Monterey Bay Aquarium, Carmel-by-the-Sea

4 more images

Carmel By The Sea is just Beside it's Larger Neighbor, Monterey and The Monterey Bay Acquarium is one of the Highlights in walking around Cannery row of Monterey and is an important things to do in the area. It is located near the southern end of Cannery row. It was once one of the famous Sardine Cannery when Monterey was a booming Seafood town but went bust in the 1970's and in 1984, it was restructured and mane into the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This huge aquarium holds thousands of plants and animals, representing 623 separate named species on display mostly of local species of Plants and Sea Animals plus a smattering of foreign species. Their kelp forest is huge and is housed in the largest window pane glass aquarium in the world.

Hours:

Open every day except Dec. 25
Regular hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Winter: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Summer/holidays: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Summer weekends: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Adult Admission

Ages 18-64 and not in college.

$32.95
Child Admission

Ages 3-12. Children under 3 are free.

$19.95
Senior Admission

Ages 65 and over.

$29.95
Student Admission

Ages 13-17 or in college.

$29.95

According to wikipedia:

The centerpiece of the Ocean's Edge Wing, is a 10 meter (33-foot) high 333,000-US-gallon (1,260,000 l; 277,000 imp gal) tank for viewing California coastal marine life. In this tank, the aquarium was the first in the world to grow live California Giant Kelp. Visitors are able to inspect the creatures of the kelp forest at several levels in the building. The largest tank in the aquarium is a 1,200,000-US-gallon (4,500,000 l; 1,000,000 imp gal) tank in the Open Sea galleries (formerly the Outer Bay), which features one of the world's largest single-paned windows.

3 more images

Monterey Bay Aquarium is considered one of the best in the nation, and I would have to say that is true.
Located right in the heart of the tourist area, it is easy to get to, easy to find parking garages nearby, and large enough to accommodate hundreds of visitors at any one time. The architecture alone is worth seeing as you look upward and notice the great heights within. Suspended from the ceiling in mid air are skeletal forms of whales, which of course are quite large. Scattered throughout are educational areas for both adults and children which give you hands-on experience and information about the marine world. Throughout the day the aquarium also schedules demonstrations/ seminars where you are instructed by the experts in a show and tell type venue on various topics relative to the marine world. The aquarium is divided into several themes such as kelp forest, coral, jellyfish, etc. All areas are interesting, educational, well presented, and plain enjoyable. The aquarium has employees who do actual research in the Pacific Ocean right there on the marine life within. On one of my walks in nearby Carmel, I stopped and chatted with a young lady who was obviously doing something along these lines. She had telescopes set up right behind her car and also had lots of wires and cameras and equipment with which to do research. I chatted with her, and she verified that she was doing research on the sea otters. Preserving and protecting the marine life is of great importance to the aquarium and its supporters.

One of the greatest aquariums in the US! This amazing aquarium has some of the greatest sea life from graceful jellies to carnivorous sharks. It's fun for the whole family or even just by yourself! There is so much to see between the different exhibits, the sea otter feedings, and the giant kelp forest. You can see octopus, starfish, yellowfin tuna, leopard sharks, and so many other creatures! A wonderful way to spend the day or half the day! Please see my travelogue below for more pictures of the aquarium. Students get discounts.