The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is one of the biggest and best aquariums in the country. It sits on a five acre lot overlooking the glistening Rainbow Harbor which spills out into the Pacific Ocean. It's home to 32 exhibits with 11,000 ocean animals. Some of the tanks are so massive that when you stand before them it feels as though you're peering into the deep sea.
There are three main indoor galleries which recreate the environments of different parts of the world. The Southern California section has a three-story high tank which replicates a giant kelp forest like the ones seen off Catalina Island.
In the Northern Pacific, you'll see sea otters, giant octopus and puffins. Sometimes they set up a special exhibition of jelly fish in this section. The lights in the room are turned down so you're surrounded by dozens of glowing umbrellas inflating and deflating to different sizes and colors.
The Tropical Pacific holds the biggest tank. The 350,000 gallon habitat is home to olive ridley sea turtles, zebra sharks and blacktip reef sharks.You'll also see the mystical leafy seadragon; a seahorse that blends in so well with its environment you'll think you're looking at an empty tank until you notice their mischievous little eyes.
Whenever I leave the aquarium I often get the same feeling of perspective and tranquility as I do after a long hike or a day at the beach. I'm reminded of how magnificent our planet is. Suddenly, my problems feel less significant and I'm left inspired by the beauty that surrounds us.
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