Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

First of all this is the wrong address for the real Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Overall it was a pretty cool experience. I was a little uncomfortable at first bc im like totaly againts marine life being in aquariums but I have to admit it was beautiful.
They took out the jellyfish display that they used to have, which I’m perfectly fine with and theres a bunch of different stations with different info on each specific marine animal.
I came here with my bf on an early Friday afternoon, and it was pretty busy, mostly parents with their little kids, which after 2 hours made me not want to have kids… lol js…
Theres many restaurants around the aquarium, we went to Ticos Tacos, everything is walking distance and parking is only $ 10. Carmel beach is also nearby which is a HUGE plus.
The drive here from Santa Clara was pretty easy.

Like Phil down there says, most of these previous reviews are for Monterey Bay Aquarium, not MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) …
«MBARI is associated with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, of course. But it is the research arm, and is in the business of exploring, researching, and gathering information about the world’s oceans and sea life.»
Phil is incorrect, however, in saying that it is not open to the public. If you go to their website, click on «Marine Operations», and then «Seminars», you’ll see that about once a week (every Wednesday), they give a lecture/​seminar that is open to the public. Topics vary, some would only be understood by nerds and professional scientists (Quantifying Benthic Calcification Rates Using Boundary Layer Techniques), but they do have some more basic topics as well (Saving Whales — One At a Time).
For a marine enthusiast or aspiring marine biologist, it could be a treat. If you’re looking to take selfies with jellyfish, head south to the actual aquarium.

Nice but very expensive, there is no place to park! I have spent a lot of time to find a place. I come from Europe and I have seen wonderful aquariums less expensive and with parking!

Amazed by the customer service of both the employees and volunteers. Overall everyone truly has a passion to be working there. From the time of our purchase at the counter to the moment of closing we were greeted with a smile and given so much knowledge. The gentleman at the front counter offered discounts we were not aware of being our son was a student.

This is an amazing, beautiful place in a beautiful setting. My suggestion would be to just pay $ 10 in a parking garage around the area (instead of the 2hr metered parking) so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of time and running out to move the car or feed the meter. My SO and I got our general admissions tickets (student discount applies to grad students too!) and also a $ 15 Behind the Scene Tours. Our cashier was super friendly and helpful, giving us advice on where to go and how we could maximize our tour experience. He volunteers as a tour guide as well, and I appreciated that his love for the job was obvious and reflected in his attitude. Right at the entrance as you walk in you are greeted by an enthusiastic volunteer with a small tube of adorable jellyfish who will happily explain to you their growth, lifecycles, feeding, etc. Around the entrance and all dotted throughout the exhibits are small hands-​on interactive stations where volunteers engage in children and adults alike on small interesting facts about different things from the mating habits and bodily structure of seals to the feel and anatomy of sea stars. I really appreciate how they make it clear that you can exit and re-​enter the aquarium for whatever reason so you’re not, for example, tied to eating the (somewhat) overpriced food in their café…
The displays were very cool, I especially loved the sea otter feedings as they are adorably playful creatures and even more so with a Kong-​full of shrimp. Warning: Get there early! The place gets crowded quickly! And the penguin feedings were adorable as well and less crowded. During the behind-​the-​scene tours we got a history of how the aquarium was founding, all their trials in getting the giant kelp forest successfully going, as well as info about their sea otter rescue program. My favorite interesting fact was finding out that all their water in all their displays come directly from the ocean outside which they will run unfiltered for their animals. Their outdoor amphitheatre is also beautiful with scopes and binoculars so you can look out into the ocean and see the many wildlife out there. On our visit we saw a sea otter floating amongst some kelp, some sea birds, seals, and a pod of whales in the distance (humpbacks, according to the helpful volunteer guide there). I definitely recommend coming here and seeing at least one of the optional tours (which are all fairly priced, especially when I consider this is a research facility and compared against an entertainment park like San Diego’s Sea World). Overall, great amazing place with obviously very happy enthusiastic staff and volunteer. My only regret was that we were there for a short period of time and didn’t get to view any of the additional sights out on Cannery Row.

First you should know they have a student discount so if you bring proper identification. You could save $ 10-​$ 20 (I forgot how much it was). If not, admission can be pretty pricey.
I went to the aquarium once when I was 13 years old. Almost 10 years later I finally get to visit it again. The first hour I was there everything was incredible and I wanted to run around to each exhibit. Unfortunately since my SO and I decided to come on a holiday, this place was packed with families and crying children all over the place. It wasn’t very fun to be around as it was way to crowded everywhere. It was hard to explore when everyone else is in your way.
My favorite was definitely the jellyfishes! There were so many to look at and they were all so mesmerizing.
After two hours we decided to leave because we had seen everything. I guess it isn’t that enjoyable of an experience if you’re not a kid — or surrounded by kids.

