Monterey Bay Aquarium

Many consider Monterey Bay to be the world’s best aquarium. I have visited this particular attraction twice and dozens of other aquariums. In my opinion, it’s very easy to see why other places pale in comparison to Monterey. Over 600 species of plants and animals are spread across 12 beautifully design exhibits. In addition, the aquarium is known for its progressive research and is also home to the Seafood Watch, a comprehensive guide for eating seafood in a safe and sustainable manner. Furthermore, movie buffs or Disney fans will recognize this particular aquarium inspired the setting for Finding Dory. Keep reading my Monterey Bay Aquarium blog post for a brief overview of what you can expect.

Don’t forget, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is part of the San Francisco CityPass!

Level One

Exhibits are nicely balanced between the two floors. Level one features the ever-popular sea otters. These animals were all stranded orphans and could not survive in the wild on their own. In addition, Monterey Bay has been instrumental in conducting research which has helped the near extinct population of sea otter rebound. If you want to see benefits of these conservation efforts, go visit the nearby Moss Landing. This town features a large number of wild otters floating around a sheltered bay.

The first floor also houses special exhibits. As of this article, Monterey Bay is featuring “Viva Baja” and “Tentacles”. Both of these special attractions were astounding, but my favourite was Viva Baja. This Mexican peninsula is home to some of the most diverse underwater ecosystems in the world. Considering the Monterey Bay Aquarium wants to feature exhibits which are “close to home”, I thought it was fitting to showcase an area that’s only a few hundred miles away.

 

Level Two

Level two features some of my favourite marine animals. I love taking pictures of jellyfish and penguins are always a joy to watch. However, my favourite part of the second floor is the “Open Sea” exhibit. This tank contains green sea turtles, pacific bluefin tuna and scalloped hammerhead sharks. The following picture accurately portrays the sense of wonder and amazement that most people feel when admiring this exhibit.

Conclusion

For those driving the coastal highway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, a stop at the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must. This world-class attraction is perfect for all ages and even people who don’t normally enjoy aquariums. On average, guests spend approximately 2-4 hours admiring the 600 different kinds of aquatic plants and animals. Do yourself a favour and add the Monterey Bay Aquarium to your California itinerary!

Thanks for reading my Monterey Bay Aquarium blog post! For other things to do in the area, check out my Monterey Travel Guide.