Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
310-393-6149
Listing Manager:
Randi Parent
The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium offers school groups, families and visitors a unique view into the ocean world and is home to dozens of marine animals and plants. Aquaria exhibits include interactive displays, touch tanks filled with animals found in tide pools and several large habitat tanks featuring animals and habitats found in the Santa Monica Bay. During public visiting hours, families can enjoy all the public programs.
- Fax: 310-393-4839
- Hours: Tue - Fri, 2pm - 5pm; Sat, Sun, 12:30pm - 5pm; Mon, closed
- Handicap Accessible: Entrance is at street level.
- Founding Date: 1997
- Ticket information: Tickets can be purchased at the front door. Children 12 & under: free admission All others: $5 suggested donation, $3 minimum required Groups of 10 or more: $2 per person (regardless of age)
- Student discounts: No
- Senior discounts: No
- Private parties: Yes
- Food/drink: No
- Alcohol served: No
- Coat/bag check: No
- Parking: On-street: metered, Paid lot
- What makes this community special?: The Aquarium offers an interactive, educational experience with local marine life. Staff and volunteers enrich the hands-on experience at this compact Aquarium and discovery of the ocean environment inspires conservation and stewardship.
- Which is the most popular attraction or exhibit?: Three large touch tanks filled with tide pool animals; shark themed Sundays, with a weekly 3:30 p.m.presentation and feeding at the shark exhibit .
- Number of exhibits/cages: 25
- Number of animals: hundreds
- Animal species: 100 +
- Area: 4,800 acres
- Features: Guided tours, Live shows/lectures
- Facilities: Restrooms
The Santa Monica Aquarium at The SM Pier is amazing fun for small children. They have mini-microbiologist classes for youngsters who show great interest in the deep blue sea. We've been dozens of times over the years and are always delighted with the interesting aquatic specimens and also the informative staff and overall, how well the aquarium is run. It's the right size too - not too big so kids can get lost - and it's located right under the pier in case more family fun is desired!
Zina P.
Santa Monica