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Aquarium of the Pacific

Photo Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific

Thanks to the Aquarium of the Pacific, the fifth-largest aquarium in the U.S., it's possible to experience the entire scope of the ocean's greatness without ever getting wet. The impressive facility is the size of three football fields and is home to more than 12,000 ocean animals. These creatures of the deep reside in 17 major habitats and 31 specialized exhibits, representing three Pacific regions: Southern California/Baja, Tropical Pacific, and Northern Pacific.

The aquarium plays host to creatures large and small, from the tiny "Mexican Lookdown," which is the size of a silver dollar, to a giant octopus. It contains all the species you'd expect to see at an aquarium-eels, seals, otters, green sea turtles, coral, and a multitude of fish-along with some you probably didn't know existed, like the wrasse, which changes its sex when necessary to propagate its species. It also features the unusual and delicate "weedy sea dragon," which looks like a cross between kelp and a sea horse. The aquarium made history in 2001 with the birth of the first aquarium-bred and raised weedy sea dragon hatchlings.

For the adventurous, the Explorer's Cove Shark Lagoon exhibit gives access to about 150 sharks. The more dangerous varieties are behind glass, but the gentler species swim in shallow pools and are accessible (and completely safe) for visitors to touch. Also in Explorer's Cove is Lorikeet Forest, a huge outdoor aviary that is home to more than 200 lorikeets (Australian parrots). You can purchase nectar in cups, which the lorikeets drink as you hold the cups.

Location
The Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, Calif. Driving directions and a map are available at the Aquarium of the Pacific Web site. A city parking lot is located near the aquarium entrance. When you show your aquarium ticket stub, the maximum daily rate is reduced from $7 to $6.

The aquarium also is accessible via public transportation. Take the Metro Blue Line to downtown Long Beach, then board a shuttle bus to the aquarium. (For information about the Metro Blue Line, call 1-800-COMMUTE.)

Hours of operation
The aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It's closed on Christmas, April 1, and during the weekend of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Cost

Adults	$18.75
Seniors (ages 60+)	$14.95
Children (ages 3–11)	$9.95

Annual memberships are also available at the following prices:

The tram tour costs $2 per person (in addition to admission charge), and the group tour is $20-25 per person, depending on the month. Rides on the "Enchanted Railroad," which runs on weekends only, cost $1.50 per person.

For more information on membership, visit the membership section of the Web site, or call (562) 437-FISH.

For more information on the variety of group rates available, see the group rates section on the Web site.

Contact information and reservations

• For general information, call (562) 590-3100 or send e-mail to membershipservices@lbaop.
• For group reservations, call (562) 951-1695.

Additional information
Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific Web site.

Please note
Cost, hours of operation, or other information about this attraction is subject to change without notice. We suggest you confirm with the attraction prior to your visit.