Beautiful Places in the Bay Area

Monterey Bay Aquarium

I took this picture at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on a trip sponsored by UC Santa Cruz. I hadn't been in a few years, and I was amazed at what they'd added. If you haven't been, go! If you haven't been in years, go back!
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is the best aquarium in California. They have animals NO ONE else has, that they've gleaned from the gorge just off the coast. They have deep sea creatures that need special pressurized aquariums. They have funky colored jellyfish. They have HUGE fish, including (last time I checked) a big shark. They also have living creatures you've seen all your life in shell collections, like sand dollars and scallops.
The aquarium also includes a tide pool area kids (and adults) can reach into and touch creatures, and a petting pool of bat rays! (Bat rays are soft and velvety.)
You think you know what's in the ocean? Think again. Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium for a lesson in oceanography you'll never forget.

last updated September 7, 1999