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Located in Long Beach, California, the Aquarium of the Pacific is a wonderful go-to activity for families and children of all ages.

This popular attraction is the largest aquarium in Southern California, home to more than 12,000 species and 100 exhibits. 

If you plan to visit, there’s no need to pay gate prices. There are several reliable ways to buy discounted Aquarium of the Pacific tickets to avoid paying the full price.

These saving opportunities, as well as general tips for visiting, will be listed below. 

Gate Prices for Aquarium of the Pacific

If you don’t buy tickets online before you go, you’ll pay these gate ticket prices:

  • $44.95 (ages 12+)
  • $29.95 (ages 3-11)
  • $41.95 (ages 62+)

If you wish to save money on your entry fee, take a look at the discounted ticket options below. 

Due to limited aquarium capacity, tickets are date-specific, meaning that you’ll choose a date at the time of purchase.

Aquarium of the Pacific Discount Tickets Options

There are multiple ways to secure a discounted ticket to this world-class aquarium. Here are several ways to save big money on your trip to what we rank as one of the best aquariums in California

1. More Single-Day Aquarium of the Pacific Tickets

aRes Travel is a San Diego-based, authorized ticket seller to must-see attractions and destinations, including this Long Beach aquarium. We have been partners with them for years.

They sometimes offer an excellent deal on a single-day pass to the Aquarium of the Pacific, however, at the moment it’s the same price as the aquarium.

When you buy this ticket, you’ll choose the date and time you want to visit. Therefore, your reservation is included!

Buy 1-Day Aquarium Admission

Skip the ticket line and go straight to the gate on your selected date and time.
Price: $44.95/ages 12+ and $29.95/ages 3–11

2. Aquarium of the Pacific Discounted Hotel & Ticket Packages 

If you are going the distance to visit the aquarium and looking to spend the night in the area, there is an Aquarium of the Pacific Hotel & Ticket Package you can utilize.

To capitalize on this deal, you must select your hotel stay dates, the hotel and room of your choice, and the number of tickets you wish to purchase. Guests have the flexibility of choosing between 26 different hotels for this deal.

Shop Aquarium Vacation Packages

Enjoy substantial savings by bundling your tickets with a selection of 26 different hotels.

 

We stay in Long Beach several times yearly as my daughter plays volleyball at the Convention Center. There are a few benefits to consider if you’re on vacation in Southern California.

Why stay in Long Beach?

  • Hotels are typically cheaper than in coastal Orange County.
  • You can have ocean views from your room.
  • Great restaurants and bars are located near the convention center.
  • It’s about 20 miles to LAX.

Note that the area is gentrifying. There are excellent spots but also gritty ones, too.

3. Aquarium of the Pacific Membership Packages

Clownfish swim in a tank at Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
Clownfish

If you live in Southern California or plan on visiting the aquarium several times within the next year, it may be in your best interest to purchase one of the aquarium’s many membership packages.

Every membership offers visitors unlimited free admission for 12 months. Members will also receive 50% off parking with pre-paid parking vouchers, a 20% discount on guest admission tickets, a 10% discount in gift stores, and discounts on day camps and gift memberships.

Members will receive invitations to member-only events, previews of new exhibits, and a complimentary subscription to the member magazine. 

Plus

The Plus membership grants membership benefits to one or two cardholders and all children (age 17 and younger) living in the same household.

Users will also receive two single-use tickets and one transferable membership card, which allows members to bring one extra guest to the Aquarium of the Pacific per day.

The plus membership costs $299 per year. 

Family

The Family membership grants membership benefits to one or two cardholders and all children from the same family.

The family membership costs $249 per year. 

Dual

The dual membership grants membership benefits to two cardholders living in the same household. If two cardholders visit the aquarium more than once in one year, they can save money by purchasing this membership. 

The dual membership costs $179 per year.

Individual

The individual membership grants membership benefits to one cardholder. If any individual plans on visiting the aquarium more than three times in one year, they can save money by purchasing this membership. 

This membership costs $99.

4. Group Sale Discounts

If you are traveling to the Aquarium of the Pacific in a group, then you have the potential to save big.

Rather than purchase individual gate ticket prices for each group member, check out the various group sale discounts below. 

A grinning Moray eel.
Moray eel

Corporate, Association, and Union Discounts

If you are looking for ways to give back to your loyal employees, signing up for one of this Long Beach aquarium’s corporate, association, and union discounts is a great option.

Depending on the program you opt for, the aquarium offers anything from eTickets to consignment and prepaid tickets.

The best part? Signing up for most of these programs comes at no additional cost to your organization. 

Aquarium eticket program

One of the Corporate, Association, and Union discounts offered is the Aquarium eTicket program. Signing up for this program allows companies to set up a personal online store solely for their employees to purchase discounted tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific.

To keep the account up and running, a company must be selling a minimum of 25 tickets per year. 

Prepayment ticket programs

Companies can also opt for the Prepayment Ticket Program.This program allows employees to purchase aquarium tickets at a significant discount.

