16 Best Aquariums in Southern California to Explore With Kids (2026) 🐠
(Updated for 2026) Typing “aquariums near me” into your phone on a Saturday morning? You’re in luck. Southern California is surrounded by world-class aquariums, tiny pier-side touch tanks, and even a working seal and sea lion hospital, and many of them are free.
We’ve updated our guide with 2026 hours, prices, parking, and brand-new exhibits, and we’ve added four more ocean adventures in Orange County, San Diego, and the Central Coast. Whether you have a shark-obsessed kindergartner or a teen who wants to be a marine biologist, here are the best aquariums in Southern California (plus a few worth the road trip) to explore before your kids grow up.
Quick List: 16 Best Aquariums Near Me in Southern California & Beyond
Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach)
Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica)
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (San Pedro)
Roundhouse Aquarium (Manhattan Beach)
Marine Mammal Care Center (San Pedro)
Ocean Institute (Dana Point)
Doheny State Beach Visitor Center & Aquarium (Dana Point)
Birch Aquarium at Scripps (La Jolla)
SeaWorld San Diego (San Diego)
SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California (Carlsbad)
The Living Coast Discovery Center (Chula Vista)
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center (Santa Barbara)
Central Coast Aquarium (Avila Beach)
Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey)
California Academy of Sciences (Steinhart Aquarium) (San Francisco)
Aquarium of the Bay (San Francisco)
Aquariums in Los Angeles County
Searching for an aquarium in Los Angeles? These five are all within an easy drive of the city, and three of them are free.
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
If you only have time for one aquarium in Los Angeles, make it this one. The Aquarium of the Pacific sits right on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, and it is packed with family favorites like Shark Lagoon, the Lorikeet Forest (bring a steady hand for nectar feeding), the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, and the high-tech Pacific Visions wing.
There is plenty that is new for 2026, too. Jelly Dreamscapes is an immersive jellyfish exhibit featuring species the Aquarium has never shown before, the Ocean Theater has been turned into a HoloTheater, and Undersea Explorer VR lets kids “dive” in 360 degrees. Two new sea otters have arrived, and a sea turtle rehabilitation area opened in April 2026, where you can meet a rescued turtle named Meatloaf. Yes, really.
Hours: Open daily, generally 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with some shorter and extended days. Closed Christmas Day.
Admission: Adults $49.95, children 3–11 $34.95, seniors 62+ $46.95. Kids under 3 are free. Reservations are required on weekends and holidays.
Parking: The parking structure on Shoreline Drive is $8 for the day with validation inside the Aquarium.
Parent tip: The Aquarium is KultureCity sensory-inclusive certified, with free sensory bags at Member Services. Outside food isn’t allowed inside, but there are picnic tables on the plaza.
Official site: Aquarium of the Pacific prices and hours
1600 Ocean Front Walk
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tucked right under the Santa Monica Pier, Heal the Bay Aquarium (many locals still call it the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium) is small, affordable, and perfect for little ones with big curiosity and short attention spans. Kids can get hands-on at the touch tanks with sea stars, hermit crabs, and sea urchins.
Exhibits focus on the animals living just offshore, including the Kelp Forest, Rocky Reef, Shark Nursery, Sea Jellies, and Under the Pier displays. It’s an easy add-on to a beach day or a spin on the Pier’s rides.
Hours: Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. The aquarium occasionally closes on scheduled weekends, so check the calendar before you go.
Admission: Adults and teens 13+ $12, kids 4–12 $5, students and seniors 65+ $10, EBT cardholders $6. Kids 3 and under are free with an adult ticket, and active or retired military and veterans are free. No reservations needed for general admission.
Parking: The City of Santa Monica is doing construction at the Pier. Lot 1 South is fully open, while Lot 1 North may have construction-related blockages.
