Top 6 Aquariums in Los Angeles - 2023

Updated Sep 2023

No.1
4 photos
Aquarium of the Pacific
4.4/5
65 Reviews

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Long Beach
2.1km from downtown

Aquariums
"It’s was fun. Only took about a hour to tour the whole place. But a lot of sea life to explore and learn about. Not sure if it’s always like this but it was very busy on a Monday and the water in the tanks was pretty dirty. There’s a bird exhibit where you can interact with the birds so if you’re into birds its a nice place to visit, overall."
Highlights:
The journey through the Pacific Rim unfolds as you are guided through three major regions of the Pacific Ocean: Southern California/Baja, the Northern Pacific, and the Tropical Pacific. The exhibits introduce the inhabitants and seascapes of the Pacific Ocean, while also focusing on specific conservation messages associated with each region. As you enter the Aquarium’s vast Great Hall of the Pacific, a full-scale model of a blue whale, the largest animal in the world, floats above your head. Visitors are given a preview of what awaits in the Aquarium’s main galleries, including an up-close look at Southern California/Baja, with the nearly three-story-tall Honda Blue Cavern exhibit, home to barracuda and other kelp forest fish.
The temperature and atmosphere undergo a drastic change as you enter the Northern Pacific gallery and are introduced to the ice-cold waters of Alaska, Russia, and northern Japan. Puffins and other diving birds nest overhead and “fly” underwater, while the sea otters frolic in a nearby habitat. After leaving the mesmerizing sea jellies and a giant Pacific octopus, bright sea stars and giant Japanese spider crabs await visitors.
Leaving the frigid world of the Northern Pacific, Aquarium explorers burst into the sun-splashed paradise of the Tropical Pacific gallery. From coral lagoons to deep reefs, this gallery represents the areas surrounding the islands of the Palau, Hawaii, and Indonesia. Visitors are introduced to a coral lagoon with colorful fish and exhibits featuring seahorses and more. In the Aquarium’s largest exhibit by volume, the Tropical Reef Habitat, sharks and colorful sea life swirl around visitors in a tunnel and through various viewing windows.
On the Aquarium’s Harbor Terrace with ocean views, you can experience the Moon Jelly Touch exhibit where you can carefully touch these delicate and mesmerizing creatures. Continue on your journey into the Lorikeet Forest aviary to feed this colorful Australian bird species. As you exit the aviary, you can learn about the importance of fresh water and what you can do to conserve it in the Our Water Future exhibit. Then, you can visit the Southern California Steelhead Story exhibit, where you can see and learn about a local fish that can change its body to live in both freshwater rivers and the ocean. Visitors can see large sharks and rays in the Shark Lagoon’s main habitat and touch tropical species of sharks and rays in its 2 touch pools. Adjacent to Shark Lagoon, you will find the Molina Animal Care Center, where you can learn how the Aquarium cares for its animals. On the second floor outdoors, you will find the Seals and Sea Lions Habitat. The upper floor is home to the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, the Ray Touch Pool with bat rays and shovelnose guitarfish, and the Shorebird Sanctuary featuring local wetlands species, including fish and rescued birds.
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No.2
4 photos
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
4.2/5
10 Reviews

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San Pedro
2.6km from downtown

Aquariums
"Here you can see the tropical fish that are usually difficult to see, many fish can not be named, and some are rare conservation animals. Several different areas have special guidance. This visit to the aquarium is really worthwhile."
No.3
Age of Aquariums
5.0/5
1 Reviews

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Signal Hill
90m from downtown

Aquariums
"I've been here once before so I can compare it. It's not a big ocean aquarium, but there are lots of fish, there are glass corridors, if you look up you can see sharks and other small fish. Nice place, suitable for taking children with you."
No.4
4 photos
Rainforest Aquarium
5.0/5
2 Reviews

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Monterey Park
936m from downtown

Aquariums
"[View] I like all animals, I also spent 4 euros for a bottle of feed to feed brocade, the price is very good, I got a small list from the hotel I stayed at, and the single ticket was 10% off. I was going to see dolphins, but sharks are cool."
No.5
Robert K. Mukai Aquarium Services
5.0/5
1 Reviews

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Torrance
1.2km from downtown

Aquariums
"After a walk around the city that day, I passed with a few friends. It was raining heavily that day, and we thought it was an indoor event, and there were amazingly few people queuing to buy tickets. I think 20 euros is a bit expensive, 15 euros is more real. The fish and animals here look well raised and enjoyable. I recommend it to friends who like to see these animals and don't want to spend much time waiting. The only thing that disappointed me was the price in the restaurant - there were so many people in the queue, the price was expensive, and the food was not good"
No.6
Ocean Marine Sales
4.0/5
1 Reviews

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Covina
2km from downtown

Aquariums
"Lots of different activities to do on the water! Bring your sunglasses and pack to be on the go with your essentials. Great places nearby to eat and enjoy a view."