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I remember the first time I visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I was a young employee at Hewlett-Packard. It felt especially meaningful knowing that the aquarium’s major donor, David Packard, was not only a co-founder of HP but also the visionary behind this place. His daughter, Julie Packard, served as the founding executive director, shaping its mission of marine conservation.

I later learned that one of David Packard’s final engineering contributions was designing the original surge mechanism that keeps the Kelp Forest exhibit alive. His legacy flows quite literally through the water. I still recall standing in front of that very exhibit, watching leopard sharks glide past me like ghosts in green light

Decades later, the magic hasn’t faded. If anything, it’s grown. I’ve returned as a parent, a travel writer, and a grandparent, and every visit brings something new. Whether you come for the sea otters or the sardines, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of California’s most immersive, educational, and inspiring coastal experiences.

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Getting There and Parking for the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Located on Cannery Row in Monterey, California, the aquarium is a bit more than two hours south of San Francisco and a scenic drive from almost anywhere in the Bay Area. If you’re planning a coastal road trip along Highway 1, it’s a perfect stop.

Parking near the aquarium can be a little tricky if you’re arriving midday or on a weekend. The closest paid garage is the Cannery Row Parking Garage on Foam Street, which charges a flat daily rate between $15 and $22 depending on demand, season, and how long you stay. After 5 p.m., the evening rate drops to just $5. If you arrive early, you might snag one of the free spots in the surrounding neighborhoods, but be sure to check signage carefully.

If you are willing to walk, we often find free parking between the Aquarium and Lover’s Point.

Inside the Aquarium: Exhibits that Inspired Awe

The Kelp Forest

I always make a beeline for the Kelp Forest exhibit. At 28 feet tall, it replicates the underwater world of California’s coastal kelp beds. Giant sea bass drift between golden kelp stalks, while sardines shimmer near the surface. Leopard sharks patrol the bottom like they’re on a slow-motion mission. The natural lighting and crashing wave simulation give this exhibit a rare authenticity.

In this exhibit, the kelp itself is real and constantly growing, swaying with the artificially generated surge. The ecosystem here is alive and evolving, which means you might see divers inside trimming the kelp or feeding the animals. During scheduled dive times, a staff diver appears inside the tank and interacts with guests through a microphone, explaining what they see and answering questions in real time.

Fish in this tank include not just leopard sharks and sea bass, but also wolf eels, garibaldi (California’s state fish), and schools of Pacific sardines. Watch closely and you might spot juvenile rockfish camouflaging against the kelp blades.

Open Sea

This is the aquarium’s largest exhibit, a mesmerizing theater of ocean giants. You’ll find hammerhead sharks, green sea turtles, ocean sunfish, and yellowfin tuna slicing through the 90-foot viewing window. The open sea tank is one of the few places where visitors can observe the coordinated movement of thousands of sardines in a constantly shifting baitball. Their fluid motion, tightly synchronized and glinting in the light, has a meditative effect.

The adjacent room to the Open Sea exhibit often features temporary installations.

Sea Otters

The sea otters are fan favorites, and for good reason. They’re endlessly entertaining and a major part of the aquarium’s conservation work. All the otters here are rescues, often orphans, being rehabilitated for release or acting as surrogates for younger pups. Watching them crack open shellfish or play with enrichment toys is a delight.

Otter feeding happens three to four times daily and is accompanied by a narrated session. The trainers explain not just what the otters eat, but why certain behaviors are reinforced, such as diving for food or grooming, for both their mental stimulation and survival skills.

Each otter has a unique personality. On one visit, I watched one repeatedly bring toys back to a platform, only to roll off backward into the water again and again, clearly playing. Another spent the entire session using her chest as a dinner plate while floating on her back.

Tentacles and Jellies

The jellyfish exhibits at Monterey Bay Aquarium are more like living art installations. The dark blue backgrounds, subtle lighting, and slow drifts of moon jellies, Pacific sea nettles, and comb jellies are utterly hypnotic.

Part of the magic here is the lighting, engineered to bring out the translucent colors in the animals while minimizing reflections from viewers. These tanks showcase not only the jellyfish themselves but also how they move, feed, and reproduce. There’s also a hands-on interactive screen nearby that allows guests to “build” their own jelly species using traits like tentacle length and pulsation rhythm.

And then there’s the Giant Pacific Octopus. During my last visit, it stretched out its tentacles along the glass as two children gasped next to me. It was one of those rare travel moments where everyone, adult and child alike, was equally spellbound. The octopus enclosure mimics its rocky coastal habitat, and caretakers change the layout frequently to stimulate problem-solving behaviors.

Touch Pools and Tactile Learning

One of the things the aquarium does brilliantly is letting people connect physically with the ocean. The touch pools let you feel sea stars, urchins, and abalone while learning about tidepool ecosystems. Naturalists are on hand to explain each animal and ensure their safety.

There’s also a kid-focused area with microscopes, digital displays, and a water play zone that teaches about wave dynamics. I was impressed at how these areas cater to various ages without dumbing things down. Even adults can enjoy learning about barnacle feeding rhythms or the way limpet shells deflect wave energy.

Aviaries and Shoreline Birds

The open-air aviary brings the outdoors in, with black-necked stilts, avocets, godwits, and other wading birds walking (and flying) freely in a sandy, plant-filled habitat that blends into the bay. There’s even an underwater viewing window that lets you see how these birds forage below the surface.

Seasonal migration charts are posted to help identify which species you might see depending on the time of year.