If you travel to the Bay Area, This should be in your top ten places to visit, especially if you include a walk down Cannery Row. So many shops, restaurants and The Amazing Maze. A great day outing. The Aquarium itself should be in your top ten «museums» to visit in California. The most spectacular Jelly Fish display you will ever see. We saw the Sea lions being fed. It was so adorable. It is pretty crowded for a reason so, if you can, go on a week day. It is a vast museum that’s both indoors and outdoors. It has a petting zoo and different shows. It has beautiful view of the ocean. Give yourself plenty of time. There is just so much to seen. Fascinating and education. Good for the whole family! I’ve been three times and will definitely go again someday especially if I can take someone who hasn’t seen it. Also, the customer service people were incredible friendly and efficient. I had accidentally charged my card twice and they caught it and credited me back.

I have been to several aquariums in Southern California and this is a pretty good place to experience. It’s a little pricey for how big the place is but again your funding for a good reason. 39 $ a person is the cost per adult and 35 $ for students I believe. There are several floors and the most fun was the touch pools upstairs. The employees are Very knowledgable.
Overall you should definitely visit this place, as we’ll has the small shops and restaurants around it.

This place does a great open house once a year, in July. The exhibits are fascinating, and there’s something for everyone. Definitely something to check out.

Amazing how absolutely none of the reviews here are actually for MBARI, but are people thinking they’re reviewing the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They are two very distinct entities.
MBARI is associated with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, of course. But it is the research arm, and is in the business of exploring, researching, and gathering information about the world’s oceans and sea life. It does not have exhibits, nor is it even open to the public (that I’m aware of) on a typical basis. All the pictures here on Unilocal of penguins, jellyfish, and other sea life are from the Aquarium, not MBARI.
Once a year, however, they do have an «open house.» During that particular weekend, the doors are opened, equipment and learning stations are set up for display, workers are available for discussing/​explaining said equipment as well as the functions of MBARI in general, lectures and Q&A sessions are held, etc. If you have an opportunity to attend this open house, it is quite fascinating. Attendees of all ages (from small child to senior citizen) will find something interesting and exciting to take a look at. Since it’s in an area of Moss Landing not typically used for large groups of public access, parking can be a problem. But well worth the slight walk.

I’ll keep this short and sweet. The aquarium ticket prices are expensive. Also if you go on a weekend chances are your not going to find street parking so be ready to fork out 20 bucks for garage or lot parking. After all that hassle you will enjoy the aquarium I promise you that.

My eight month old loved watching the fish and etc. I honestly didn’t think she would enjoy herself as much as she did. We went on a Sunday and the crowd wasn’t too bad. We loved the seahorses and jelly fish exhibits. It’s a great place to take your family for a day to watch the fascinating sea creatures.

GREAT PLACE TO VISIT! I love the seahorse and jellyfish exhibit. Also the exhibit about how to protect our environment and its creatures was very informative. I thought it was on the smaller side, but it is a good thing because you don’t feel rushed to see and read everything before the place closes.
As for their food at their cafeteria was alright. I only enjoyed the clam chowder. The fish tostadas was bland. The carrot cake was too moist with too sweet and overpowering cream cheese.
The five star is for the aquarium and doesn’t factor in their food =]

Awsome… not much more to say ! been comming here since i was a kid, now i bring my son here and he loves it every time. The only bad thing is the crowds.

MY FAVORITE. from sea otters, to teeny tiny jellyfish that look like glowing umbrellas, to their clam chowder… everyone in my family had a membership to this aquarium when i was a kid! it’s really awe-​inspiring, and i can’t wait to go back to visit again! i heard a lot has changed, more exhibits! i believe it is currently the 3^rd largest aquarium in the world (i love aquariums)… i would LOVE to see the one in georgia which is currently number one! (number 2 is in japan.) anyway, *under the sea* adventure and education… great for kids AND adults!

I love the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Every time I go to the Aquarium I feel like a little kid. I still remember field trips and visits with schools and friends and my parents. It’s one of the most amazing marine resources in the United States and I think we’re all really lucky to have it here on the California coast. I love the little sea horses and the star fish! The tide pools were always my favorite when I was a kid because you were allowed to pick stuff up and touch things like sea slugs and star fish. It’s a great experience that I will continue to go back to over and over again.

Sometimes I take California for granted and forget everything we have in the beautiful state including one of the best aquariums in the entire world. Now I know it’s a bit pricey, but seriously, this place will blow your mind. The seahorse exhibit was adorable and it really made me sad that they are becoming extinct throughout the world. The jellyfish exhibit was probably the best part for me since I find jellyfish to be absolutely beautiful, and it did not leave me wanting more. Another room I enjoyed was a dimly lit room that had the sharks in it. The glass was about 20 feet high and it just made you feel like you were right there in the ocean. Bring a camera and be prepared to tickle some starfish! Honestly one of my favorite experiences this year so far.