The Monterey Bay Aquarium is set right on the Pacific Ocean coast and features over 35,000 plants and animals, all of which can be found right in the Monterey Bay. Founded in 1984, this nationally recognized aquarium features an array of exhibits one of them being a 33ft high (1.3 million liter) tank, which holds a number or large aquatic animals including sharks (below middle photo).

Sharks are a popular exhibit that draws crowds all day long and can be found in a number of tanks. Many are smaller sharks but a couple of massive tanks showcase the power of larger ones, like the Hammerhead Shark in the "Outer Bay" exhibit that is a 4.5 million liter tank (above left photo).

The Jellyfish Exhibit is a firework display underwater. There are several kinds of Jellyfish that are different shapes, sizes, and colors but all are just as mesmerizing. The lighting for this exhibit makes it truly a piece of ever-changing art that makes you feel weightless.

The Secret Lives of Seahorses is the newest addition to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. There are a number of different kinds of seahorses, like the classic pot belly (above right photo), dwarf seahorses that are circled in the above middle photo, and exotic ones like in the above left photo.

Of course, one can expect to see many displays of brightly colored coral, sea enemies, crustaceans, and fish.

Overall the Monterey Bay Aquarium was very wheelchair accessible. There are elevators and accessible restrooms all over the aquarium's two floors and are marked by clear signs. Even on the second floor patio there is a telescope at a level for a wheelchair user (above right photo). Monterey Bay Aquarium Exhibit Map.

More Monterey Guides: Cannery Row, Old Fisherman's Wharf, and Monterey Costal Trail