Employees will also be granted express entry into the aquarium and a flexible ticket. Once an employee purchases a ticket, it will be valid for one calendar year.

To keep this program up and running, you must sell a minimum of 25 tickets per year. 

Tour Operator

If you are a traveling tour operator, the aquarium offers a special discount for travel or tour companies that bring 100 or more guests to this attraction in one calendar year. 

Prepaid Group Visits

If you are traveling with a party that includes between 10 and 100 people, you are eligible for a Prepaid Group Visit.

Group visits are only available from Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets must be prepaid before entry. For every ten children, one chaperone is required. 

In this group package, adult tickets are a discounted $39.95. Child ticket prices are $26.95, senior ticket prices are $36.55, and one free adult is admitted for every ten children. 

5. Aquarium of the Pacific AAA Discount

By purchasing a ticket at any Southern California Auto Club branch or on the AAA website, individuals can get tickets that are up to 10% off.

The AAA discount is limited to six guests, and individuals must make an aquarium reservation. Bring your ticket and reservation confirmation to the aquarium when you show up for your visit. 

6. Aquarium/L.A. Zoo Combo Discount

If you plan on visiting the Los Angeles Zoo and the Aquarium, skip purchasing individual tickets for both and opt for the Aquarium and L.A. Zoo combo discount instead.

7. Conventioneer Discount for Aquarium of the Pacific

If you hold a Long Beach, Los Angeles County, or Orange County conventioneer badge, you can buy Aquarium of the Pacific discount tickets for at least 50% off.

Present your badge at the ticket counter anytime after noon to receive the Conventioneer Discount. Guests are limited to one discount per badge. 

This offer is valid for up to one week before and after your convention. Guests must make free reservations online before visiting the aquarium.

8. College Discounts to Aquarium of the Pacific

If you are a college student at a university in Southern California, there’s a chance that your school offers discounted Long Beach aquarium tickets.

Check with your Student Union or ASI office to see if your school offers college discounts. 

9. Military Discounts

Individuals can capitalize on discounted military tickets at any MWR/ITT office on base. 

10. Union and Professional Organization Discounts

Many unions and professional organizations across Southern California grant members discount Aquarium of the Pacific tickets.

To take advantage of this opportunity, check with Member Benefits to see if you can secure savings on admission.

Regular Online Ticket and Package Prices

A crazy looking red, spotted fish.

Again, if you decide to buy tickets at the gate, prices tend to be much higher than purchasing in advance online.

  • Gate Prices: Soon to come

Visitors also have the option to purchase packages at the front gate. These packages will give visitors access to additional aquarium experiences.

For example, the Gray Whale Watch is a 2 to 2.5-hour whale-watching boat journey into the Pacific Ocean. Gray Whales migrate between December and June.

Packages can include boat tours, like seasonal whale watching. Aquarium of the Pacific is located right on Long Beach Harbor, where boat tours depart.

You can also take advantage of the year-round Harbor Tour. On this 45-minute boat ride, guests will discover sunny Southern California and explore Long Beach and Los Angeles. Boat-goers will get the chance to see the downtown shoreline, ocean vistas, ships from around the world, and potentially sea lions and other sea creatures.

These tour packages include regular Aquarium of the Pacific admission.

Important Aquarium of the Pacific Tips for Visiting

A Lionfish swims in a tank at Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific
Lionfish at the aquarium

To help make your visit to the aquarium as smooth as possible, you should keep a few things in mind.

Address and Hours

The Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. It is open every day of the year except for Christmas Day. The aquarium’s general hours of operation range from 9 a.m to 6 p.m.

Reservations

Anyone who wishes to visit the aquarium on a weekend, holiday, or during a special event must have a timed ticket or online reservation to be admitted into the aquarium.

While this is not required on weekdays, it is still highly recommended if you want to be guaranteed entry. Children under 3 are not required to make a reservation.

If you cannot visit during your reserved time, rest assured that your ticket will remain valid for one year after the date of purchase. 

Parking

Upon arrival, guests can park at the designated parking structure. Visitors can pay for the $8.00 parking fee with a credit card on their way out or use one of the parking kiosks nearby.


Tips


  • Check out the various “animal encounter” opportunities, including interacting with sharks and rays, seals and sea lions, Magellanic penguins, and feathered friends.
  • Check the schedule of events as animal feedings happen throughout the day.
  • If you are hankering for a bite to eat before or after your aquarium visit, there are food and shopping spots nearby at The Pike Outlets and Shoreline Village.

Aquarium of the Pacific Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the best exhibits?

Do not miss the June Keyes Penguin Habitat and Shark Lagoon. Favorite animals no double include the sea otters, sea jellies, sea horses and sea dragons, seals, and sea lions. You can also even hand feed lorikeet birds.

Is there a first responder, government, or teacher discount?

Yes, you can get Aquarium of the Pacific tickets if you have a qualifying ID.me membership.


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