Official site: Heal the Bay Aquarium
3720 Stephen M. White Dr.
San Pedro, CA 90731
Big news for San Pedro families: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium celebrated its 90th anniversary with a grand reopening on April 18, 2026, unveiling a renovated Exhibit Hall and a brand-new Collections Room. This beloved city-run aquarium is all about Southern California sea life, the animals your kids might actually spot on their next beach day.
Beyond the Exhibit Hall, look for the Exploration Center and the Aquatic Nursery. Because you’ll park right at Cabrillo Beach, pack the sand toys and turn it into a full coastal afternoon. It’s also one of the best free aquariums near me for LA families on a budget.
Hours: Tuesday–Friday, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Admission: Free, with a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Groups of more than 15 need a reservation.
Parking: Cabrillo Beach lot, $3 per hour with a $9 daily max. A $9 flat fee applies on city-observed summer holidays and special event days.
Official site: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium admission and hours
2 Manhattan Beach Blvd. (end of the Manhattan Beach Pier)
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Walk to the very end of the Manhattan Beach Pier and you’ll find the Roundhouse Aquarium Teaching Center, a charming little aquarium with more than 100 marine animals from local waters. Kids love spotting the moon jellies, sharks, octopus, sheephead, moray eels, and lobsters.
The touch tank is the star of the show, with sea stars, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and sea snails. The Roundhouse also hosts birthday parties, summer camp, and its popular “Starry Night with the Sharks” program.
Hours: October–March: Monday–Friday 2–5 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. April–September: Monday–Friday 2–7 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Admission: Free. Suggested donations are $5 per person or $10 per family.
Parking: Parking is available near the pier. Check posted rates.
Parent tip: Weekday hours start at 2 p.m., so plan a morning at the beach and an after-lunch aquarium visit.
Official site: Roundhouse Aquarium Teaching Center
3601 S. Gaffey St. #8
San Pedro, CA 90731
This one isn’t a traditional aquarium, and that’s exactly what makes it special. The Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles is a working hospital for sick and injured seals and sea lions. Families watch recovering patients through a viewing fence, check out educational exhibits, and chat with volunteer docents about how each animal ended up there.
It’s a powerful way to show kids why ocean conservation matters. Two house rules: keep voices quiet and don’t shake the fence. The center also runs a Family Science Sunday program with a $1 booking fee per participant.
Hours: Friday–Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Tuesday–Thursday.
Admission: Free. Reserve online before your visit, since walk-ins are limited. Groups of more than 10 should email the education team.
Parking: Free, right in front of the hospital.
Parent tip: It’s a few minutes from Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, so pair them for a free San Pedro ocean day.
Official site: Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles
Aquariums in Orange County
Dana Point Harbor has two ocean stops within a short drive of each other, which makes it easy to turn into a full day trip.
24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr.
Dana Point, CA 92629
New to our list for 2026, the Ocean Institute in Dana Point is a hands-on marine science campus that feels like a field trip, in the best way. Kids can reach into a shark and ray touch tank and a tide pool touch tank, explore marine mammal artifacts, and check out interactive exhibits that rotate monthly.
The showstopper is the tall ship Spirit of Dana Point, where families can take a sailors’ history tour. Add-on experiences like squid dissections and sea star feedings are a hit with older kids who want to get their hands wet.
Hours: General admission is Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., plus select holidays. Weekdays are reserved for school programs.
Admission: Adults $16; children 19 months–13 years $12; seniors 55+ and military $14. Infants 0–18 months and members are free. Tickets are sold online.
Parking: Please check the website for more information.
Official site: Ocean Institute
25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr.
Dana Point, CA 92629
Just down the harbor from the Ocean Institute, Doheny State Beach has a newly renovated visitor center that the Doheny State Beach Foundation calls the largest public aquarium in the entire California State Park System. Expect tide pool touch tanks, five tanks showcasing different ocean habitats, and mounted displays of local mammals and birds.
Since it sits right on a sandy family beach, this is an easy one to pair with a picnic and a splash in the waves.
