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.