How to Plan a Visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific

Updated

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST, and you can buy tickets or memberships directly on the official website. The key planning detail to know up front: reservations are required on weekends and holidays, so if your visit falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, book before you go. Parking is available, and the site offers a live chat line (9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. PST) plus a phone number, (562) 590-3100, for questions.

Before You Go: What to Confirm

Item Detail
Hours 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. PST
Reservation rule Required on weekends and holidays
Tickets Purchased through the website ("Buy Tickets")
Membership Available through the website ("Buy Membership")
Parking Available (see site for details)
Contact (562) 590-3100; Live Chat 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. PST

Because the site lists admission prices but does not publish them in the material available here, check the current price on the ticketing page before you commit. The same applies to parking rates.

Step-by-Step Planning

  1. Pick your date and check the reservation requirement. If it's a weekend or holiday, you'll need a reservation. Weekdays are the simpler option if you want to avoid that step.
  2. Buy your ticket or membership online. The site's "Buy Tickets" and "Buy Membership" options are the direct route. If you plan to visit more than once, compare the membership option against single admission.
  3. Plan around the hours. The aquarium closes at 4:30 p.m., so a morning or early-afternoon arrival gives you the most time. Note that hours are listed in PST.
  4. Arrange parking. Parking is offered; confirm the current process and cost on the site or by phone before arriving.
  5. Download the visitor app. The Aquarium Visitor Guide mobile app is offered on the site and can help you navigate once you're inside.

What You Can See and Do

The aquarium's draw is its marine life and rotating exhibits. Current highlights promoted on the site include:

  • Jelly Dreamscapes — a new immersive sea jelly experience featuring species never before shown at the aquarium, with a focus on animal care for these creatures.
  • HoloTheater — the Ocean Theater converted into a holographic viewing experience (info and tickets available).
  • Undersea Explorer VR — a 360° live-action immersive viewing experience.
  • Boat Adventures — cruises to see whales, dolphins, and sea lions.
  • Meatloaf the sea turtle — a rescued turtle over two hundred pounds, viewable in a new rehabilitation area starting April 8, 2026.
  • Two new sea otters — a rescued pup named Sunny and an adult named Rey, both deemed nonreleasable and hoped to become surrogate mothers.

The site also runs virtual events (for example, Food Webs and Incredible Invertebrates) and family programming like Scarium Family Night, so it's worth checking the Upcoming Events calendar if you want to time your visit around something specific.

Common Snags to Avoid

  • Showing up on a weekend without a reservation. This is the most likely trip-ruiner given the stated policy.
  • Arriving late in the day. With a 4:30 p.m. close, a late-afternoon start leaves little time for the exhibits plus any add-ons like the VR experience or HoloTheater.
  • Assuming add-ons are included. HoloTheater and boat adventures are listed with their own info/tickets, so treat them as separate from general admission unless the site says otherwise.

If you have a question the website doesn't answer, the phone line and live chat (9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. PST) are the fastest ways to confirm details before your trip.