Monterey Bay Aquarium with infants and toddlers?

Should you visit Monterey Bay aquarium with infant?

Alright, there’s a reason that Monterey Bay Aquarium comes up as #1 in any search regarding Monterey. ​There’s also a reason why so many parents visit the Monterey bay aquarium with infant and toddlers.

We’ve been cautiously reluctant about dropping $100.0 for two on a single visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium (kids under 3 Free). We’ve been to aquariums all over the world and seems like have seen it all. Well, now that we had a baby we want to continue exploring California and previously noted herds of parents with countless strollers scaling the entrance to the aquarium. We decided to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium with infant.

​We finally decided to take a leap of faith and got a couple of tickets, and OMG the trip was spectacular! If you’re looking for an experience – this is it! if you have little children, this is it ! if you’re generally bored, this is it ! I present you – Monterey Bay Aquarium!

Here’s a Page with exhibits to visit with Infants and Toddlers.

The aquarium is well planned for children with multitude of exhibits for kiddies of all ages. Our 1 1/2 year old goober was mesmerized by all the colorful undersea creatures that kept darting from corner to corner of the fish tank.

​Note: If you’re looking for a slight discount of 10% OFF, check out
Recreation Connection Website

Besides enjoying colorful array of the aquatic flora and fauna we witnessed the feeding experience of the “Open Sea” exhibit – which by far was the most impressive show we’ve probably ever seen!

I’m saying this without a note of exaggeration!

The feeding frenzy was simply spectacular. Seeing it real time was so engaging that even little children stopped moving around and babbling to watch the fish swoop around and join the carnage of little sardines.  Initially the large fish were fed with what seemed like oversized shrimp and other junk. Followed by krill and chum banquet for sardines. Unexpectedly some of the slow moving sardines became a part of the banquet  for yellow fin tuna, Dorado fish and other  big ones. You could see the primal instinct take over and full spectrum of survival, adaptation and simply life unravel within seconds right in front of your eyes in apparently the largest tank in the world.

Furthermore, there is over a dozen of various dynamic exhibits dispersed throughout the aquarium. Anyone could spend hours watching the fish, their never ending, never exhausted quest to nowhere. 

It seems like the entire place was specifically designed for kids. In fact, its better to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium with infants. Random singular adults feel almost out of place at the aquarium. There are multiple stroller parking lots located next to every exhibit. I think all the parents will feel especially comfortable knowing that all the floors are well padded and some of the exhibits are specifically designed for infants and toddlers.

​I’m attaching a live cam link to this post so you can check out the feeding of the fish, which happens every day at 11:00 AM Pacific Time.

What else is there to do in Monterey Bay with kids?

If you haven’t had enough fun for one day, you can head out to feed ground squirrels at the Lover’s point in Pacific Grove, only 10 min south of aquarium. Head out back north on PCH to check out Denis The Menace playground. Drive 20-30 min back north on the way to the Bay for a stop at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for amazing day of roller-coasting, arcades and beach fun with the family.
Also you will find Roaring Camp train ride near Henry Cowell redwoods, check out Shark’s fin beach at the Davenport off of Pacific Coast Highway or choose an alternative route through the redwood with a quick stop at the Mystery Spot near Santa Cruz!
Have fun with your family!