Monterey Bay Aquarium

Stepping into the Monterey Bay Aquarium is like submerging yourself in the deepest, most mysterious parts of the ocean. It isn’t a rinky-dink pet store where you watch goldfish swim around in circles. It boasts massive, multi-story tanks that hold back millions of gallons of water and are larger than apartment buildings, and more than 35,000 sea creatures call them home. The animals range from cute little starfish to deadly hammerhead sharks. While most of the creatures live in the water, there are also birds, penguins, amphibians and crustaceans on land. Visitors can explore the dark, shadowy corridors with the gigantic tanks above them and beside them. They can also step outside to the observation decks that overlook the bay; many free-range animals can be seen splashing in the water and staring curiously at tourists. If you’re wondering what to see in California, consider the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Between its size, scale and biodiversity, it’s definitely one of the top 10 destinations in the state. Address: 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940, United States Ready to travel to Monterey? Don’t miss our list of the best things to do in Monterey!