Aquarium of the Pacific

About Aquarium of the Pacific

The Aquarium of the Pacific sits on the waterfront at Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, just south of downtown Los Angeles. It opened in 1998 and focuses, as the name suggests, on the Pacific Ocean, organizing its exhibits around three regions: the sunlit waters of Southern California and Baja, the cold northern Pacific, and the warmer tropical Pacific. Altogether it holds thousands of animals across hundreds of species, from sea otters and sea lions to moon jellies, sharks, and a large reef tank. It is one of the biggest aquariums in the United States, and it stays busy, so it reads less like a quiet museum and more like a full-day family attraction.

A few areas tend to draw the longest lines. The Shark Lagoon lets you touch smaller, docile sharks and rays in open pools, and the Lorikeet Forest is a walk-through aviary where the birds land on you if you buy a cup of nectar. There is also a large tropical reef habitat and regular animal feedings and diver presentations throughout the day, usually posted on boards near the entrance when you arrive. Many exhibits are hands-on, which makes the place work well for younger children, though it gets crowded around midday on weekends and school holidays.

The aquarium is easy to reach. It is a short walk from the Pike Outlets and the Long Beach waterfront, parking is available in the adjacent structure for a fee, and the Metro A Line connects it to central Los Angeles if you would rather not drive. Entry requires a ticket, and some add-ons such as behind-the-scenes tours, animal encounters, or whale-watching trips from the neighboring dock are booked separately. Plan on roughly two to three hours for a standard visit, more if you catch several of the scheduled shows.