The Aquarium of the Pacific is located near the waterfront in The Pike at Rainbow Harbor in the city of Long Beach, California. It is one of the largest aquariums in the United States. Its nearly 1,000 species fill 19 major habitats and 32 focus exhibits and take visitors on a journey throughout the Pacific Ocean's three regions: Southern California/Baja, the Tropical Pacific, and the Northern Pacific.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is a 156,735-square-foot marine exhibition With sweeping, curving, wave-like architecture that is designed to emulate the ocean. It houses over 12,000 ocean animals, including five species of whales, eleven species of sharks, porpoises, dolphins, rays and skates including manta rays, sea turtles, birds, bears and more along with over 10,000 simulated mussels, kelp fronds and other natural exhibit accoutrements and over 10,000 pieces of individual, artificial coral, representing 58 different coral species.

The Aquarium provides behind the scenes tours where you can dive into the underwater world and discover places in the Aquarium where most people do not have a chance to go and even feed the anamals. Visitors are encouraged to watch animal feedings and learn more about the animals and environmental issues at habitat presentations. Join the Animal Encounter interactive program which allows guests to feed, touch, and go behind the scenes with some of the more than 12,500 inhabitants, including the Shark Animal Encounter which provides guests with an opportunity to be in a pool with one of the zebra sharks, or maybe even the 240-pound thorny ray. From Memorial Day through Labor Day you can aboard The Conqueror, a 90-foot research vessel for a 90-minute marine science excursion where you will have an opportunity to touch a variety of marine animals while you learn about their natural habitat and about life in the ocean.

The Aquarium Of The Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. Parking for the Aquarium is on the water side of Shoreline Drive between Chestnut Place and Aquarium Way.

Parking is $6 for Aquarium guests in both the Aquarium and Pike parking structures when you show an Aquarium ticket stub. Spice up your visit by taking the Aquabus, a red 40-foot harbor shuttle in Queensway Bay connecting the Queen Mary / Catalina Express, the Coast Hotel, Catalina Landing, The Aquarium of the Pacific, Pine Avenue Circle at the Pike, and Shoreline Village. Service frequency is hourly and hours of operation are 11 a.

m. to 6 p.m. Fare is $1 one-way. Children 2 years and under ride free.

The Aquarium Of The Pacific is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

every day of the year, except December 25 and during the weekend of the Grand Prix of Long Beach. Admission fees are, adults: $18.95, children under 2: free, children from 3 to 11: $10.

95 and seniors 60 and over: $16.95. The Behind The Scenes Tour and Ocean Experience are extra.

For more information about the city of Long Beach, California see http://longbeach.usacitydirectories.

com, a directory of links to city of Long Beach, California guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, attorneys, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go and more.

Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and is currently the publisher of several internet directories, including http://www.usacitydirectories.com a directory of national, state, county and city guides and directories listing local guides, directories, web sites and web pages providing resources, services and information about things to do and places to go.

By: David Hallstrom