Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach

Take a journey of discovery through the world's largest ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. Meet more than 12,500 animals as you explore sunny Southern California and Baja, the frigid waters of the North Pacific, and the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific.

 

Come face-to-face with, and even touch, the ocean's ultimate predators in Shark Lagoon. Join us on a Ocean Experience Harbor Tour.(July and August) Behind the Scenes tour to see how the Aqurium works. Take a voyage this spring on our Wildlife and Whale Cruise. Enjoy AnimalVision 3-D, a film that combines stunning state-of-the-art 3-D technology and digital animation while providing important environmental messages for all ages.

There is no better time to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific than now, during our Dive Deeper Days when you can expect individual attention and even some special surprises!

Hours: Open 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day of the year, except December 25 and during the weekend of the Grand Prix of Long Beach (April 7-9, 2006).

| Admission Prices and Info | Current Exhibits| Driving Directions | General Info |

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Aquarium of the Pacific - General Admission Tickets

Aquarium admission includes all the galleries, hands-on labs, and presentations as noted on the daily handout.

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Aquarium of the Pacific - Ocean Experience Harbor Tour 90 Minutes July and August

Embark on a journey to explore the marine wildlife and the environment of Long Beach Harbor. You are all invited aboard a 90-foot research vessel for a 90-minute marine science excursion.

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Aquarium of the Pacific - Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tour

Learn what it takes to run a world class Aquarium! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to prepare meals for 12,500 animals? Have you thought about what it would take to maintain a goldfish bowl the size of three football fields?

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Some of the Many Exhibits at the Aquarium of the Pacific

SHARK LAGOON the Aquarium's newest exhibit allows you to witness some of the most legendary and enigmatic animals - sharks - the ocean's ultimate predators! Featuring more than 150 sharks you can touch...and some you can't! Shark Lagoon includes an expansive exhibit with large sharks and rays, shark touch pools, interactive displays, a theater, the Shark Shack gift store, The Aquarium of the Pacific is one of the largest aquariums in the United States. Its more than 500 species fill 19 major habitats and 32 focus exhibits and take visitors on a journey throughout the Pacific Ocean's three regions: Southern California/Baja, the Tropical Pacific, and the Northern Pacific.

ANIMALVISION 3-D Experience the icy north with a polar bear family, frolic in the ocean with sea turtles and sea horses, and play ball with apes and other rainforest inhabitants as you meet some of the many animals that depend on us for their futures.

AnimalVision 3-D, an animated film, takes families on an adventure across the globe to see how our actions at home are affecting animals around the world. The film combines stunning state-of-the-art 3-D technology and digital animation with important environmental messages to engage and inspire both children and adults to become better stewards of our planet. AnimalVision 3-D will be shown multiple times daily and will continue through mid 2006.

Cost for the film is $3.00 each for guests of all ages and is not included in the general admission price..

WHALES A JOURNEY WITH GIANTS: Discover the wondrous world of whales at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Whales: A Journey with Giants. Watch a large-scale multimedia presentation in our Great Hall, take part in our new Whale of Fortune children's program, meet Blue—the Aquarium's new mascot, visit our hands-on whale display, and learn all about these gentle giants with our new Passport Book and exhibit graphics. Dive deeper into the world of whales at one of our upcoming lectures or whale watching boat trips. Your journey awaits!

 

WHALES VOICES IN THE SEA: Explore the sound-based world of whales.Discover the sounds of humpback, sperm, gray, blue, beaked, and Northern right whales in this online version of the Aquarium of the Pacific's exhibit Whales: Voices in the Sea. Listen to each whale call, watch videos on the whales, learn about conservation issues, and see interviews with scientists.

 

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Directions and Public Transportation

Aquarium of the Pacific 100 Aquarium Way Long Beach, CA 90802

Directions to the Aquarium from Los Angeles:

1. Take the 405 Freeway south to the 710 Freeway south;
2. Follow signs to downtown Long Beach and the Aquarium exit;
3. The Aquarium exit will lead to the Aquarium parking lot

Directions to the Aquarium from Orange County:

1. Take the 405 Freeway north to the 710 Freeway south;
2. Follow signs to downtown Long Beach and the Aquarium exit;
3. The Aquarium exit will lead to the Aquarium parking lot.

The parking structure for the Aquarium is on the water side of Shoreline Drive between Chestnut Place and Aquarium Way. Parking is $6 for Aquarium guests in both the Aquarium and Pike parking structures when you show an Aquarium ticket stub.

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Blue Line Transit

Whether you're a resident or a visitor to the area, you can take the Metro Blue Line to the Aquarium of the Pacific. The 22-mile Metro Blue Line provides service between Los Angeles and Long Beach. You can take the Blue Line from Los Angeles to Downtown Long Beach, where it stops at First Street and Pine Avenue. Once you get to Pine Avenue, you can then catch the Long Beach Passport Shuttle for a free ride to the Aquarium of the Pacific!

AquaBus and AquaLink

There are many exciting attractions to visit and explore in Long Beach. The AquaBus and AquaLink link the Aquarium to several other city destinations. For info about the AquaBus, AquaLink, Pine Avenue Link, and other transportation to the Aquarium, please visit Long Beach Transit online. AquaBus and AquaLink are operated by Catalina Express, Call 1 (800) 995-4386 or by visiting them on the web.

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General Information

Timed Ticketing

We want every guest who visits the Aquarium of the Pacific to have a positive experience. In order to do that, the Aquarium needs to limit the number of people who enter the facility so that large crowds do not overwhelm the exhibit galleries.

During our more popular summer periods and holidays when we anticipate higher attendance, the Aquarium of the Pacific utilizes a timed ticketing system, which allows each guest a special time to enter the facility. While you wait for your entrance time, we suggest exploring nearby downtown Long Beach restaurants and attractions.

Best Times to Visit

The Aquarium is most crowded on the weekends, during the holiday season and during the summer. If you do decide to visit on a Saturday or Sunday, you can beat the crowds by coming earlier (between 9:00 am and 10:00 am). On weekdays, school groups visit the Aquarium in the morning, but leave by 2:00 pm. Hours: Open 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day of the year, except December 25 and during the weekend of the Grand Prix of Long Beach (April 7-9, 2006).

The Aquarium of the Pacific is happy to provide wheelchairs free of charge.

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