Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

3720 Stephen M White Dr, San Pedro, CA 90731, USA

Address:	3720 Stephen M White Dr, San Pedro, CA 90731, USA
Phone:	+1 310-548-7562
Site:	cabrillomarineaquarium.org
Rating:	4.6
Working:	Closed 12–5PM 12–5PM 12–5PM 12–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 13

A Private User

There are other aquariums that may be larger or more extravagant, but the Cabrillo Aquarium is a priceless educational gem. You have only to attend on a week day to see it filled with school field trips, or on a weekend when the college classes show up to know how teachers and professors rate this. Every corner of this rough cinder-block edifice is crammed with tanks, displays, mounted animals, skeletons and information. The live tanks are not just showy, but provide students with an outline of marine biology. What isnt swimming about is probably on a nearby wall display or hanging from the ceiling. Next door to the main tank area is live animal exhibit with microscopes where you might see plankton, live sea star skin cleaning itself or newborn sea creatures swimming about. The culture tanks that grow food for the many animals bubble and churn with algae and microscopic creatures with curators to answer your questions. An education is not complete without at least one visit to this shrine to marine life.

A Private User

I visited the Aquarium today. As I walk my bike toward the information booth, the 1st thing that I was greeted by a nasty and mean spirit grumpy old me. He start to yell at me that I should not have my bike with me in the patio (but there was no sign that bike is not allow). So politely acknowledge. Then I ask where can I get the water or is there a store that sell the water. Then replied me with a very rude manner. Then there was a nice lady sitting next to him direct me to the water fountain near by. As I finish refill my water and try to find my way out, that grumpy old me start of yell broadcast in the intercom, no bike in the patio get out of patio couple times. What a jerk. Thats how they greeted their visitor, I would never visit that place. So, beware when you go there.

Dana Botello

The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is an outstanding place for children of all ages, and adults. They have attention-grabbing hands-on activities for the youngest, appropriate structured learning tools for older children, and a lot of in-depth reading material for adults. The quality and quantity of live exhibits is amazing. They even show a love touch pond where people are allowed to touch sea live, such as sea anemones, star fish, bat stars, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins. I recall visiting and volunteering at this aquarium when I was younger. It was great then and even better now. I would highly recommend visiting this place.

Ginny Le

Love this place, right next to the beach. Its free and $5 (suggested donation). They have a touch tank but not open all the time. You can check its schedules at the kiosk. I think they do care about the sea creatures they have. There is a sign to remind people not to poke the fishes because it can cause them headache. A staff explained that touch tank cannot open all the time because the sea creatures in there need time to rest and refresh. The aquarium is small so it wont take long to discover and then you can take a walk at the beach or let the kids have fun at playground.

George Shum

Cannot beat free/suggested donation. Parking was $1/hour but you can get in and out in no more than 2 hours. Love the 2 jellyfish exhibits, and there was a whale skeleton model (or is it real?) hanging on the ceiling. This place is small but you know its not there for profit (not commercialized like the Aquarium of the Pacific). It provides great learning opportunity for children. We came here on a school field trip and we came back again a month later. They are also right next to the beach with a swing and a slide in case you have small children.

Jason and June .com

I love everything about this place, even though theyre extremely underfunded. The only thing Id improve is to have then emphasize the importance for people not to come out in droves with coolers and buckets on grunion nights when its illegal to catch them. Id recommend working with Fish and Wildlife to enforce the rules and ticket offenders. Also, Id recommend housing regular beach clean ups until it no longer Los like a dump and reminding people not to burn plastic or ban having fires if they continue to do so.

Pisces 91

Fun, kids liked it even though we werent guided through the aquarium. Just wish they would at least guide the field trips and give fun facts while we were in the aquarium. We definately enjoyed the outside activities but would have loved it if we had a guide throughout the aquarium, especially seeing we werent the only school on a field trip that day. I think all the schools would have been much more organized and less crowding, but overall it was a fun experience for the kids and for me.

Juan Carlos Arreola

For some it may not be much to look at in comparison to the Aquarium of the Pacific, but it has a cozy and homey feeling that is just comforting. Theres a lot to learn and the staff is extremely helpful and involved. It seems like they thoroughly enjoy contributing to the education and understanding of the oceans, its inhabitants, and its conservation. I enjoy coming and taking a walk down the tranquil beach. They have lots of events over the weekend, usually free of charge.

Corina Guerra

Its an science based educational experience with live & deceased aquatic specimen through out. My son loves it, he finds the preserved creature bodies and hands on areas very interesting. The way they open the touch pool like once every hour creates excitement & fun. There is a playground on the beach near by but it is nearly always windy here. Its donation based & so reasonable. $5 for adults & $1 for kids. You can pay for parking or park near by in the streets.

Tovarizer

This makes for a great field trip for kids, family, and friends. Unfortunately your own pets are not allowed so they have to stay either in the car or at home. I would encourage everyone to visit this aquarium based off of the indigenous animals and wildlife that inhabits it surroundings. Its a great overall experience. Plenty of parking its easy to find and see from the street. Theres not a lot of money that needs to go in to this trip.

Eric Ontiveros

This is a great hidden gem. I love coming here. There arent many new exhibits, but it brings back a feeling as if I were on a field trip from my youth. There staff are very friendly and helpful and they do several science experiments here as well, which is cool to see. There is generally plenty of parking and there is a beach with a kids play set and swings, which is definitely nice for the kiddos. I would highly recommend!

W M

This place is so friendly, sweet, and perfect! What it lacks in fancy, it makes up for in hands-on knowledge and interesting real things! The staff are great! Cute gift shop. Its donation, so if youre struggling you can take the family and not worry. Weve been members for three years now - we love it! The architecture is by Frank Gehry, as well. Make a day out of it and hang out at Cabrillo Beach and light a fire in the pits!

Shaun Fisher

This is a cool little spot for what it is: a FREE aquarium (donation strongly suggested). If you are expecting the Aquarium of the Pacific, turn around and head to Long Beach. Give a donation. This place stays open on donations and the goodwill of volunteers. Cool exhibits and touch tanks make this a worthwhile destination if you find yourself in San Pedro. The whole aquarium + gift shop takes 2 hrs or less. Enjoy!