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Aquarium of the Pacific opening hours
Timings: The Aquarium of the Pacific is open daily from 9am to 6pm. On select dates, the closing time is extended to 8pm, including August 1 to 11, 13 to 18, 24 to 25, & 31; September 1, 2, 7, 8, 14, 15, 22, 28, & 29; October 5, 13, 19, 26, & 27
Closed: The aquarium is closed on December 25 every year.
Book Aquarium of the Pacific tickets
How to get to the Aquarium of the Pacific
By public transport
- Light rail: While there’s no direct light rail from Long Beach Airport, you can take the A Line from Willow Street Station. It’s a quick 16-minute ride to Downtown Long Beach, where you'll be close to the aquarium.
- Bus: Catch the 111 LKWD-Broadway bus from Long Beach Airport to Downtown. The trip takes around 50 minutes. Get off at First & Shelter C N, then walk just over 10 minutes to reach the aquarium. If you're already downtown, hop on the free Passport bus to the Shoreline & Queensway or Shoreline & Cedar stops, with a 5-minute walk to the aquarium.
- Taxi: App cabs like Uber and Lyft are available all over the city to take you to the aquarium in comfort.
By car
- From Long Beach airport: Take I-405 N and then get on to I-710 S. Then, get to W Shoreline Drive through the exit 1C on I-710 S. It'll take you about 13 mins.
- From Anaheim: If you visit from Anaheim, home to Disneyland Park, take I-5 N from W Broadway. Then take CA-91 W/State Hwy 91 W and I-710 S to W Shoreline Dr. The aquarium is just a short distance along W Shoreline Dr. You should reach it within 30 mins.
- From midtown Los Angeles: Take US-101 S to I-710 S. Move on to W Shoreline Dr in Long Beach and then Aquarium Way to get to the aquarium. It'll take you about half an hour.
Know before you go
Facilities
Accessibility
Visiting with family
Rules and regulations
Dining
Nearby
- Washrooms: Washrooms can be found all over the aquarium. There are also access washrooms available.
- Baby care station: Every washroom on levels one and two in the Great Hall has baby changing facilities. There are some by the Shark Lagoon as well. There is also a baby care room next to the first-floor ladies' restroom.
- Water fountain: You can drink and replenish your water bottles from the drinking water fountains at the aquarium.
- First aid: If you need first aid, you can get in touch with Member Services at the venue.
- Lost and found: If you lose anything at the aquarium, you can contact the lost and found facility at the aquarium.
- Wi-Fi: Visitors can access free wifi at the aquarium.
- Accessible washrooms: Access washrooms have large, adapted stalls at the aquarium.
- Wheelchair access: The aquarium is fully wheelchair accessible, including the front entrance. You can borrow a limited number of wheelchairs for free, available on a first come first serve basis.
- Sensory support tools: Special KCVIP badges, fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, and other resources are available for guests who suffer from sensory processing disorders.
- Visual Assistance: A number of visual aids are available at the aquarium, such as audio tours, Braille information, touchable art, virtual 'touch' sensory devices, etc.
- Auditory Assistance: The Aquarium of the Pacific offers support for guests with hearing impairments, including written descriptions, closed captions, listening devices, and access to sign language interpreters.
- Service animals: Service animals can be taken into most areas at the aquarium. However, there may be restrictions in some areas because of other animals present in the vicinity.
- Most areas of the aquarium are accessible with strollers.
- When you visit the Aquarium of the Pacific, make sure that you bring your own stroller if you need one. There are none available for rent.
- You can borrow baby “backpacks” for free from the information desk. These are available on a first come first serve basis.
- There are a number of activities that can keep children busy when you visit the Aquarium of the Pacific. Lorikeets feeding, jellyfish feeding, shows at the Pacific Visions, harbor boat tours and special events like Ocean Investigators are just a few examples.
- The aquarium has a strictly enforced no weapons policy. So, when you visit the Aquarium of the Pacific, you can't take in firearms, chemical weapons, knives, or other harmful objects.
- The aquarium can eject, ban or refuse admission to any person in case it finds that they have breached the code of conduct.
- All visitors must go through the low-frequency magnetic scanner when entering the aquarium.
- Illegal drugs and outside alcoholic beverages are not allowed inside. You can get your own food but it is not allowed inside the building. These can be consumed at the picnic tables outside.
- No animal is allowed inside except for service animals, as defined in the ADA.
- Ice coolers or ice chests are restricted inside the building unless a guest has an infant or special needs.
The Aquarium of the Pacific features four main dining options inside the venue:
- Café Scuba: The main dining spot of the aquarium is Café Scuba, which serves sustainable seafood, such as cod certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. You can also get plant-based burgers, salads, sandwiches, and nachos here. In beverages, they offer soft drinks like coffee and soda as well as beer and wine. The atmosphere of the cafe is vibrant and comfortable, overlooking the Seal and Sea Lion exhibit.
- Bamboo Bistro: If you're looking for a quick bite, the Bamboo Bistro is a great spot near the Shark lagoon. It serves finger food like sandwiches, burgers, pizza, etc.
- Blue Whale Café Coffee Cart: Enjoy a cup of warmth under the Blue Whale sculpture in the Great Hall at the Blue Whale Café Coffee Cart. You can also get snacks like brownies, cookies, pretzels, etc.
