Monterey Bay Aquarium Discounts, Coupons, Free Tickets, Review (2024)

Note this was originally written by Rachel, but has since been updated by Greg and Erin.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is a public aquarium located in Monterey, California, at the former site of the sardine cannery on Cannery Row. The aquarium is right on the ocean. 

Monterey Bay Aquarium is for you if you love sea otters, penguins, jellyfish, sharks, octopi/octopuses, and sea turtles.

Our kids are animal lovers, so we included a stop at the aquarium on a family road trip to Monterey.

Tickets can be quite expensive, so like I usually do, I searched for coupons and discounts. I also know that some of you are looking for Monterey Bay Aquarium free tickets and free days.

Here is what I found to save money on tickets for the aquarium.

2024 Monterey Bay Aquarium Coupons, Discounts, Free Tickets for + Review

First, a quick Monterey Bay Aquarium review

Monterey Bay Aquarium Family Trip Video

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My family and I traveled by car there a few summers ago, and we got our discount Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets from AAA (more on Monterey Bay Aquarium Coupons and Discounts in a minute).

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How much is parking at Monterey Bay Aquarium?

Because we wanted to save some money,  we parked on the street, a few blocks away at metered parking. We paid $12 for the day.

For a little more convenience, you can pay $15 and park at the Cannery Row garage on Irving Avenue between Foam and Wave streets. After 4 pm, the price is only $5.

According to the aquarium website, parking is available in the Downtown East Garage at 340 Tyler Street in Monterey for a flat fee of $7 for the entire day. 

Then, there’s a trolley pick-up point located just across from the garage on Tyler Street, and more in downtown Monterey.

Best Days to Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium

We visited the aquarium on a Friday. It was pretty crowded. The least crowded, best days and times to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium are during the fall and winter months, according to the website.

If you go during the peak summer season, they suggest visiting on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 2 pm and 6 pm. We arrived around 10:30 am.

The Aquarium for Kids

Our kids are ages 8 and 10. We started at the otters’ exhibit, the most popular. There were a lot of families at this exhibit, so it was hard to see the otters from the back of the room.

Our kids could go to the front to see the otter feeding.  When you are a kid, it’s easy to squeeze your way to the front. They enjoyed that.

There are various feedings, presentations, and movies during the day. See the Monterey Bay Aquarium daily schedule here. The aquarium is a good size. It has two floors. It’s not too big, but there is still a lot to see.

We watched the open sea feeding, which like the otter feeding, was very crowded. Again, the kids made their way to the front, but my husband and I were in the back and had difficulty seeing.

If there’s a program you want to see, I suggest arriving 15 minutes early to get a good seat/position.

Next, we explored the exhibits and saw the 15-minute movie Luna: A Sea Otter’s Story. We all enjoyed that. Who doesn’t love sea otters?

Can I bring food to Monterey Bay Aquarium?

Yes, you can bring food into the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We came with our healthy snacks, but you can also purchase food at the cafe, restaurant, or coffee shop onsite.

Amount of Time Needed to Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium

We left the aquarium mid-afternoon. We spent around 5 hours there and could see everything that interested us. We missed a few of the programs and a few of the movie/shows.

Overall Recommendation for the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Overall, it was a fun time for the whole family. I recommend a visit here, especially if you can find discounted tickets for the aquarium.

If you want even more info and reviews, check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium reviews on Trip Advisor.

Now, Monterey Bay Aquarium Discounts And Coupons

If you are looking for some Monterey Bay Aquarium discount codes, promotional codes, and coupons, then take a look at this roundup of deals I found.

How much does it cost to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in 2024?

Here are the Monterey Bay Aquarium ticket prices for 2024. For general admission tickets:

• Adult tickets cost $59.95. (Adults are ages 18-69)
• $44.95 for kids ages 5-12
• Kids under age 4 are free
• $49.95 for students ages 13-17 or with a college ID. 
• For seniors, ages 70 years old or older, the Monterey Bay Aquarium ticket price is $49.95.

All tickets must be purchased online, as there are no in-person ticket sales available at this time​

How To Get Monterey Bay Aquarium Discount Tickets

Below are the ways I found to get a Monterey Bay Aquarium discount on tickets.

1. Monterey Bay Aquarium student discount

Does Monterey Bay Aquarium have student discounts? You can save $2 per ticket if you’re a student aged 13-17 or a college student. Some military schools are eligible. Be sure to bring your student ID for proof.

2. Hotel Partner Discounts

The hotel where we stayed, Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa, offered discount tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. For the price of a one-day pass, you could get a two-day pass.

