cabrillo marine aquarium vs aquarium of the pacific

Housed in a building designed by the famed Frank Gehry, the CMA has been educating people about marine life since 1935 and boasts the largest collection of Southern California marine life in the world. Photo: LeTania Kirkland Smith Cabrillo Marine Aquarium If you’re not ready for that much commitment, purchase a basic “Behind-The-Scenes Tour” ($19 in addition to admission), which gives you access to sections of the aquarium not open to the public (guests must be 7 and up). You can also purchase access to Animal Encounters experiences ($109 per person) where you can get a behind the scenes, private tour of the aquarium and some of its most in-demand inhabitants, including the penguins, sea lions, and even the sharks for a feeding.

In addition to the exhibits, the aquarium hosts family-friendly festivals open to the public, not to mention parent and me classes that explore specific animals or subjects through play and movement ($49 per parent/child combo). From the beautiful two-story tank that draws you in at the entrance to the smaller touch pools where your sea explorers can get hands-on with aquatic life, there is a lot to excited about. This aquarium houses over 11,000 animals! So whether the family wants to see fish, sea lions or penguins this museum has you covered. area, and totally worth putting on your must-see list if you haven’t been yet. This is the Big Kahuna of aquariums in the L.A. Photo: LeTania Kirkland Smith Aquarium of the Pacific

Cabrillo marine aquarium vs aquarium of the pacific