Visiting San Francisco: The Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is often on many lists of places to take your kids and is considered one of best aquariums in the United States.  It is a great add-on to any trip to San Francisco. 

Situated roughly two and a half hours from the city of San Francisco, Monterey offers a number of great experiences and beautiful views. The Aquarium is HUGE!  There are three large multi story tanks with viewing on multiple levels, a room dedicated to jellyfish, another dedicated to animals with tentacles,another for penguins, etc. 

Monterey Bay Aquarium is also dedicated to informing their visitors about protecting habitat and wildlife and thus has MANY daily feeding and educational programs at each of their tanks.  In fact, I feel like every time we arrived at a tank they were doing a special educational feeding program.  My kids loved watching the sea otters in their two story tank.

Some visiting tips:

• Buy your tickets online.  Tickets are not date specific.  They just must be used within one year of purchase.  There is no discount to buying online but it will save you time in line.
• Get there early.  The museum opens at 9:30a and by 10a there was already a line to buy tickets around the corner (see the first tip).
• Plan to stay the day.  There are many restaurants within walking distance and you can get your hand stamped and come and go as you need.
• Parking is hard - save yourself a headache and park in the local garage
• Finally, take the time to look at the map, plan your visit and go slow.  There is so much to see and experience in a way that you and your children aren't used to in an aquarium.  Go at their place and wonder in their experiences.

---

About the Author:

Emily Hooke- Travel Advisor
Emily is a well versed traveller.  She has been to 5 continents, 34 states and countless cities.  Needless to say, Emily is passionate about traveling.  When not working as a school teacher or planning your vacations, Emily is on a plane or in the car with her kids and husband somewhere.   Emily has taken that passion for always having a well planned trip into her desire to help others.  Let her help you plan your next vacation.  Emily is a graduate of American University and has her Masters from Sacred Heart University. ​​