Since we were only going for one day, I kept looking for more Monterey Bay Aquarium coupons or discounts.

3. Salinas Public Library’s Shelf to Shore Program

This program offers free access to the aquarium for families who otherwise couldn’t afford to visit. It targets those who qualify for WIC/SNAP, Meals on Wheels, Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, Healthy Kids, or similar services.

Each pass allows up to six family members to visit the aquarium. There’s a limit of one pass per year per adult library card holder, and patrons who received a pass for one season (Fall or Winter/Spring) are not eligible to receive a second pass in the same year.

4. How to get AAA Discounts for the Monterey Bay Aquarium

We are AAA members, and I highly recommend using them.  They saved us during road trip flat tire incident. I knew AAA offers deals to various tourist sites and destinations, so I wanted to find out how much is the AAA discount for Monterey Bay Aquarium.

First, I contacted the AAA office in Monterey, and they indeed had discounted Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets. To get the Monterey Bay Aquarium AAA discounts, all tickets must be purchased in advance at a AAA Northern CA, NV & UT branch office.

The morning of our planned visit to the aquarium, I drove over to the AAA office and got adult tickets for $35.95 and kids tickets for $22.95. Students (with ID) and seniors are $31.95.

Update: AAA no longer has a partnership with Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Note – If you do buy the tickets ahead of time, then don’t leave them in the hotel room when you head out the aquarium, requiring your husband to return to the hotel to retrieve them because you already paid for a parking spot.

5. The San Francisco City Pass

If you plan to visit other attractions in the San Francisco area, then check out the San Francisco City Pass.  It is a great deal.  

With this pass, you’ll get 7-day Cable Car and Muni Bus Passport, California Academy of Sciences, Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure, Exploratorium or de Young Museum, Aquarium of the Bay or Monterey Bay Aquarium.  

It is $94 for adults and $69 for kids. Thus, you’ll be getting a fantastic deal on the aquarium and other San Francisco area attractions.

6. Craigslist And Local Community Offerings

Occasionally, tickets may be available at a discounted rate through platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, where individuals might sell their Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets for lower prices.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Coupons

I did quite a bit of research, and coupons for Monterey Bay Aquarium are rather hard to find. The best bet is to follow the tips for discounts or free tickets that I have outlined.

But here are a few places to get Monterey Bay Aquairum coupons when they are available:

• Sign up for the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s newsletter for additional member discounts and coupons​
• Groupon Deals: Although currently unavailable, Groupon sometimes offers deals on Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets. It’s a good idea to check back frequently as these deals can pop up at any time and offer significant savings.
• Zoo Park Coupons: For those considering membership, Zoo Park Coupons details the various membership levels available at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, including benefits such as free admission for a year, guest cards, and discounts for students and seniors.

How to Get Free Tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

There are several ways to get free tickets to Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Shelf to Shore Passes

Offered by Monterey County Libraries, these passes provide free access to the aquarium for eligible families.

The passes are available at various library branches throughout Monterey County, including Salinas city library branches and Watsonville public library branches. Each pass admits up to six people, allowing for a significant group or family visit​

Free to Learn Program

The Monterey Bay Aquarium offers complimentary group admission through the Free to Learn program to eligible government agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve low-income, at-risk, and underserved children, adults, and families.

This initiative is designed to provide access to those who might not otherwise afford the visit​.

Free Open House for Local Residents

The Monterey Bay Aquarium hosts an annual free open house for residents of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties.

This event requires proof of residency and offers a fantastic opportunity for local residents to explore the aquarium at no cost.

Local Library Aquarium Passes

The Monterey County, CA website hints at the availability of Monterey Bay Aquarium passes through its library system, emphasizing the community’s effort to make the aquarium accessible to more residents, particularly those who might not afford regular admission prices​

Volunteering or Working at the Aquarium

Engaging with the aquarium as a volunteer or employee can provide more intimate experiences with the marine life and exhibits.

Volunteers may gain behind-the-scenes access, and employees can enjoy working in one of the most celebrated marine conservation centers​.

How to get free field trips to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Teacher Discount

Teachers of pre-k to college students can plan a free field trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in select windows.  To get the free field trip, school groups must be going as part of a regularly scheduled class with a transcript grade or academic credit. 

Reservations must also be made at least two weeks in advance. For more information, visit the main aquarium website.

Monterey Bay Discount Tickets FAQ

How to get Free Tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for Military

To celebrate veterans, there will be free aquarium admission for Veterans Day.

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