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Bay Wonders - Monterey Bay Aquarium

One of the world's best aquariums anchors the south end of Cannery Row. Nearly two million visitors each year visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium to get closer than they've ever been before to creatures such as lovable sea otters, ethereal jellies, penguins, sharks, and eels.

Best Of Cannery Row

From Tide Pools to the Deep Sea

The Monterey Bay Aquarium's award-winning exhibits and variety of sea animals make every visit remarkable. A few of the best-loved attractions include:

The one-million-gallon Outer Bay exhibit, home to the largest community of open-ocean animals to be found in any aquarium, including giant bluefin tuna, hammerhead sharks, and sea turtles.

The largest permanent collection of jellyfish species in the United States, drifting in a gorgeous display of ten-foot-long, lighted tanks.

The daily sea otter program, where trainers feed and train the aquarium's group of rambunctious sea otters, all of which are rescued animals that could no longer survive in the wild.

Splash Zone

Splash Zone is a fun-filled part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium made for kids...and kids love it here! The Splash Zone features colorful exhibits, live ocean animals kids can actually pick up, and hands-on family activities.

Hours & Information

Open every day except December 25:
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Daily
9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. May 26–Sept. 3 & Holidays
9:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. July 5–Sept. 2 (Sat. & Sun)

For more information and tickets, please visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium web site or call 831.648.4888 (Español: 800.555.3656).

Inspiration of Ed 'Doc' Ricketts

Located at the south end of Cannery Row at the site of the old Hovden Cannery, the Monterey Bay Aquarium pays tribute to Monterey's canning heritage and the fascinating sea-life discoveries of the marine biologist Ed Ricketts.

Ricketts lived and worked next to the Hovden Cannery and studied the tide pool life of the Monterey Bay. He was a close friend of John Steinbeck and the inspiration for the character 'Doc' in the book Cannery Row.

Ricketts was also the inspiration behind the idea of an aquarium built around the region's marine communities rather than individual species. Guests to the modern-day Monterey Bay Aquarium help support ocean research, understanding, and conservation.