Monterey Bay Aquarium FULL TOUR | Is it the BEST Aquarium in the US?

Join me on a full tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Is it the best aquarium in the US? We think so.
While it doesn't boast the largest single tank (that award goes to the Georgia Aquarium), it does have some pretty amazing tanks, loads of interactive displays, and tons of great fish.
Our family absolutely loved the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Plan to spend all day here, and if you're visiting in the summer, be prepared to wait in long lines.
But we promise you that it's worth it. Don't believe us? See for yourself. In this video, we look at almost every exhibit the Monterey Bay Aquarium has to offer.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

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[@vincentx2850]

In terms of conservation, research, education and the display of not just animals but habitats, this is one of if not the best aquarium in the world.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Agreed! This is a phenomenal aquarium. We loved it.

[@kingjimmy1437]

Yeah its awesome

[@Fortniteman2217]

My uncle is one of the owners of this aquarium! I get backstage tours whenever I go and it’s super fun! I live far away on the east coast so I don’t go often. Love to see videos like this!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

That’s awesome! We had such a great time while we were there. We’d love to go back sometime when it’s more off season. But it was great!

[@djw5415]

Hook me up with tickets

[@lifepath6187]

@@SoCalDisneyDad hi, what hotels would you recommend to stay@ in this area?thx

[@slashismyhommie8182]

I'm going there with my fiance and two soon to be step daughters in two weeks, HOOK IT UP SON!!!

[@KendallPalermo]

No one cares

[@britneyshropshire7984]

This is my favorite aquarium in the whole world!! I went last October and a few times before when I was visiting my family in the US and I truly believe this is the most beautiful aquarium i’ve ever been to

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

We really enjoyed it!

[@stevenhofhine5585]

The aquarium was actually built into the old Hovden Cannery, hence the cannery historic displays.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I knew it was for historic purposes. But didn’t know it used to be that building. Very neat.

[@jesusis1537]

I grew up basically at the aquarium. My brother dad and I went to my Grandparents house every Friday to Sunday, and we would visit the aquarium alot! It came to the point where my Grandma bought me and my brother passes that are good for a long time.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

That’s so awesome! We had such a great time there and want to go back sometime soon.

[@808natee]

I'm so excited that my aunt in Cali is taking me here as well as six flags in the future as a graduation gift!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Awesome! Which Six Flags? We drove by Magic Mountain on the way up. My oldest son was wide eyed at the huge coasters. One day he will be old enough/tall enough for that. I haven’t been to Magic Mountain yet. I think I’ve been to Six Flags over Georgia and a Six Flags that no longer exists in Ohio. But that’s it.

[@808natee]

@@SoCalDisneyDad discovery kingdom actually! i love sea creatures and seaworld is to far so she said shed take me there to see the dolphins,penguins,seals,sea lions,their walrus and other animals

[@billmcfuckstick2132]

So I am terribly happy to have been such a presence in your life and addition to your viewership. Its incredibly interesting, especially how much I have gotten to learn about you. Lovely.

[@reneebarger5194]

The MBA is a wonderful place. We have had family memberships for over 30 yrs. The sea otter program is outstanding. The kids interaction exhibits are so good that my son brings his 4 yr old to see the same exhibits he did as a kid. Thank you & enjoy!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

We loved it there! Definitely want to go back some time.

[@reneebarger5194]

@@SoCalDisneyDad They may restart the kids snorkel events in the summer. Kids dress in wet suits, etc. & swim in the outside “”bay” area. As a grandma, I love the sunset wine tasting.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@reneebarger5194 That sounds super fun! We won’t make it this summer unfortunately as we have quite the busy schedule, but I love the idea!

[@vickyhawkins5547]

Love that place. I volunteered for 10 yrs so much fun

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

We had a great time! Only wish we had chosen to go on a more off-peak time of year. We could have stayed longer and only have ourselves to blame for not staying longer. We tried to drive up there (7-8 hours away) and drive back in a single weekend without taking any days of school or work off.

