Attractions

by Tamara Rice of The Rice Paper

The Entrance of the Aquarium of the Pacific

I’ve been to aquariums in Monterey, California and Seattle, Washington–heck, I’ve even been to Seaworld in San Diego, California. However, I truly believe the best aquarium on the West Coast is the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California.

First of all, you need to know it’s in Long Beach, so no matter where you are coming from in California’s Southland (unless you are coming from the yacht parked next door) you are going to be on ugly freeways and stuck in traffic on your way there. (Some of us, truth be told, have caused four-car pileups on the 405 Freeway on our way to the aquarium–I’m just saying … )

But once you get there, the sight of the ocean takes all that stress away. (Well, not so much after the four-car pileup.) It’s not outrageously expensive–especially for kids. In fact, right now they are having special rates for their tenth anniversary.

It’s a very kid-friendly place. If I had a nickel for every time I pushed a stroller around the place, I’d be a rich woman. There’s sea life to touch (the stingrays are amazingly soft), but really the most memorable part of this aquarium–ask anyone who’s been there–are the insanely amazing creatures you will see in the aquarium’s glow-in-the-dark exhibit. Creatures who literally light up. Hold on to your kids–it’s pretty dark after all–but you will both be mesmerized.

Glow in the Dark Jellies at the Aquarium

Jellyfish at the Aquarium of the Pacific

These pictures are not from Animal Planet or stills from one of those fancy earth documentary series. These are pictures taken by a visitor at the aquarium.

Sure, he had a good camera. Still, I think they speak more highly of the place than I ever could.

The Aquarium's Finest Sea Creature

Photos by Woofiegrrl, Vihn! and mstickmanp of flickr.com