Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post in any way shape or form. All images and opinions are property of Maribel Reyes/Stroller Adventures as well as content. Links were added to make it easier on our readers to find accurate information. This post is intended to share with you another fun and learning adventure you and your family may enjoy.
Since moving to Northern California we have been meaning to take the kids to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, finally the day to visit it came a couple of weekends ago on a Saturday morning we got ready and prepped some snacks as we took the road towards our adventure.
Our toddler son is always asking about puffer fish, sea stars, rays, jelly fish and sea horses. This explains my fintastic board on Pinterest :D {In case you were wondering}
We arrived in beautiful Monterey after a short drive, there are several parking options in Cannery Row. All of them run an average of $15 - $20 a day. I highly suggest you park in one of these private parking lots since parking on the street is a bit tricky since there are not so many spaces for it. We parked at the corner of Hoffman St. and Wave. It was well within walking distance of the Aquarium and across the street they had public restrooms and an ATM {parking is cash only at this location}.
After a short 10 minute walk to the aquarium we were ready to see lots of sea life :D After we purchased our admission we decided to go see the Giant Pacific Octopus it was mostly still and seemed as if it were sleeping, we got to see one of the 2 that are on display. Inside that same tank we saw a large anemone it was so interesting to see it move.
We then walked over to the Rocky Shore Exhibit, it on the main level. There we saw Sea Stars and "waves" crashing onto a wall and window. I honestly was expecting waves crashing from the ocean on this wall. It is actually a display created and designed by humans. It was fun to see our children's reaction to the "wave" crashing and how design played into it. We spent about a good 30 minutes since the kids were enjoying touching the sea star and learning all about it. I worked up the courage to touch a sea star, the texture is a bit rough but not at all what I expected.
Outside the Rocky Shore Exhibit is a large deck with binoculars and a member of the Aquarium's team who is helping out guests see out to the ocean and search of animals in the wild. They also respond to questions like: "which is the largest whale?" as my 7 year old kept asking until she got an answer {the blue whale which measures anywhere from 69 - 90+ feet!}. So far that day this is what they had seen:
As we walked up the stairs towards the second level we noticed that the tank we saw on the main level was also in the second level {that is one big tank!} to the left is the snack bar area and to the right is the Splash Zone and Penguin exhibit.
As we walked towards the Penguin exhibit we couldn't help enjoying some lobster and eels in the same tank, it was fun to watch the lobsters move around one another as if they were communicating then we proceeded towards the splash zone where the exhibits are interactive and a great place for children.
There are tanks with water that are at a child's viewing level, smocks to prevent children from getting wet while playing there, plastic animals and kelp as well as handles and knobs that create waves and movement. In this area we practically spent most of our visit as both our 3 year old and 7 year old were enjoying playing with water.
There is also a small maze that has several small tanks that exhibit fish, eels, crabs and a stamping station at the end of it in which you can stamp a card with 4 different animals.
I have always been fascinated by seahorses, they are so delicate and move so quickly. Since I first saw the leafy sea dragon in San Diego I have been head over heels how beautiful it is. At the Monterey Bay Aquarium they have an entire exhibit dedicated to sea horses called the Secret Life of Sea horses, so imagine how excited I was to be there! It was simply breathtaking with lovely instrumental music in the background and dim lighting it was the perfect combination to enjoy this marvelous animal.
The "open sea" exhibit was nice, however we did not get to see as many animals as we thought and expected. We barely caught sight of the turtle as it swam by but that was about it.
Our visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium was lots of fun and a great learning experience for our children and for us. It is a great place to take your family when visiting Monterey California. Admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium is $34.95 per adult and $21.95 per child, hours vary by season and day of the week to find out more and plan your trip more accurately please visit their site's Aquarium Events Calendar tab.
If you are visiting with a stroller or wheelchair there are elevators to move from one floor to another, there are also assigned areas for stroller parking while you enjoy the exhibits. We purchased our lunch from the snack bar on the second level and enjoyed it there as we watched anchovies swim in circles, it was quite fascinating to us. You may also enjoy your lunch at the main level where there are outdoor benches overlooking the ocean. Make sure you plan on visiting most of the day so you can enjoy each exhibit to the fullest.
Outside the Rocky Shore Exhibit is a large deck with binoculars and a member of the Aquarium's team who is helping out guests see out to the ocean and search of animals in the wild. They also respond to questions like: "which is the largest whale?" as my 7 year old kept asking until she got an answer {the blue whale which measures anywhere from 69 - 90+ feet!}. So far that day this is what they had seen:
As we walked up the stairs towards the second level we noticed that the tank we saw on the main level was also in the second level {that is one big tank!} to the left is the snack bar area and to the right is the Splash Zone and Penguin exhibit.
As we walked towards the Penguin exhibit we couldn't help enjoying some lobster and eels in the same tank, it was fun to watch the lobsters move around one another as if they were communicating then we proceeded towards the splash zone where the exhibits are interactive and a great place for children.
There are tanks with water that are at a child's viewing level, smocks to prevent children from getting wet while playing there, plastic animals and kelp as well as handles and knobs that create waves and movement. In this area we practically spent most of our visit as both our 3 year old and 7 year old were enjoying playing with water.
There is also a small maze that has several small tanks that exhibit fish, eels, crabs and a stamping station at the end of it in which you can stamp a card with 4 different animals.
I have always been fascinated by seahorses, they are so delicate and move so quickly. Since I first saw the leafy sea dragon in San Diego I have been head over heels how beautiful it is. At the Monterey Bay Aquarium they have an entire exhibit dedicated to sea horses called the Secret Life of Sea horses, so imagine how excited I was to be there! It was simply breathtaking with lovely instrumental music in the background and dim lighting it was the perfect combination to enjoy this marvelous animal.
The Jellies Experience exactly what our family imagined, a groovy exhibit that had groovy music and lighting effects that were paired excellently with each tank that is on exhibit. I particularly loved watching how they moved since it seemed the music was at the same rhythm as the jellies.
Towards the end of our visit we made our way to an extraordinary exhibit in which plastic items were up-cycled and turned into art pieces. At first sight we didn't notice the spoons or milk jug handles, however as we read on the sign for each piece we found ourselves amazed at the artistry and how much trash as humans we produce. It is important to take conscious about our mother earth and care for nature as much as possible. Making little changes as using cloth towels instead of paper towels, reusable bags instead of plastic ones when we grocery shop and be mindful every time we visit our local beach of cleaning up after ourselves.
The "open sea" exhibit was nice, however we did not get to see as many animals as we thought and expected. We barely caught sight of the turtle as it swam by but that was about it.
Our visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium was lots of fun and a great learning experience for our children and for us. It is a great place to take your family when visiting Monterey California. Admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium is $34.95 per adult and $21.95 per child, hours vary by season and day of the week to find out more and plan your trip more accurately please visit their site's Aquarium Events Calendar tab.
If you are visiting with a stroller or wheelchair there are elevators to move from one floor to another, there are also assigned areas for stroller parking while you enjoy the exhibits. We purchased our lunch from the snack bar on the second level and enjoyed it there as we watched anchovies swim in circles, it was quite fascinating to us. You may also enjoy your lunch at the main level where there are outdoor benches overlooking the ocean. Make sure you plan on visiting most of the day so you can enjoy each exhibit to the fullest.
Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post in any way shape or form. All images and opinions are property of Maribel Reyes/Stroller Adventures as well as content. Links were added to make it easier on our readers to find accurate information. This post is intended to share with you another fun and learning adventure you and your family may enjoy.
