No matter how many times I have been, I always find myself enjoying a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. There is always something new to see. There are many scheduled shows-don't miss the otter feeding and the Kelp Garden show. Both are amazing. I would highly recommend making a reservation at the Portola Restaurant. There is a cafeteria style cafe (good idea to make a reservation there first as well) and a full service restaurant within the facility. The Restaurant offers an extraordinary menu with a full bar and wine service and each table has a set of high powered binoculars for wildlife watching on the bay. This is a wonderful option for older children or childless adults for lunch. The facility is exceptional including a state of the art facility that actually uses real ocean water for the health of the animals within the facility. A great white shark actually survived captivity the longest in history at this facility until released back into the wild, it is simply the best at conservation and the well being of the animals.

Without a doubt the best aquarium I've ever been to. Look for the bizarre sunfish in the big tank, check out the latest on the Aquarium's research projects and enjoy watching sea lions from the deck out back. Not only do they have great exhibits, MBA also is a leader in aquamarine research ranging from maintaining fragile marine ecosystems to sustainable aquaculture. Pick up their very helpful, credit-card-sized sustainable fish cards - they'll help you make sure when you eat fish you're eating only fish that is safe both for you and for the environment.

Very impressive indeed. All sorts of creatures to see, some that you can even touch. The aquarium is divided into sections, so if, for instance, you were afraid of jellyfish, you could avoid that section completely! It is definitely a place for the family though. I went there alone and felt that I was perhaps a little too grown up for it. I'm sure that the experience would have been far more magical if I had been there with my children. Nevertheless, very beautiful with amazing views over the sea. Truly spectacular!

A beautifull collection of seahorses, sea stars and other specific creatures, a 6m high kelp forest and cute sea otters. Last but not least there's also a big aquarium with several big tuna, sharks, rays, tens of thousands of sardines and all of them fighting for some food. Outside the aquarium, at the pier of monteray beach, you can literally swim with the sea lions. A bit further in the sea, with one of the many boat trips, one can see whales.

Whether you are individual or with full family members (with kids) traveler, Monterey Bay Aquarium is a splendid place to see and experience the marine life. Spare at least 2.5 hours time to stroll around. We can touch the starfish; enjoy the sea breeze at the open-air sea balcony, observe the jelly fish or deep sea creature up close and personal, or a big whale skeleton hanging above at one of the main site center.