1 / 2Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
📍 San Pedro, CA
Beachside aquarium offering free general admission, volunteer-led 90-minute educational tours, and special events like the annual Whale Festival. Most exhibits closed for major renovation through April 2026 - confirm status before visiting.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with curious school-aged children who respond well to guided educational experiences. The volunteer docents are uniformly praised for depth and enthusiasm - the 90-minute tour format delivers genuine learning rather than passive exhibit browsing. Free entry makes it accessible for repeat visits.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →4,590 Google reviews
G Reviews from Google
Teri Elizabeth
8 months ago
“I wanted to get out and about on Saturday instead of laying on the couch like always, so we drove here from Torrance. it was worth the drive! parking is very cheap but they don’t take cash, only card. entry is free but for two adults we chose to donate $20. all in all, it was well worth the $22 we spent! the bathrooms were clean, accessible and had hot water, soap, toilet paper, and seat covers. yes, some of the exhibits are closed until April, but it was still a great time. we look forward to being back when the exhibits are reopened. we are two adults with a baby on the way but this would be a kid’s paradise. there’s a coffee shop there but we didn’t visit but I know most people like offset coffee, and the gift shop was adorable - didn’t buy anything because of our baby on the way, but everything was a reasonable price and the workers were very nice. the beach area was beautiful, if we had worn different shoes we would have gone on a better walk but seeing all the boats, water, and beautiful houses too made it the perfect date.”
Noelle Vargas
9 months ago
“It is a wonderful learning center. We learned so much while we were here. We went during the rain but it didn’t spoil the awesomeness of the aquarium. They said they will be open April 2026. I will for sure make it then.”
Lupe Lucero
8 months ago
“I took my son on February 1st, 2026 to the Whale Festival that they had going on. We had a very nice time there and it was very educational. We definitely want to go back again soon.”
💬 What parents mention
Overview
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium occupies a striking coastal building steps from the San Pedro shoreline, operated largely by knowledgeable volunteer docents who run 90-minute tours covering marine biology, local ecology, and conservation. General entry is free with donations encouraged. The annual Whale Festival draws families for educational programming beyond the standard exhibits.
