Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium is an attraction in Monterey, CA, part of the San Francisco Bay Area guide. Cost: $50 or more.

886 Cannery Row · Monterey, CA

Why you should go…

The aquarium opened in 1984 on the site of the Hovden Cannery, a former sardine plant on Cannery Row. Its Kelp Forest exhibit stands 28 feet tall, and the Open Sea tank holds 1.2 million gallons with hammerhead and sandbar sharks, stingrays and sea turtles. You can watch the sea otter feeding and training sessions and walk through Into the Deep, an exhibition of animals from the deep sea. Buying tickets in advance makes for a smoother entry.

#aquarium
#sea otters
#cannery row
#kelp forest
#family attraction

What's around here?

The closest stops to Monterey Bay Aquarium, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

Attractions
Family Favorite
Monterey Mirror Maze
Under $25
Walk-through mirror maze and laser challenge arcade on Monterey's Cannery Row.
Steps awayMore like this
Eat & Drink
Date Night
Fish Hopper
$25–$50
Seafood and steak restaurant on Monterey's historic Cannery Row.
Steps awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink
Shopping
Local Gem
Cannery Row Antique Mall
Free
A two-story antique and collectibles mall on Cannery Row set inside a restored 1927 sardine cannery building.
0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping
Sightseeing
Iconic
Cannery Row
Free
Monterey's historic waterfront row of former sardine canneries turned shops, restaurants and hotels.
0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
Attractions
Quirky Fun
Links Club
$25–$50
Indoor golf simulator lounge in Carmel-by-the-Sea with TrackMan bays, a full bar and live music.
4.5 mi awayMore like this
Attractions
History Buff
Carmel Mission Basilica
Under $25
Historic 1797 Spanish mission church founded by Junipero Serra, now a minor basilica with a museum and gardens.
5.3 mi awayMore like this