Hours: California State Parks lists the visitor center as open weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the Doheny State Beach Foundation lists daily hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call ahead to confirm.
Admission: Visitor center admission isn’t listed. Park day-use parking is $15 per vehicle, or $20 on summer weekends and holidays.
Parent tip: Check the State Parks page for current beach conditions and alerts before you go.
Official site: Doheny State Beach (California State Parks)
Aquariums in San Diego County
From La Jolla to Chula Vista, San Diego County is packed with aquariums with sharks, penguins, and touch pools.
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, CA 92037
Perched on a hill above La Jolla with sweeping Pacific views, Birch Aquarium is the public face of Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Its Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery, which opened in May 2025, is a must-see: a giant Pacific octopus, a “life on the pilings” Scripps Pier habitat, an Open Ocean habitat with a rescued loggerhead sea turtle, and a tropical coral habitat more than four times the size of the old one.
Outside, the Little Blue Penguins and Tide Pool Plaza keep kids busy, and the Seahorse Tour (included with admission) explains the aquarium’s seahorse breeding program.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in January–February and October–December; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from March 1 through Labor Day. Last entry is one hour before closing. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Admission: Adults (18–59) $26.95, children (3–17) $24.95, and kids 2 and under are free. See the website for senior and student rates. Advance reservations are required.
Parking: Free 3-hour parking, with full-day permits sold at Guest Services.
Parent tip: The entire aquarium is wheelchair and stroller friendly, with ramps at Tide Pool Plaza and the penguins.
Official site: Birch Aquarium plan your visit
500 SeaWorld Dr.
San Diego, CA 92109
SeaWorld is a theme park first, but its aquarium exhibits are some of the most impressive in Southern California. The reimagined Shark Encounter features an underwater tunnel with 11 shark species, including sand tiger sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and the endangered Australian leopard shark.
Don’t skip the Penguin Encounter, the newly refreshed Bayside Aquarium, the Explorer’s Reef touch pools near the entrance, and Bat Ray Shallows. At Ocean Explorer, kids can spot a giant Pacific octopus, moray eels, and Japanese spider crabs, and at Sea Lion Point, you can feed the sea lions.
Hours: Vary by date. Check the park calendar before you go.
Admission: Date-based pricing. Online tickets start at $59.99 for ages 3+. Upgrades like the Shark Up-Close Encounter tour ($49.99, ages 6+) cost extra.
Parking: General parking is $35, and prices vary by season.
Official site: SeaWorld San Diego aquariums and exhibits
One LEGOLAND Dr.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Right next to LEGOLAND California (with its own entrance), SEA LIFE Aquarium Carlsbad is home to more than 5,000 marine creatures from over 350 species. The walk-through ocean tunnel, with sharks gliding overhead, never gets old, and the Interactive Rockpool lets kids touch sea stars and anemones.
Daily talks, feeding times, and the Dive Discovery show add structure to the visit, and animal lovers can book behind-the-scenes add-ons like a Shark Feed or Reptile Encounter. The whole aquarium is indoors and climate-controlled, which makes it one of the best indoor aquariums near me for hot or rainy days.
Hours: Vary by day. Check the LEGOLAND hours page before you go.
Admission: SEA LIFE-only one-day tickets start at $25 per person (ages 2 and up). Some LEGOLAND tickets and Annual Passes include SEA LIFE.
Parking: LEGOLAND California car park, $40 for cars, with same-day re-entry.
Parent tip: Strollers aren’t allowed inside (except when the theme park is closed), so bring a carrier for little ones. SEA LIFE is a Certified Autism Center, and most visits take 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.
Official site: SEA LIFE Aquarium Carlsbad
1000 Gunpowder Point Dr.
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Another new addition for 2026, The Living Coast Discovery Center is a combined aquarium and wildlife center on San Diego Bay. It’s small, relaxed, and rarely crowded, which makes it a sweet spot for younger kids.