African Penguins

The African penguin exhibit is smaller than others, but it’s always a hit. These endangered birds waddle and preen on their rocky shoreline with comic charm. Feedings are interactive, with keepers sharing details about conservation work in South Africa and Namibia.

Penguins here are part of a Species Survival Plan and are carefully monitored. They each wear a colored band for identification, and a screen nearby helps guests figure out who is who. It’s a great place to pause and learn while watching their quirky behaviors.

Conservation at the Core

Beyond the stunning exhibits, what sets the Monterey Bay Aquarium apart is its role in marine conservation, policy, and public education. Programs like Seafood Watch help consumers make ocean-friendly choices. You can even explore that concept interactively in a retro diner-style learning station.

Other initiatives include reducing ocean plastic, climate interpretation, and extensive field research, including work with great white sharks, sea otter rehabilitation, and kelp forest ecology.

The Research Institute associated with the aquarium also collaborates with NOAA and local universities to tag and track marine species throughout the Pacific. Behind-the-scenes tours occasionally offer glimpses into this research.

The Hovden Cannery Legacy and the Aquarium’s Founding

The aquarium itself is housed in the historic Hovden Cannery building. Before it was an educational beacon, it was a sardine factory. But the story of the aquarium’s founding is just as remarkable as the building that houses it. The Monterey Bay Aquarium opened on October 20, 1984, after more than seven years of planning and construction.

The project was spearheaded and primarily funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, a philanthropic organization established by David Packard, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard. The initial $55 million to build the facility came almost entirely from the Packard Foundation.

Packard’s daughter, Julie Packard, a marine biologist, was instrumental in the vision and direction of the aquarium and continues to serve as its executive director. Her scientific background and passion for ocean conservation remain deeply embedded in the aquarium’s culture and mission.

 

Before it was an educational beacon, it was a sardine factory. This piece of history is honored in an interpretive exhibit near the main entrance, blending the past and present beautifully. You can still see remnants of the old cannery pipes, belt lines, and fish-hopper systems. Signs explain how sardines were processed, canned, and shipped globally. The museum-like displays include black-and-white photographs and oral histories from former cannery workers.

Admission: Tickets, Discounts, and Free Days

General admission prices for the Monterey Bay Aquarium as of 2025 are:

• Adults (18–69): $65.00
• Youth (5–17): $50.00
• Seniors (70+): $50.00
• Children under 5: Free

Tickets can be purchased online in advance at montereybayaquarium.org, which I recommend, especially during holidays or summer, or at the door. If you plan to visit more than once a year or want to support ocean conservation efforts, consider an annual membership.

Free Admission Options

Free tickets are sometimes available for Monterey County residents. Check the locals page on the aquarium website.

CalFresh/SNAP EBT cardholders can also receive free admission through the Museums for All program.

The aquarium also offers free group admission through its educational outreach initiative, Free to Learn. This program provides complimentary admission to eligible nonprofit organizations and government agencies serving low-income, at-risk, or underserved communities. Groups must apply in advance and meet specific criteria to qualify.

Tips for Discounts

While standard tourist discounts (AAA, military, etc.) are limited, you may find bundled ticket deals through Monterey hotels or attraction passes that include the aquarium. Booking hotel packages through Visit Monterey or partner properties can sometimes save $5–$10 per ticket.

Food with a View: Aquarium Café

The on-site café offers sustainably sourced food with floor-to-ceiling views of Monterey Bay. Burgers, sandwiches, and grain bowls dominate the menu, and the ingredients are local and fresh. Prices are what you’d expect from a major attraction, around $18–23 for a main, but the quality is high.

The café also accommodates vegetarian, gluten-free, and kids’ options. Seating inside is bright and breezy, but the real prize is the outdoor deck.

If the weather allows, take your meal to the outdoor deck and watch for sea lions or harbor seals below. There are also public spotting scopes mounted along the railing for a closer look at sea birds and shoreline wildlife.

Weddings and Private Events

Yes, you can get married at the aquarium. Imagine saying your vows with jellyfish pulsing behind you or a sea otter cheering from the side tank. The aquarium offers full event services and is a popular venue for elegant ocean-themed weddings.

Spaces available for rental include the Kelp Forest gallery, the Open Sea exhibit hall, and the outdoor decks. Catering is in-house and customizable. Guests can explore exhibits during cocktail hour or take guided tours between the ceremony and the reception.

While not inexpensive, it’s an unforgettable venue that supports a worthy cause.

Tips for Your Visit

• Arrive early to avoid parking stress and enjoy quieter exhibits.
• Buy tickets online ahead of time.
• Don’t miss feeding times, especially for the otters and the Open Sea tank.
• Dress in layers; the inside is temperate, but the outdoor decks can get chilly.
• Bring a good camera, but be mindful of reflections in dark tanks.
• Allow at least 3–4 hours, or more if you have kids or plan to eat lunch.
• Download the aquarium app, which includes maps, feeding times, and exhibit highlights.
• Visit during shoulder seasons (October–March) to avoid crowds and enjoy a more relaxed pace.

Final Thoughts

The Monterey Bay Aquarium isn’t just a place to look at marine animals. It’s a place to connect with the ocean. It reminds you that what happens out in Monterey Bay and oceans worldwide impacts us all. And it does that not by lecturing, but by inspiring. I’ve been more times than I can count, and I still walk away a little awestruck.

If you’re planning a trip to California’s Central Coast, carve out the time. Let the jellyfish float past. Watch a kid discover an anemone. And leave with salt air in your lungs and a bit more ocean in your heart.