Giant Pacific Octopus
Observe one of the ocean's most intelligent creatures — the giant Pacific octopus. Watch as it uses its eight arms to explore, solve puzzles, and interact with enrichment activities provided by aquarists.
Top Attractions in Monterey, CA
Museums, zoos, landmarks, and must-see attractions in Monterey, CA. The best spots for locals and visitors.
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Rocky Shore & Tide Pools
A hands-on touch pool area where visitors can gently touch sea stars, hermit crabs, and sea cucumbers. Learn about the intertidal zone and the resilient creatures that live there.
Monterey Jazz Festival
Monterey Jazz hosts the world’s longest-running jazz festival and is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of jazz artists year-round.
Monterey Bay Habitats
Explore the diverse habitats of Monterey Bay, from rocky reefs to sandy seafloor. See bat rays, flatfish, crabs, and other local species in recreated underwater environments.
Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
KOA Holiday campground near Watsonville — family-focused with upgraded amenities, activities, and deluxe cabins.
Into the Deep
Explore the mysteries of the deep sea in this groundbreaking exhibit featuring bioluminescent creatures, giant isopods, and other rarely-seen animals from the ocean's twilight zone and beyond. Sections include Down to the Deep, The Midwater, The...
Monterey Bay Aquarium
World-class aquarium on Cannery Row. Kelp forest, sea otters, open ocean exhibit, and jellyfish.
Sandy Shore & Aviary
An outdoor exhibit featuring shorebirds including snowy plovers, black-necked stilts, and other coastal birds in a naturalistic sandy habitat.
Sea Otters
Meet rescued southern sea otters in this beloved exhibit. Watch daily feedings and learn about the aquarium's pioneering Sea Otter Program, which has helped raise and release orphaned sea otter pups back into the wild since 1984.
Life on the Bay
Discover the wildlife of Monterey Bay through interactive exhibits and live animal displays showcasing the rich biodiversity of the local marine environment.
Open Sea
A million-gallon exhibit showcasing the open ocean ecosystem with yellowfin tuna, hammerhead sharks, ocean sunfish, sea turtles, and massive schools of sardines. Features one of the largest single-pane windows in the world.
Kelp Forest
A towering 28-foot-tall living kelp forest exhibit — one of the tallest aquarium exhibits in the world. Watch leopard sharks, sardines, and other fish swim through swaying kelp fronds in this recreation of a Monterey Bay kelp forest ecosystem.
Navigating College Admissions
Do you know what it takes to get into your choice college? Are you taking the right classes? Learn all about college admissions from Pacific Collegiate School's college counselor, Maiya Marshall. Maiya has attended over 200 college tours in the US and Canada and has guided and advised high school...
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