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Location
Visitor tip
Start with the tide pool tank to see the most dynamic live exhibits (sea stars, sea urchins, sharks, and seasonal shark eggs), then explore the five regional environment tanks featuring eels, lobsters, and local fish species. This maximizes engagement before moving to the static taxidermy displays.
Visitor tip
Engage with the informative and knowledgeable staff and volunteers on-site. They can provide context about local species, the venue's history, and Edward Doheny's donation of the land to California's first state park (1931), enhancing the educational experience.
Visitor tip
Combine your visit with the adjacent butterfly garden next door and nearby Doheny State Beach. The location is ideal for families wanting multiple activities in one area, and it's a great stop before or after beach time.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Aquarium
- Location
- Doheny State Beach, Dana Point, CA
- Highlights
- Tide pool, 5 ocean environment tanks, wildlife displays
- Hours
- Daily 10am-4pm
- Annual Visitors
- Over 1 million at Doheny State Beach
What visitors say
Well, if people don't know about this little gem in Dana Point, you gotta get there! It's a little natural history museum with all local species, taxidermied and living. Also old posters of Dana Point before Killer Dana and information…
Micro Aquarium and museum, about the real estate of a 4 car garage. Very clean, well kept and wonderful staff. Has a few small tanks with eels, sharks, spiny lobsters and tide pool. No touching them, not a petting zoo. You could spend…
Very small but free aquarium with just a couple tanks and plenty of taxidermy sea life in a few cases. Aquarium is in two small rooms and takes roughly 5 minutes to walk through. Nice little spot to see while visiting Dana Point and you…
From 84 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- Doheny State Beach was California's first state park, established in 1931 through a donation by the Edward Doheny family, whose history is documented in the Aquarium's exhibits
- The Tide Pool & Aquarium operates as a completely free admission facility despite maintaining live animal exhibits and taxidermy displays of regional wildlife
- The facility features a specialized tide pool tank containing local species including sea stars, guitar fish, sea urchins, and shark eggs (when available)
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