Outer Bay

After you've seen the sea otters, you can stop by the auditorium to see one of several films presented daily (the schedule is posted just outside the door) or drop by the Portola Cafe for a bit to eat. When you're ready to move on, head for the stairs going up to the Outer Bay exhibit. This may sound odd, but the aquarium's first floor is not continuous, forcing you to go upstairs to get to the rest of the downstairs. The best thing to do next is go to your left and down the stairs to see the Outer Bay tanks.

The Outer Bay fills an entire wing of the aquarium and focuses on ocean about an hour's sail from shore, between the water's surface and ocean floor. Its biggest single exhibit is this million-gallon tank full of tuna, sunfish, small sharks and pencil-thin barracuda. With no railings or barriers, you can get right next to the glass, an experience children in particular seem to enjoy.

The benches on both levels here make a great place to rest for a few minutes while you watch the fish swimming by.

On this level, you'll also find special exhibits that change every few years. Starting in March, 2007, Wild About Otters features Asian Small-Clawed Otters and African Spotted-Necked Otters. In the past, this area was home to a deep sea exhibit.

Click Next to watch the anchovies circling overhead (yes, we know they're fish - see why it's true)