much is parking at the Aquarium of the Pacific? ›The fee is $8.00 for the day with Aquarium validation.
Parking can be paid for as you exit the lot with a credit card or at one of the parking kiosks near the elevators.
All guests ages two and over are recommended to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth except while in outdoor spaces. The Aquarium recommends both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests and staff to wear a mask indoors. Masks are required at all times during Animal Encounters both indoors and outdoors.
What is not allowed at the Aquarium of the Pacific? ›Causes for ejection and ban from future visits include, but are not limited to, causing harm both physical and mental to Aquarium animals, staff, or guests; lewd conduct or language; sexual harassment; disparaging comments based on protected characteristics; littering or deliberately damaging property; loitering; or ...
Can I fly with vape to California? ›Yes you can bring vapes onto planes, but be responsible.
Nothing besides juices and e-liquids can be stored in the checked baggage. If you are to carry e-liquids in your carry-on bag, they must be stored in a transparent case and can only contain up to 100ml.
Smoking, including electronic cigarettes and vaporizers, is PROHIBITED in ALL AREAS of the arena. In addition, there are no designated smoking areas outside of the arena.
Are you allowed to pack a vape? ›You can carry your vape or e-cig on a plane. Keep it in the cabin, but no smoking allowed! Learn more from FAA on how to safely pack your vape for air travel.