[@bellescarla7307]

Love always your videos! Thanks for this review; we’re going to this in June.

[@anniefinch6843]

The fish with the spots in The Kelp Forest is a leopard shark. They're called that because they have rosets like the leopard.

[@BeeLovedBaby]

I really enjoyed your video me and my son are watching it together it feels just like we were there, I subscribed looking forward to watching more of your great videos 🙂

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Thank you!

[@flaviapickler]

Omg thanks a lot for sharing your video! How amazing those little and big sea animals are? I've been there once and ive got some pics but seeing your video was delightful.. thanks again for the tour.. 💕

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

You’re very welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@HhhHhh-ew6pr]

Into the deep has opened and is now the largest deep sea exhibit in the United States. It has over 50 species with about 20 not being in any other in the world. Tentacles is closing in a few weeks which may be why the large cuttlefish, nautilus and deep sea cephalopod exhibit were boarded off.

[@aidenayers2486]

Thank you for these videos I am a local of southern California and I love sea animals so I live near the beach so thank you for the Monterey bay aquarium.

[@jenniferz.1254]

When I went, we found street parking. Had to walk up about half a mile. It was either free or metered but cheaper than $10 from what I can recall.

[@THECyb3RW0lF]

I miss the Monterey Bay Aquarium so thank you for this video

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@j2fly1]

I like that Aquarium

[@c.a.t4607]

Growing up I would go to this aquarium or the stienhart aquarium at the California academy of sciences. Every few years, I haven't been back in way too long.. This video makes me want to go on a aquarium tour, Monterey, stienhart and the aquarium of the bay at pier 49. Monterey is always beautiful the history is deep and rich.. the first whaling pier was set up at moss landing in 1853. Either way I think it's time for a drive along highway 1..

[@ilvinmartinez7180]

I've only been to the beach once and it was 8or 9 years so this reminds me of the adventures

[@anniefinch6843]

Another place I think this person should head to is the Walt Disney family museum.

[@AbelsAdventures]

Love this video

[@xIsabellaNightmarex]

Great and thorough video! I'll be going later this year so hopefully it's significantly less crowded then 😊

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Let’s hope so! It was the middle of Summer! I’m sure everyone was on their vacations.

[@anniefinch6843]

A few movies for this person to enjoy about the ocean are The Little Mermaid, Free Willy, Finding Dory and Finding Nemo. A famous children's book to deal with the ocean is The Rainbow Fish. The fish in the kelp Forrest is a California Sheepshead. I think this person should know that a group of fish is a school and fish swim making an S shape.

[@anniefinch6843]

I remember this place.

[@Ourhomeschooladventures]

Wow! Nice we moved from San Diego to Los Angeles and man I wouldn’t mind wearing jackets just about now …lol…parking is expensive

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

It was an interesting feeling. We felt like we went from Summer to Winter. It was 108 when we turned off the 5, and 59 when we arrived in Monterey 3 hours later.

[@lisabostrack24]

That place looks awesome. I can't remember if I have ever been. I will have to ask my dad. I'm sure I have . But when I was little. I have been to the Long Beach aquarium. Still really want to go to the Georgia Aquarium. To see a Whale Shark in person. That would be so cool.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

We almost went to Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach this weekend. But changed our minds so we weren’t doing two aquariums back to back.

[@anniefinch6843]

That gigantic fish is a giant seabass. Octopuses squirt ink when they're trying to scare off predators.

[@Sean-uh6te]

Thank you for the video

[@sallyness1405]

If you are still in the area you should head north a bit and go to Gilroy Gardens. Local fun family theme park, with a few water areas and themed rides.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

We aren’t unfortunately. We drove up Friday, did the aquarium and Big Sur/PCH on Saturday. And went to Solvang on Sunday and drove home.

