San Diego Ocean Adventures

Visit Birch Aquarium’s Hall of Fishes, where families can get close to ocean creatures such as leopard sharks, eels, a giant pacific octopus and more. Don’t miss the two-story Giant Kelp Forest, in addition to the 600-gallon cylindrical Moon Jelly experience, and the touch pools on Tide Pool Plaza, where kids get hands-on with sea anemones and sea cucumbers. www.aquarium.ucsd.edu

Photo credit: Angela Beransky Photography

LEGOLAND’S SEA LIFE Aquarium is excellent for young explorers. Touch a sea star at the Interactive Rockpool and join an educational talk or feeding demonstration to learn about sea life and the importance of protecting marine species. Don’t miss the walkthrough tunnel, where sharks and rays swim overhead! Aquarium admission is separate from LEGOLAND admission. www.legoland.com/california/things-todo/sea-life-aquarium

Take a 90-minute guided kayaking tour to the La Jolla Sea Caves. All levels welcome. Observe sea lions, kelp forests and maybe even leopard sharks. Life jackets and helmets provided. For ages 6+. www.lajollaseacavekayaks.com

Go behind the scenes during a SeaWorld Sea Lion Encounter, where you’ll meet with an animal educator and come face-to-face with a sea lion. Not included with SeaWorld admission; reservations required. www.seaworld.com/ san-diego/experiences/sea-lionencounter

Take a Private Wildlife Tour at Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista, where you might choose to feed sea turtles or touch a shark. Learn from an animal ambassador about the marine species, birds and reptiles on the property. The two-hour experience is for groups of up to 10. www.thelivingcoast.org/experiences/ private-animal-encounters

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