Aquarium of the Pacific Promo Codes & Coupons May 2026

If you are planning a visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific, the costs can start to climb before you even see a single sea otter. One of the biggest drains is the parking structure at 99 Aquarium Way. If you just pull in and leave without a plan, you might be looking at $16 for the day. The good news is that you can get an $8 flat rate if you use the validation scanners located inside the aquarium entrance. Honestly, if you want to skip the garage entirely, the free Passport bus stops right nearby and serves most of downtown Long Beach. There is also the Aquabus water taxi for only $1, which is usually a hit if you have children with you.

Food is another area where the aquarium is pretty strict. They don't allow outside food or coolers inside the building. You will find Café Scuba overlooking the seals, and while the food is fine, the prices are exactly what you expect for a captive audience. My advice? Pack a lunch and leave it in the car. They have picnic tables out on the plaza where you can eat comfortably, which saves you from spending $15 on a burger. Just keep in mind that there is no re-entry once you leave, so you'll want to time your meal for when you're finished or just before you head in.

• Bring your own gear. The aquarium does not rent strollers on-site. They do offer baby backpacks for free at the information desk if you leave a credit card as a deposit, but these are first-come, first-served and run out quickly on busy days.
• Wheelchairs are available for free at the same desk, and since the layout is fully accessible, it's worth grabbing one for older family members.
• Timing makes a difference. Weekdays after 2:00 PM are much quieter. On weekends, aim for the 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM window before the heavy crowds show up. Don't forget that reservations are mandatory for weekends and holidays.

The shock of a $44.95 adult ticket is real, but you rarely have to pay that full rate. Before you buy on the official site, check a few other local spots. If you live in Southern California, stop by a Ralphs grocery store. Most locations sell physical tickets at the service counter for $37.95 for adults and $29.95 for kids. That's a clean $7 savings per adult. Another local option is Flame Broiler; participating locations often have coupons for $6 off adult admission and $3 off for kids sitting right on the counter. It is also worth checking your local library's Discover & Go portal. If you snag a pass when they are released on the first of the month, you can get in for free or a discounted rate, but you have to print those out to use them.

For those who aren't local, AAA is a reliable choice. Members get 10% off, but the real benefit is the Wednesday special. If you book online for a Wednesday visit through the AAA portal, tickets drop to $29.95. Students shouldn't pay full price either. Most Southern California universities like CSULB or USC offer tickets through their student unions for about $41. If your school doesn't have a direct deal, check Student Beans for a 15% discount code. When you get to the checkout page, it is also worth trying the code OTTER, which has historically offered $10 off admission.

• Military families should avoid buying at the gate. You will get much better rates by stopping at an MWR or ITT office on-base before you arrive in Long Beach.
• If you use EBT or SNAP benefits, the Museums for All program is very helpful. You can often grab tickets for $3 to $5 by showing your card and a photo ID at the entrance.
• The membership math is simple. A family pass is $249, which pays for itself in just two visits. Members also get 10% off at the gift shop and café, plus access to pre-paid parking vouchers that cut your parking cost to $4 per visit.