Heal the Bay Aquarium
Santa Monica, CA
~$5 suggested; kids under 12 free
By Simir Shah
★★★★★4.3(577 Google reviews)
What parents say
AI summary of 5 Google reviews — not a first-hand visit. How we write these
Small, and reviewers are clear about that. The draw is the touch tanks with starfish and the staff, who reviewers say are good at talking to children. It works as a short stop rather than a day out, and hosts birthday parties. One reviewer mentions people gathered around the entrance.
A small, 4,500-square-foot aquarium tucked beneath the Santa Monica Pier, run since 2003 by the nonprofit Heal the Bay (founded in 1985 to protect LA's coastal waters). Around 100 local species live here, and hands-on touch tanks let kids handle sea stars, urchins, and hermit crabs.
Good for
- Ages 0–2
Happening near here
- Modern Mosaics Family Workshop (Getty Villa)Los Angeles · 5 miFree
- Images and Imagination: Collage Family Workshop (Getty Center)Los Angeles · 5 miFree
- Hip & Historic HalloweenCulver City · 6 miFree
- Skirball Cultural Center — Free ThursdaysLos Angeles · 8 mi · 12–5pmFree
1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
Hours via Google — confirm before a special trip.
Map
What visitors say
- Carol★★★★★
Cute little aquarium. Kids enjoyed the touch tanks. Very nice staff.
5 months ago
- TJ LA★★★★★
Not the best aquarium but for the size it’s fun and cool. Lots of animals to learn about and staff is very knowledgeable and fun. Aside from the homeless people hanging around the entrance it’s a nice place. I came her in a filed trip with my sons school and the kids loved it.
6 years ago
Showing 2 of 5 Google reviews · Read them all on Google Maps
Nearby places
Keep planning
Eat nearby in Santa Monica
- Gilbert's El IndioMexican & Tacos · $$
- Tacos Por FavorMexican & Tacos · $
- Bay Cities Italian Deli & BakeryPizza & Italian · $
- Classic PizzaPizza & Italian · $