Monterey Bay Aquarium is home to more than 600 species and hosts more than two million visitors every year. Animal lovers young and old will appreciate exhibits focused on jellyfish, animals that live in the kelp forest, sea otters and more. The aquarium's location on Monterey Bay means a perfect vantage point for spotting animals in the bay, too.
Best and worst time to go to Monterey Bay Aquarium
To avoid crowds, visitors should consider going to Monterey Bay Aquarium from October to April, except on holidays. If that's not possible, summer visitors will find the aquarium less crowded on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Must see/do at Monterey Bay Aquarium
Animal feedings occur at various times during the day, and they're a must-see at the aquarium. Visitors can see penguins, sea otters and sharks being fed several times a day. The Jellies Experience is also a popular attraction; the exhibit features numerous types of jellyfish, including some that glow. Finally, every visitor should experience the view from the aquarium's ocean decks and try to spot the sea otters, dolphins and pelicans that live in Monterey Bay.
Admission to Monterey Bay Aquarium
Adult visitors to Monterey Bay Aquarium pay $40-$50 for admission, while the charge for children is $25-$35. Adults over the age of 65 and students ages 13-17 or who have a college ID receive a $5 discount. The aquarium also offers several special tours, suitable for both children and adults.
Parking at Monterey Bay Aquarium
Visitors will find several parking garages near Monterey Bay Aquarium, on Wave Street, on David Avenue and between Hoffman Avenue and Prescott Avenue. There's also limited metered street parking.
Public Transportation to Monterey Bay Aquarium
Three Monterey-Salinas Transit busses serve the aquarium: 1, 2 and 21. Visitors can also hop aboard the MST Trolley from Memorial Day until Labor Day to check out the aquarium and other Monterey attractions like Fisherman's Wharf.
Food at Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium offers visitors several food options, from quick snacks at the Coffee Bar to the self-serve café and the full-service Cindy's Waterfront restaurant. Café prices range from $5-$10 for foods like pizza and burgers. Cindy's Waterfront features a number of seafood dishes like clam chowder and local oysters, and prices range from $5-$20.
Insider tip for visitors to Monterey Bay Aquarium
No matter the season, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is least busy from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Author's bio: Elizabeth Xu is a freelance writer in the San Francisco Bay Area, though she hails from the Midwest. Follow her travels @ElizabethMXu.