Monterey Bay Aquarium

Watch sea otters, sharks, sea turtles and a towering kelp forest at an aquarium on the old Hovden Cannery site on Cannery Row.

886 Cannery Row · Monterey, CA

About Monterey Bay Aquarium

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

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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.
Transit: reachable by public transit
Steps awayMore like this
Eat & Drink
Date Night
Fish Hopper
$25–$50
Seafood and steak restaurant on Monterey's historic Cannery Row.
Transit: reachable by public transit
Steps awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink
Shopping
Local Gem
Cannery Row Antique Mall
No admission fee
A two-story antique and collectibles mall on Cannery Row set inside a restored 1927 sardine cannery building.
Transit: reachable by public transit
0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping
Sightseeing
Iconic
Cannery Row
No admission fee
Monterey's historic waterfront row of former sardine canneries turned shops, restaurants and hotels.
Transit: reachable by public transit
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.
Transit: reachable by public transit
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.
Transit: reachable by public transit
5.3 mi awayMore like this