Fifteen months after closing due to the COVID crisis, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is throwing open its doors to the public June 19.
Visitors will get a first look at the Aquarium’s new Rocky Intertidal Exhibit sponsored by Phillips 66 and a major renovation of the Tidepool Touch Habitat sponsored by American Honda Motor Co. In addition, the Aquarium’s life-sized spy-hopping Gray Whale model got a refresh; the fence is now covered with scientific drawings of local sea creatures; the welcome booth sports a new look and a gorgeous new glass panel door brightens the courtyard. A $100,000 grant from the Ahmanson Foundation helped to fund many of the new features.
Not only did the Aquarium scramble to provide virtual content, its staff rallied to perform a long list of deferred maintenance projects and updated several exhibits.
American Honda Motor Corp. funded a major overhaul of the Tidepool Touch Exhibit, one of the Aquarium’s most popular attractions, where children get to touch sea stars, urchins, limpets and anemone.
The Aquarium is free and open to the public from 12 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Donations are accepted, but never required.
Memberships start at $20 a year and include parking perks and members-only events. During the pandemic, Friends lost more than 1,000 members.
Time: 12 to 5:30 p.m. June 19
Cost: Free
Details: www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org
Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive in San Pedro.