The Aquarium of the Pacific's "Stars of the Sea" experience continues to make waves with families in Long Beach and across Southern California this summer.
This popular experience puts over 20 species of sea stars front and center, showcasing the beauty and diversity of these often-overlooked marine animals from across the Pacific Ocean — creating unforgettable hands-on adventures for young ocean explorers of all ages.
Touch, Explore, and Discover
The centerpiece of this experience is the Our Living Coastline exhibit, where kids can get up close and personal with fascinating sea creatures. Education Coordinator Ty Frantz explains that the touch pools feature local favorites like bat stars and ochre stars, alongside other species from the colder waters of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
But sea stars aren't the only attractions. Young visitors can explore the sticky tentacles of sea anemones, discover the unique texture of sea cucumbers and learn about sea urchins — the spiky cousins of sea stars that share the same tube feet adaptation for navigating tide pools.
One standout is the gumboot chiton, the world's largest chiton species that resembles a snail but sports distinctive protective plates instead of a traditional shell.
The hands-on experience doesn't stop there. Kids can also touch sharks and moon jellyfish in other exhibits throughout the aquarium, making it a truly interactive adventure for curious minds of all ages.
Programs for Every Age Group
Families looking for deeper engagement can choose from specially designed programs for different age groups. "Big Fish Little Fish" caters to ages 3-6 with accompanying adults, featuring collaborative play activities during a 90-minute session, with aquarium admission included. For older kids aged 7-12, "Ocean Investigators" offers behind-the-scenes access, special animal interactions, crafts and take-home journals.
Beyond the Exhibits
The Stars of the Sea theme extends throughout the aquarium with a movie in the Great Hall showcasing sea star diversity. Families can also take advantage of combo tickets for whale watching and harbor tours, offering chances to spot whales, dolphins, sea lions and seals in their natural habitat.
For those who want to stay connected from home, the aquarium's 24/7 webcams — available through their website in partnership with Explore.org — let families check in on their favorite animals anytime.
Conservation in Action
What makes the Aquarium of the Pacific truly special is its commitment to ocean conservation. They are actively working to save the sunflower sea star, the world's largest sea star species and guardian of kelp forests. This “superstar” plays a crucial role in marine ecosystems by controlling sea urchin populations, which helps prevent overgrazing of vital kelp forests.
Once abundant along the California coast, these remarkable creatures have become functionally extinct in the region. As a founding partner of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) SAFE sunflower sea star program and the Pacific Coast Ocean Restoration Initiative, the aquarium is leading groundbreaking research and breeding efforts to bring this keystone species back from the brink of extinction.
A Legacy of Marine Education
Since opening in June 1998, the Aquarium of the Pacific has established itself as Southern California's largest aquarium, housing approximately 12,000 animals focused on Pacific Ocean biodiversity. As a nonprofit organization, every ticket and membership purchased supports both on-site education and conservation programs that extend far beyond the aquarium walls. Visit aquariumofpacific.org to learn more.