With more than 11,000 animals and 500 species, the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is the L.A. area’s biggest and best-known public aquarium.
Visitors to the 5-acre campus can explore much of the Pacific Ocean all in one place, from nearby Santa Catalina Island’s kelp forests, to the giant crabs of the northern Pacific, to the colorful coral of distant Micronesia. In addition to fish and sharks, the aquarium is home to sea jellies, shorebirds, otters, sea lions, penguins, and more.
It can be tough to know where to start with so many options; check out our handy guide to some of the exhibits members shouldn't leave without seeing.