- Bar Fresh: Get a dose of freshness when you visit the Aquarium of the Pacific. Choose from a wide variety of smoothies, drinks, and light snacks. You can also get boozy smoothies here.
- Lions Lighthouse: Located in the Shoreline Marina of Long Beach, this decorative lighthouse was funded by the Downtown Long Beach Lions Club International to symbolically showcase their work for people with visual impairment. It’s a popular photography spot thanks to its scenic views.
- The Queen Mary: The RMS Queen Mary is a retired British ship permanently docked in Long Beach, California since 1967. Owned by the city of Long Beach, it has been a tourist attraction since 1971, featuring a museum, a hotel and a number of restaurants.
- Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA): Founded by Dr. Robert Gumbiner in 1996, MOLAA is the only museum in the US dedicated to contemporary Latin American and Latino art. It features an outdoor sculpture garden, four galleries, and a 'project space' hosting many cultural events, educational programs and exhibitions.
Aquarium of the Pacific highlights
Coral Reefs: Nature's Underwater Cities
Learn about the intricate biorhythms of Coral Reefs, the challenges they face, and the vital steps we can take to protect them. Along the way, encounter creatures like the green sea turtle, flashlight fish and leaf plate montipora, along with other fascinating marine life!
June Keyes Penguin Habitat
Step into the world of twenty charming Magellanic Penguins in this engaging exhibit. Discover the challenges they face in the wild while exploring a replica of their natural environment, complete with a rocky shoreline, a swimming pool, and cozy nests. You can even crawl into a special viewing area for a penguin’s-eye view of their world.
Frogs: Facing a Changing World
This exhibit showcases a colorful collection of tropical frogs from across the globe. Learn about their life cycles, the conservation efforts to protect them, and understand the environmental challenges they encounter. Guests can unleash their creativity by painting their own virtual frogs, a favorite activity among children!
Moon Jelly Touch Lab
At the Moon Jelly Touch Lab, you can explore the graceful movements of these jellies within their curved tank and even give them a gentle touch. Discover fascinating facts about moon jellyfish, and on weekends, you even have the chance to feed them!
Lorikeet Forest
Step into a sprawling 5,400-square-foot outdoor aviary teeming with vibrant Green-naped, Edward’s, and Swainson’s lorikeets fluttering freely around you in a riot of colors. You can also purchase a cup of nectar at the exhibit to feed these delightful birds.
Shark Lagoon
One of the more interactive attractions at the aquarium is the Shark Lagoon, where you will find zebra sharks, bamboo sharks, gray reef sharks, epaulette sharks, and more. You can learn about these marine predators, watch the staff feed them and even touch some of them. The exhibit has interactive touch pools, a water-squirting playground structure, an amphitheater, the Pacific Treasures gift store, and the Bamboo Bistro café.
Sea Otter Habitat
In this charming habitat, you’ll get to see playful sea otters thriving in a realistic reproduction of their natural environment, complete with rocks, pools, and dedicated caretakers. Learn about their feeding habits, conservation initiatives, and everyday routines through interactive activities.
First Wednesday's Lecture Series
The aquarium’s lecture series has been curated for guests who are interested in science, conservation, and innovative efforts within these areas. It is an effort in sharing and exploring valuable information and interesting studies on the environment. The program invites speakers from diverse fields — including scientists, journalists, artists, and aquarium staff — who share their insights and experiences.
Honda Pacific Visions Theater
The Honda Pacific Visions Theater features an impressive 32-foot-tall, 130-foot-wide curved screen that promises an unforgettable multi-sensory experience. The stage also has a 36-foot-wide, oval-shaped disc which displays projected images, giving the theater an even more immersive feel.
Boat Cruises
While not officially part of the aquarium experience, you can enjoy harbor boat tours and cruises along the Long Beach coast during your visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific. A team of aquarium naturalists will accompany you as you try to spot whales, dolphins, sea lions and more!. Please note that tickets for these cruises must be booked separately.
Frequently asked questions about your visit to Aquarium of the Pacific
Can I visit the Aquarium of the Pacific by car?
Yes, you can easily visit the Aquarium of the Pacific by car. There is a huge parking lot on the opposite side of the aquarium building for personal cars. Apart from that you can also use app cabs like Uber to reach the venue.
Which bus to take when visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific?
In downtown Long Beach, you can use the Passport bus for free to visit a number of spots in the area, including the aquarium. It stops at both Shoreline & Cedar NW stop and Shoreline & Queensway SE stop, which are about 5 mins away from the aquarium on foot. From the Long Beach airport, you can take the 111 LKWD-Broadway to Downtown bus to reach the aquarium directly. You'll just have to walk about 10 minutes thereafter from the First & Shelter C N stop.
What animals can you feed at the Aquarium of the Pacific?
At the aquarium, you can feed a number of animals, such as the moon jellies and the lorikeets. The moon jellies eat tiny brine shrimp and the lorikeets eat nectar, both of which you'll have to buy from the exhibits.
Can I have a picnic at the Aquarium of the Pacific?
You can get your own food and have a small picnic in the outdoor area, but no outside food is allowed inside the building.
How much time should I spend at the Aquarium of the Pacific?
Ideally, you should spend 3-4 hours at the aquarium to truly soak in all it has to offer. However, there are enough activities to explore all day long.
When is the aquarium the most crowded?
Summers have heavy crowds streaming into the museum. Both locals and travelers visit in numbers during this time, especially those with families. School holidays also see an uptick in visitors.
