Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA 90802

The Aquarium in Long Beach is a terrific facility celebrating the inhabitants of the Pacific Ocean. You'll find tropical fish exhibits, coral reefs, sea otters, seals and sea lions, sea turtles, and sea birds.

The exhibits stretch from floor to ceiling; kids can lie right down on the carpets and stare up as schools of brightly colored tropical fish go swimming by, and feel that cold thrill as a shark suddenly darts into the picture. Scuba divers make periodic appearances to feed the fish and clean the coral, and are quite willing to wave and clown around for delighted children.

The centerpiece is the 10,000 square foot Shark Lagoon, which offers visitors the opportunity to touch and interact with bamboo, nurse, epaulette, and zebra sharks in shallow pools. One section, featuring above-and-below water views, allows guests to get nose-to-nose (but not, happily, hand-to-mouth) with large, toothy sharks. Sand tiger (endangered in Australia), zebra, nurse, and whitetip reef sharks, as well as rays, are featured. Special daily feeding presentations are a predictably huge draw - who doesn't want to watch sharks eat?

Opportunities for observing and touching other live creatures also abound, both above and under water. There are 19 major habitats on two levels, and 32 focus exhibits. Squeamish kids may not want to feel the sea urchins and anemones, but aquarium staffers are on hand to help those who do.

One gallery covers the Northern Pacific, and is slightly chilly and a bit grey, but worth seeing if only for the naturally comedic puffins. The other galleries cover the temperate waters of Southern California and Baja and the wonderfully warm and colorful tropical Pacific.

Kids can also take an expedition to visit friendly birds from Down Under in the Lorikeet Forest, a 5,200 square-foot walk-through aviary that brings new meaning to the word "encounter:" kids can feed the little flutterballs nectar from a cup!

Indoor and outdoor theaters feature regular showings of documentaries and animal education programs.

The outdoor Explorer's Cove includes Lorikeet Forest, Shark Lagoon, and the Marine Life Theater. There's also an adjacent refreshment and snack area, the Bamboo Bistro.

Cafe Scuba is a cafeteria style restaurant offering hot and cold entrees, salads, and sandwiches. There are plenty of high chairs and booster seats, and indoor and outdoor seating.

The bathrooms on both levels have changing stations, and there is a baby care room, with chairs for nursing mothers and toys for toddlers, in the first floor women's room.

The Aquarium strongly discourages strollers inside the exhibit area, especially on crowded weekends. There is a large stroller parking area in the lobby.

The Aquarium offers all kinds of educational programs for children of all ages on weekends. There are stroller walks for parents with infants, toddler programs for parents with two and three year-olds, pre-school programs for four and five-year-olds, and workshops, sleep-overs, Discovery Tours and Explorer Programs for older kids and teens at varying costs and times.

Ocean Adventures Summer Day Camp offers week-long summer sessions at the Aquarium for three to 14 year old campers to explore different facets of life undersea.

All the programs are available for groups; some are especially designed for daycare and pre-school groups. Call for reservations, times and group rates.

The Aquarium also offers kayaking lessons, followed by kayaking tours of Upper Newport Bay, as well as Ocean Experience boat excursions (seasonal).

For more information about any of these programs, call 562.590.3100 or visit www.aquariumofpacific.org.

Parties: 90 minute birthday parties at the Aquarium include themed décor, personalized cake, ice cream, juice, and a classroom program that features animal touch time, biofact discovery, and a take-home craft. All you need to do is call at least two weeks prior (subject to availability) to reserve a date and invite friends and family. The party area can accommodate up to 30 guests (minimum 10 participants). Cost is $275 for up to 15 guests (including adults), and $460 for 16-30 guests; members pay $250 to $420. For additional information or reservations, please call 562.951.1630.

Membership: Individual $55; Family $125.