Skip the Ticketing Line: Aquarium of the Pacific General Admission Ticket

At the Aquarium of the Pacific, one visit takes you from cold northern waters to tropical reefs without leaving Long Beach. Shark Lagoon, the penguins and the lorikeet enclosure give you plenty to see, while touch pools and interactive areas add hands-on moments for children.

I like two things in particular: your ticket lets you skip the regular ticket line, and the exhibits cover a wide stretch of the Pacific, from Alaska to Micronesia. The included Pacific Visions and 4D movie also add variety beyond the animal habitats.

One consideration: the ticket costs $44.95 per person, and popular feeding activities cost extra. The aquarium can also feel busy when school groups or day camps are visiting, so timing may affect how easily you reach the exhibits.

Key points to know before you go

• Explore 19 Pacific habitats: See animals and environments from Southern California and Baja to the Northern and Tropical Pacific.
• Scan your mobile ticket at the marked gate: Pick up a complimentary guidebook after you enter.
• Allow around three hours: You can move at your own pace, but expect plenty of walking between galleries.
• Some hands-on activities cost extra: Lorikeet and jellyfish feedings, animal encounters and behind-the-scenes tours are not included.
• Parking is $8 with aquarium validation: Public transit is also an option, with a free Long Beach Passport bus serving the area.
• Admission includes Pacific Visions and a 4D movie: Check the day’s program and show times when you arrive.

From Alaska to the Tropical Pacific

The aquarium’s main pleasure is the change of setting. In one visit, you can move from the chilly Northern Pacific to sunny Southern California and Baja, then on to the colorful Tropical Pacific. That range makes the experience feel broader than a single tour of local marine life.

The aquarium has 19 wildlife habitats, with creatures including seals, sea lions, sea otters, sharks, tropical fish, sea stars, an octopus and penguins. You will not see every animal in every gallery, of course, but the variety gives families and curious adults plenty of reasons to pause and look closely.

Pick up the complimentary guidebook at the entrance. It includes a map and facts that can help you make sense of the habitats, and it gives children something to follow as you go. Maps are also available in several translated versions at the Information Desk, including Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Korean.

The route is yours to plan. If you have a short visit, start with the animals you most want to see and leave time for the interactive areas. If you have children with you, keep the schedule loose: one touch pool or feeding opportunity can take longer than expected.

Shark Lagoon, penguins and the animal encounters

Shark Lagoon is a natural priority if you want to see the aquarium’s larger predators. It brings you close to sharks and other marine animals, with a focus on the species that command attention even from people who are not normally aquarium enthusiasts. The lagoon is also a good place to slow down and watch rather than hurry from tank to tank.

The Magellanic Penguins offer a different sort of appeal. Their movements and social behavior can be fun to watch, especially for children who want more than a static view through glass. Seals and sea lions are another popular stop, and the aquarium’s viewing area overlooks their habitat.

Touch pools let you encounter some marine life at close range. Staff supervise these areas, which can help a cautious child feel more at ease. If your child is hesitant, there is no need to push; watching other people first is a perfectly good way to start.

For an extra-fee activity, you can feed nectar to lorikeets in the Lorikeet Forest or brine shrimp to moon jellies. The bird enclosure is a favorite stop for people who want an active encounter, but the feeding is not part of general admission. Animal encounters with sharks and rays, seals and sea lions, penguins or feathered friends also cost extra and require a reservation at least 48 hours ahead.

Pacific Visions and the 4D movie

Your general admission includes entrance to Pacific Visions and a 4D movie, so there is more to do than look at exhibits. These options can break up a long walk through the galleries, and they give you a change of pace if you are visiting with children.

The aquarium’s program may include timed presentations or other activities. Take a picture of the schedule when you arrive, then use it to plan your route. This is a small step that can save you from crossing the building twice or missing a show you hoped to see.

Special exhibits can change. A Frogs: Facing a Changing World exhibit was announced to open on May 24, 2024, but that date alone does not confirm it is still on view. Check the aquarium’s current exhibit information before your visit if frogs are a main reason for going.

How long to stay, and when to arrive

The advertised visit takes about three hours. That is a sensible estimate if you want to see the main habitats, stop at several exhibits and take a break. Without children or lengthy stops, you may finish in less time; with kids, feeding activities or a show, plan for a longer outing.

Hours are listed as 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The aquarium is closed on December 25. Check the current schedule before setting out, especially if you are building the visit around a particular show or exhibit.

School groups and day camps can make a noticeable difference to the pace of a visit. One practical approach is to arrive early or choose a weekday if your schedule allows, though no time guarantees a quiet aquarium. At busy periods, you may have to wait your turn at touch pools or work around groups gathered at popular viewing areas.

The reservation time on your ticket is the earliest time you may enter. You can scan it any time after that time begins on the selected day. The mobile ticket lets you bypass the regular ticket line and head to the marked entrance gate, where staff scan your phone.