Families can enjoy shark and ray encounters, visit Turtle Lagoon, walk Raptor Row to see hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls, and catch keeper demonstrations throughout the day.
Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Admission: Adults (13+) $22, children 3–12 $16, students and seniors (65+) $19.80. Kids 2 and under are free. Pre-purchased tickets aren’t required.
Parking: Free. A free, stroller-accessible shuttle takes you from the lot to the center (last pickup at 4:30 p.m.), and it’s the only safe way in, since there’s no pedestrian path.
Official site: The Living Coast Discovery Center
Central Coast Aquariums Worth the Road Trip
211 Stearns Wharf
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Sitting out on historic Stearns Wharf, the Sea Center is the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s ocean-focused sister campus. Head to the Wet Deck touch pools, which include a live shark touch pool, and let the kids crawl through a 1,500-gallon tide pool tank (yes, crawl through it).
The “Dive In: Our Changing Channel” exhibit brings the Santa Barbara Channel to life, and you’ll also meet two-spot octopus and moon jellies. It’s a perfect stop on a Santa Barbara weekend.
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Admission: Adults (18–64) $17, teens (13–17) and seniors (65+) $15, children (2–12) $13, and kids under 2 are free. SNAP/CalFresh $5. Advance tickets aren’t required.
Parking: The first 90 minutes of parking on Stearns Wharf are free.
Official site: Sea Center at Stearns Wharf
50 San Juan St.
Avila Beach, CA 93424
Heading up the coast toward San Luis Obispo? Central Coast Aquarium is a charming, budget-friendly road-trip stop just steps from the sand in Avila Beach. This small two-room aquarium packs in 14 exhibits and more than 75 local species, plus touch tanks for curious hands.
Families with preschoolers should look into the “Big Fish Little Fish” parent-and-child program.
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Adults (13–59) $15, children 3–12 $13, seniors and military $12. Kids 2 and under are free. No reservations required.
Parking: Free street parking nearby, plus a paid public lot on 1st St. for $8 per day. Summer parking can be competitive, so the free Avila Trolley is worth a look.
Official site: Central Coast Aquarium
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
It’s a drive from LA, but Monterey Bay Aquarium is a bucket-list stop for any ocean-loving family. The towering Kelp Forest, the Open Sea galleries, and the famously playful sea otters make it feel like you’re peeking into Monterey Bay itself.
Mark your calendar: a new exhibit, Ocean in Motion / La Danza del Mar, opens November 7, 2026, with an expanded African penguin habitat, big-bellied seahorses, and coral reefs.
Hours: Vary by date. Check the aquarium’s schedule before you go.
Admission: Adults (18–69) $65, youth (5–17) and seniors (70+) $50. Kids 4 and under are free. No reservation is needed for general admission, but buying ahead is recommended.
Parking: No on-site public parking. Use nearby garages, lots, and metered street parking.
Parent tip: Free sensory bags, noise-reduction headphones, and a nursing lounge are available, and caregivers get in free.
Official site: Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets
Bay Area Aquariums for Your Next Family Vacation
55 Music Concourse Dr., Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
Aquarium, rainforest, planetarium, and natural history museum, all under one living roof. The Steinhart Aquarium inside the California Academy of Sciences holds more than 1,000 species, including the dazzling Philippine Coral Reef, African penguins, and Methuselah, billed as the world’s oldest fish in human care.
Save time for the four-story Osher Rainforest and a show at Morrison Planetarium (shows require reservations and aren’t recommended for kids under 7).
Hours: Monday–Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last entry is at 4 p.m.
Admission: Regular/peak pricing: adults (19+) $49/$55, youth (13–18) $45/$49, children (3–12) $39/$45. Kids 2 and under are free.
Parking: Music Concourse Garage, $5 per hour on weekdays and $6 per hour on weekends. Muni’s 44 bus stops at the Academy.
