What to Expect at SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California

LEGOLAND California Resort is a favorite Southern California attraction for many families. SEA LIFE Aquarium is located next to the theme park and visitors can enter from inside or outside LEGOLAND. This fun and educational attraction is included with many LEGOLAND California Hopper tickets.

My family visited SEA LIFE Aquarium during our first trip to LEGOLAND and then again when we went to Brick-or-Treat last October. It probably won't make or break your LEGOLAND vacation, but it is a fun activity that is different from the rest of the theme park. The LEGO models inside the tanks make this aquarium unique.

Should you add the SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California Resort to your itinerary? Here's what you can expect.

What's inside

The SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California Resort is one of a chain of SEA LIFE Aquariums across the U.S. and Europe. We love aquariums and have visited several, but this was our first SEA LIFE Aquarium.

The most fun thing about the partnership between SEA LIFE Aquarium and LEGOLAND is that LEGO sculptures are part of the aquarium scenery. It's delightful to see real sea creatures swimming among LEGO models.

The exhibits at SEA LIFE Aquarium are comparable to aquarium exhibits we've seen elsewhere. It has a shark tunnel, touch pool, and more than 200 species – 5,000 animals in all. Our favorites included sharks, rays, eels, colorful starfish, sea horses, and giant crabs.

Check out the online show schedule in advance to see if there are shows and demonstrations you don't want to miss. The talks and animal encounters are neither long nor elaborate. We caught the interactive Dive Show and a feeding and thought they were fun.

Can you see LEGOLAND and Sea Life Aquarium on the same day?

We didn't, but it could be done. Allow 1-2 hours to visit the SEA LIFE Aquarium if you want to visit LEGOLAND and the aquarium on the same day.

It makes sense to spend more than one day at LEGOLAND California now that the LEGOLAND water park and hotel are open, and SEA LIFE Aquarium can add variety to your itinerary without leaving the park.

If you have just one day for LEGOLAND California, I would spend all my time in the theme park, and save the aquarium and water park for another trip. If you can spend 2-3 days, I would buy Hopper tickets and stay at the LEGOLAND Hotel or another local hotel with a free shuttle. We have stayed at several good hotels in Carlsbad, including Homewood Suites and the West Inn and Suites.

We visited LEGOLAND during Spring Break and felt like one full day in the park was just right for us. At that time, our ticket (which is no longer available) allowed us to return the next morning to visit the SEA LIFE Aquarium with fresh energy. It helped that our hotel had a free shuttle to LEGOLAND so we didn't have to pay parking fees both days.

Good to Know

Where: One LEGOLAND Drive, Carlsbad, California. The SEA LIFE Aquarium is located next to the LEGOLAND entrance. You can't miss it.

When: Open daily. Hours change seasonally. Visit LEGOLAND's Opening Days and Hours page to find when it will be open during your visit.

How Much: $22 at the door for everyone over age 3. Most visitors get SEA LIFE admission when they buy LEGOLAND California Hopper tickets. Find ticket discounts when you buy online in advance, either from Get Away Today or directly through LEGOLAND California.

How Long: 1-3 hours

Amenities: gift shop, cafe

Website: www.visitsealife.com/california

Ready to Book?

I recommend booking your San Diego trip with Get Away Today. They have specialized in planning affordable Southern California vacations for families for more than 25 years.

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Allison

Hi there! I am the founder of Tips for Family Trips. I am a married mom of two children, ages 17 and 20, living near Salt Lake City, Utah. We took our first child on a two-week road trip when she was four weeks old and we have been traveling as a family ever since. We love to get out of the house to see and do fun things, both far away and in our own neighborhood.