Is $44.95 good value?

At $44.95 per person, this is not a quick, low-cost stop. The value depends on how much time you spend with the exhibits and whether the animals and habitats interest you. Admission covers all galleries, Pacific Visions and a 4D movie, so a three-hour visit gives you a fair amount to do for the price.

Families should calculate the total before they go. Children under three enter free, but food, drinks and animal feedings are extra. Special animal encounters, behind-the-scenes tours and harbor cruises also have separate costs. The add-ons can make the outing more memorable, but you do not need them to see the main galleries.

The aquarium has a café, Café Scuba, overlooking the seals and sea lions. It serves items such as sandwiches, salads, burgers and pizza, with vegetarian choices available. Food and drinks are not included in admission, so you can either budget for a meal there or plan to eat elsewhere.

Parking costs $8 for the day with aquarium validation. That is convenient if you are driving, though it is worth accounting for the fee as part of the outing. If you prefer transit, the aquarium is about half a mile from the Transit Mall, roughly a 10-minute downhill walk from the Blue Line and major bus lines. Long Beach Transit’s free Passport bus is another option.

Getting there and making the visit easier

The Aquarium of the Pacific is at 100 Aquarium Way in Long Beach, about 25 miles south of Los Angeles. That distance matters if you are staying in central Los Angeles: leave time for the drive or transit journey rather than treating the aquarium as a quick hop between nearby attractions.

If you drive, the aquarium parking structure is near Shoreline Drive, between Chestnut Place and Aquarium Way. Ask for parking validation inside to receive the $8 day rate. If you take public transit, walk south on Pine Avenue from the Transit Mall toward the water, turn right at The Paseo, then left onto Aquarium Way.

The aquarium and its exhibits are wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge at the Information Desk. Service animals are welcome, though some exhibit areas may not permit them because of the animals and setting.

The building involves a fair amount of walking, so comfortable shoes are useful. Café Scuba and snack locations can provide a break, and the surrounding waterfront has places to eat after your visit. If you are bringing small children, the guidebook and a flexible route can help keep the day manageable.

Who will enjoy this aquarium most?

This is an easy fit for families who like animal exhibits, hands-on learning and a visit that can fill several hours. Children can move between viewing windows and interactive areas, while adults can focus on the different Pacific environments and the staff-led learning opportunities. The aquarium’s range also makes it a reasonable choice for mixed-age groups, where not everyone has the same favorite animal.

Couples and solo visitors can enjoy it too, especially if they like marine life and are happy to spend time observing. You can see the main galleries in a couple of hours, but the aquarium is more rewarding when you do not treat it like a checklist. Choose a few habitats to linger over and fit in the 4D movie or a presentation if the schedule suits.

If you expect a huge amusement attraction, this may feel modest for the price. It is an aquarium, not a full day of rides, and the visit can be less satisfying when crowds block the exhibits or special areas are closed. Go for the animals, the Pacific habitats and the learning experience, not for a packed schedule of included thrills.

Should you book the Aquarium of the Pacific?

Book this ticket if you want a self-paced aquarium visit with a broad range of Pacific habitats, strong family appeal and useful included extras like Pacific Visions and the 4D movie. The mobile entry is convenient, and the ticket’s flexible validity gives you options if your plans change.

It is a less compelling choice if you are looking for a low-cost activity, expect every feeding or encounter to be included, or have little interest in marine life. Check current exhibits and show times before you go, and set aside money for food or optional activities. For a curious family or marine-life fan with a few hours in Long Beach, it can make a worthwhile and engaging stop.

FAQ

Where is the Aquarium of the Pacific?

It is at 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, California 90802, about 25 miles south of Los Angeles.

How long should I plan for the visit?

Plan for about three hours. Your pace, the exhibits you choose and any shows or activities can make the visit shorter or longer.

What are the aquarium’s opening hours?

The aquarium is listed as open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. It is closed on December 25.

Does admission include Pacific Visions and the 4D movie?

Yes. General admission includes entrance to Pacific Visions and a 4D movie.

Are animal feedings included in the ticket?

No. Animal feedings, such as feeding lorikeets or moon jellies, cost extra.

Is parking available?

Yes. The aquarium parking structure is close by, and parking costs $8 for the day with aquarium validation.

Can I reach the aquarium by public transportation?

Yes. It is about half a mile from the Transit Mall, around a 10-minute downhill walk from the Blue Line and major bus lines. Long Beach Transit’s free Passport bus is another option.

Are children under three charged admission?

No. Children under three enter free with an accompanying adult.

Can I change my visit date or time?

The ticket information says you can make a new free reservation through the aquarium’s reservation website. Tickets are valid for a year from purchase, and you may scan your ticket after the new reservation time begins that day.

Is the aquarium wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The aquarium and its exhibits are wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available to check out free of charge at the Information Desk.