Green Monster

Aquariums & Marine Centers

Aquarium of the Pacific

Long Beach – Southern California’s largest aquarium and home to more than 12,000 animals of the Pacific Ocean. Touch sharks, feed Australian lorikeets and moon jellies, and interact with more than 100 other exhibits. Read More

Birch Aquarium

La Jolla – Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Birch Aquarium features more than 60 habitats of fishes and invertebrates, including the world’s smallest penguins! Explore their two-story Giant Kelp Forest, Hall of Fishes, Sharks Shores, and touch animals in their Tide Pool Plaza. Read More

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

San Pedro – Thirty-five saltwater tanks and touch tanks, plus discovery labs and an Aquatic Nursery with baby sea animals. Kids can crawl into an aquarium, walk through a squishy mud tunnel, identify animals using microscopes, view a working laboratory, create artwork, and more. Read More

Heal the Bay Aquarium

Santa Monica – Located under the Santa Monica Pier, Heal the Bay Aquarium features 100+ species of marine animals and plants found locally. Read More

Living Coast Discovery Center

Chula Vista – Encounter local wildlife including sea turtles, sharks, rays, raptors, reptiles, and marine animals. Plus, daily animal presentations, safari hikes, workshops, bird walks, and wildlife tours. Read More

Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles

San Pedro – MMCCLAs is a non-profit hospital for seals and sea lions that become stranded along stranded along the LA County coast. Visitors can see seals and sea lion patients from a safe distance. Reservations are required. Suggested donation of $5 for tours. Read More

Ocean Institute

Dana Point – Open to the public on weekends, families can go on a guided tide pool hike, kayak around the Dana Point harbor, or go on a whale and marine life tour aboard a research vessel. Read More

Orange Coast College Dennis Kelly Aquarium

Costa Mesa- OCC Aquarium is a student-run training and community education facility where students get hands-on experience working with a remarkably diverse collection of aquatic organisms, from leopard sharks to jellies.

Pacific Marine Mammal Center

Laguna Beach – The PMMC Visitor Yard features interactive displays, marine mammal artifacts, and gift shop. Spend time observing the seal and sea lion patients. Open daily, free admission, donations appreciated. Read More

Roundhouse Aquarium

Manhattan Beach – Located at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier and cares for more than 100 different species of marine animals, mostly native to the Santa Monica Bay. Enjoy 12+ exhibits showcased within four aquarium galleries. Read More

Sea Life Aquarium at Legoland

Carlsbad – Discover 6,000 animals and interactive touchpools, dive shows, and feeding demonstrations. Highlights include a walk-through shark tunnel to see sharks and rays up close and seeing various LEGO models throughout the aquarium and inside tanks. Read More

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