Latest posts from our Los Angeles expert:
Go Jump in the (Pacific) Ocean
Not really, but kind of, at Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. This renowned aquarium enables visitors to stay on dry land while viewing the colorful marine life and reefs that inhabit the mighty Pacific Ocean--from the icy north to the warmth of Baja California. There's something of interest for all ages. In outdoor Explorers Cove, exhibits include tide pools with gentle inhabitants that fascinate smaller children, while teenagers seem to gravitate over to the massive Shark Lagoon where they can actually touch (be gentle, now!) those lore-filled tooth-y predators along with nonchalantly passing manta rays. No worries--the aquarium does not allow personal contact with the more aggressive creatures. For those experiences, visitors can observe through nice, sturdy glass windows. The aquarium also offers interactive displays, educational programs, and invites guests to watch the sharks at feeding times (gulp). Interior spaces in the vast aquarium house various galleries representing the Pacific Ocean's mesmerizing marine diversity: three-story-tall Southern California/Baja houses the very popular Seal and Sea Lion Habitat; seat otters and diving birds are just some highlights of the Northern Pacific; and Tropical Pacific offers thousands of exquisite neon-colored fish, beautiful coral, delicate seahorses, and surreal-appearing sea dragons. Special presentations, 3-D films, a lorikeet forest, and narrated harbor tours are other visiting options.