Official site: California Academy of Sciences hours and admission
PIER 39, The Embarcadero & Beach St.
San Francisco, CA 94133
Pair a PIER 39 stroll with a peek beneath San Francisco Bay. Aquarium of the Bay’s two underwater tunnels stretch 300 feet through more than 750,000 gallons of Bay water, where sevengill, leopard, and soupfin sharks cruise right over your head.
At the Touch the Bay touch pools, kids can gently touch juvenile bat rays, skates, and sharks, and the North American river otters are pure entertainment. Plan about 90 minutes.
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.). Closed December 25.
Admission: At the door: adults (13–64) $28.25, children (4–12) $20.25, seniors (65+) $24.25. Online tickets add a web fee, and peak pricing applies on some days.
Parking: No dedicated lot. Use the PIER 39 or Pier 35 garages (no validation), or take BART or Muni to Embarcadero Station.
Official site: Aquarium of the Bay
Tips for Visiting Aquariums With Kids
A little planning goes a long way, especially if you have toddlers. Here’s what we’ve learned:
Reserve ahead where it’s required. Aquarium of the Pacific requires reservations on weekends and holidays, Birch Aquarium requires advance reservations, and the Marine Mammal Care Center asks visitors to book online.
Go early or on a weekday. Touch tanks and shark tunnels are much more fun without a wall of strollers.
Stretch your budget with free aquariums. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Roundhouse Aquarium, and the Marine Mammal Care Center are all free (donations appreciated).
Ask about sensory support. Aquarium of the Pacific and Monterey Bay Aquarium offer free sensory bags, and SEA LIFE Carlsbad is a Certified Autism Center.
Check the stroller and food rules. SEA LIFE Carlsbad doesn’t allow strollers, and several aquariums don’t allow outside food.
Double-check hours the day before. Many smaller aquariums are open only on weekends or afternoons, and hours change by season.
Takeaway
The best aquariums near me aren’t always the biggest. Sure, the Aquarium of the Pacific and Monterey Bay Aquarium deliver the wow factor, but a free afternoon at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, a pier-side visit to the Roundhouse, or a quiet morning watching rescued sea lions in San Pedro can spark just as much ocean love.
Pick one close to home, pack snacks and a change of clothes (touch tanks are splashy), and let your kids lead the way. Before you know it, they’ll be the ones teaching you the difference between a bat ray and a skate.
Aquariums Near Me: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Los Angeles have an aquarium?
Yes. The best-known aquarium in the Los Angeles area is the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. LA County also has smaller favorites, including Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro, Heal the Bay Aquarium under the Santa Monica Pier, and the Roundhouse Aquarium in Manhattan Beach.
Are there free aquariums near me in Los Angeles?
Yes. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Roundhouse Aquarium, and the Marine Mammal Care Center are free, with suggested donations at Cabrillo and the Roundhouse. Heal the Bay Aquarium is low-cost, with kids 3 and under free.
Which Southern California aquariums have sharks?
You’ll find sharks at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Shark Lagoon, SeaWorld San Diego’s Shark Encounter tunnel, the SEA LIFE Aquarium ocean tunnel in Carlsbad, the Roundhouse Aquarium, the Living Coast Discovery Center, the Ocean Institute’s shark and ray touch tank, and the Sea Center’s live shark touch pool.
What is the best aquarium in Southern California for toddlers?
Smaller aquariums tend to work best for toddlers. Heal the Bay Aquarium, the Roundhouse Aquarium, and the Sea Center in Santa Barbara all have touch tanks and quick layouts, and SEA LIFE Carlsbad is fully indoors (just leave the stroller in the car).
Do I need reservations to visit an aquarium in Southern California?
It depends. The Aquarium of the Pacific requires reservations on weekends and holidays, Birch Aquarium requires advance reservations, and the Marine Mammal Care Center asks you to reserve online. Most other aquariums on our list welcome walk-ins, but buying ahead can save time.
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