If you are in Los Angeles, you have surely planned a visit to its most famous beaches, such as Malibu, Venice Beach, Santa Monica, and Hermosa Beach. The destinations on the coast also include Long Beach, where there are many places of interest, including its waterfront, beaches, the Ferris Wheel, the Queen Mary, the arts district, and, last but not least, the Aquarium of the Pacific, one of the largest aquariums in the United States, which attracts an impressive number of tourists each year. Let’s see what to expect from this attraction.
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About the Aquarium of the Pacific
If you want to learn more about the inhabitants and ecosystems of the planet’s largest ocean, the best thing you can do is pay a visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific, Southern California’s largest aquarium with nearly 12,000 animals, more than 500 different species, and the presence of as many as 19 natural habitats.
Each year, the aquarium, which opened in 1998, welcomes about 1.7 million visitors, making it one of Los Angeles’s most popular attractions. In addition to the care and display of the many species present, the Aquarium of the Pacific organizes programs, events, interactive activities featuring live animals that help the public appreciate the variety of ecosystems found in the Pacific Ocean and the importance of protecting our planet.
In 2019, the aquarium opened a new area called Pacific Visions. Inside a two-story building built following environmentally sustainable criteria, you will find a cinema, an art gallery, and an area with interactive games, themed board games, and live animal shows. This wing focuses on the major environmental problems of our time and alternative, sustainable ways to coexist with other living things.
Directions
The Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way in Long Beach, about 25 miles south of Downtown Los Angeles.
The best way to reach the aquarium by public transportation is by taking the subway, the Blue Line, and getting off at the Downtown Long Beach stop. From there you can walk to the aquarium, which is a 10-minute walk, or take the free Long Beach Transit Passport shuttle bus that stops right in front of the aquarium and connects Long Beach’s main attractions.
If you are driving, the best parking is at the aquarium itself. The cost is $8 per day if you have an aquarium admission ticket and is located on Shoreline Drive between Chestnut Place and Aquarium Way. The parking lot has a great location if you also want to stop at The Pike and Shoreline Village shopping center.
For more details, please refer to our guide on how to get around L.A.
Tickets and Opening Hours
The Aquarium of the Pacific is open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The only closing day is Christmas Day. Often in summer and on weekends, the aquarium extends its hours and stays open until 8:00 pm. I therefore recommend you check the hours on their website before your visit.
Some parts of the park have different hours: the Lorikeet Forest is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and it is possible to feed the lorikeets from 9:30 a.m. onwards at a cost of $4, the Moon Jelly Touch Lab can be visited from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the week and from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends, and at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. it is possible to feed the jellyfish and watch them eating at a cost of $3.
Currently the ticket cost to enter the aquarium is $36.95 for adults, $26.95 for children between 3 and 11 years old and $33.95 for those over 62 years old.
If you wish to feed the sharks and walk in the water next to the stingrays you can do so at the Shark Lagoon every Thursday and Saturday at 8:15 a.m., before the aquarium opens to the public. The experience costs $150 per person and includes admission to access other parts of the aquarium.
Things to Do at the Aquarium of the Pacific
The Aquarium of the Pacific is divided into three large galleries:
- the cold waters of the North Pacific;
- temperate waters of Southern California and the Bay;
- warm waters of the coral reefs and lagoons of the Tropical Pacific.
You will no doubt be amazed by the more than 100 exhibits that illustrate the beauty and variety of marine habitats found in the Pacific Ocean. On the ground floor you will find the Southern California gallery, oceanographic center, lorikeet forest, jellyfish area, seals and sea lions, shark tank, and access to the aquarium’s new wing, Pacific Visions. On the upper floor are the North Pacific Gallery, the penguin area and otter area, and the manta ray tank. Also on this floor is the Coral Reef and Tropical Waters gallery. Also, here you will find the cub section, one of the most beautiful and famous parts of the aquarium.
There are also packages that include various activities. Here are some of them:
- Blue Whale Watch and Sea Life Cruise: at a cost of $70.95 for adults, $56.95 for children between 3 and 11 and $67.95 for those over 62, you can visit the aquarium and then embark with expert guides for a 3 1/2-hour cruise to discover whales, as well as dolphins, seals and sea lions. Cruises depart daily at 12 noon and 3:30 pm.
- Harbor Tour: If you don’t have 3 1/2 hours but the idea of a cruise appeals to you, you can join this tour to discover the harbors of Long Beach/Los Angeles. The cruise takes 45 minutes and costs $48.95 for adults, $31.95 for children ages 3 to 11 and $42.95 for those over 62.
- Aquarium/Zoo Combo: If you have toddlers or just love animals, you have the opportunity to save money by buying admission tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach and the Los Angeles Zoo at a total cost of $50.00 for adults and $38.00 for children. The two parks are about an hour apart and can be visited on the same day or on two different days-the tickets are valid for one year from purchase.
Where to Stay in the Area
Deciding to sleep in Long Beach during your stay in Los Angeles, or for a few days anyway, is certainly a great idea. Long Beach is a neighborhood full of life thanks to the presence of many college students, has a large beach where you can enjoy a lot of water sports, and is well connected to Downtown Los Angeles, thanks to the blue subway line. From Long Beach, you can also reach Disneyland in less than 40 minutes. The area offers both large chain hotels and small, family-owned hotels and vacation rentals, so the range of accommodations for sleeping in this Los Angeles neighborhood is really wide and varied. Take a look at our guide on the places to stay in Los Angeles, which also includes specific recommendations for Long Beach.