[@anthonyd9984]

Amazing, great job! What camera did you use to film this?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Thank you! Just an iPhone.

[@karenlau5244]

Thanks for the tour and video! We are taking our 3.5 and 2 yr olds next Monday and this video gives me an idea on what to expect. Any tips or recommendations from your experience ?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Make sure you have a jacket or sweater. It's cold up there! Also, if it's crowded, plan to eat early as the dining area got crowded very fast and I missed items on the menu or purposely skipped food I wanted because I didn't want to wait in another line. It's easy to forget about lunch when you're looking around and having a good time. I hope you have an enjoyable trip!

[@karenlau5244]

@@SoCalDisneyDad thank you !

[@pauleckert4321]

Thanks for the tour but wish you could have shown the gift shop was looking forward to it then u skipped it. 😔. Also there is better food down the street at Bubba Gumps. Used to go alot but not so much any more. I think it is the best in the US. I been to quite a few. You just have to take a whole day and chill and its worth every penny and not rush it. I see people will say they didnt like it because of to many people. Think you just have to understand its one of the most popular places in the USA and like Disneyland just relax and take your time and enjoy. 🤷‍♂️

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I totally agree. My problem was that I needed to get there, enjoy the aquarium, and return in a weekend and it’s 7 hours away. So it was a bit of a rush, yes. And we still had a great time. But some friends of ours went like 2 months earlier and said it wasn’t busy at all. So we think it was probably the time of year as well. I didn’t go in the gift shop because my kids were at their limit at that point and they wouldn’t have tolerated a full gift shop video.

[@juanserrano5629]

Did you saw great white sharks do they still have great white sharks there 🦈

[@anniefinch6843]

The name of the big fish is the giant seabass.

[@benjaminveksler3793]

That looks cool

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

It’s a fun place. Definitely worth a visit sometime. I really want to get back to Georgia Aquarium now to compare. Been years since I’ve been there. Don’t see it happening anytime soon though.

[@benjaminveksler3793]

I would wanna pay a visit to seaworld and bgt orlando

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@benjaminveksler3793 I thought about going there on our most recent trip out East, but we didn’t want to give up a Disney day. Lol.

[@raghunathkrishnan5124]

Awesome video. 👏 What's street or lk location is that parking lot on?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

It’s the one on the corner of Foam St and David Ave

[@carolinaestrada7479]

Hello, I loved your video, I'll go this Saturday. How many hours do you need to tour all the aquarium?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

We were there for about 4 hours if I recall and could have spent more time. We felt rushed because it was crowded (middle of Summer) and we needed to get through Big Sur before dark. So we left around 2ish and arrived at 10 AM I believe.

[@carolinaestrada7479]

@@SoCalDisneyDad thank you for the information. I'm very excited like a child to visit the aquarium!!!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@carolinaestrada7479 Hope you have a great time.

[@anniefinch6843]

For this person, the orange with the black is the California Sheepshead.

[@anniefinch6843]

Neat. The fish that's in most exhibits is the California sheep head.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Thanks for the info!

[@anniefinch6843]

You're welcome. The fish with the spots is a leopard shark. There are even bat rays.

[@BhimavaramBullemma]

Is it worth to go for bay area aquarium or San diego Aquarium?

[@martincresporios5301]

8:56 its just the reflection

[@bryang9192]

long Beach aquarium is #??

[@DavidGonzalez-nh1gc]

I believe the second largest tank is in Walt Disney World

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

It is! In EPCOT’s Seas pavilion.

[@stevenhofhine5585]

second largest is the Seas with Nemo and Friends

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

It is indeed! I love that aquarium.

[@Kyle-zy7ny]

far from the best. that title is held by the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Id give Monterey a 2nd best.

[@mandyadams4257]

I love dolphins

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Us too!

[@daemianvanderzwart7112]

an aquarium that sells fish🤨

[@GarryReyom]

It’s such a Californian thing to think masks work 😂