CultureCastINTELLIGENCE

Predictive Cultural Attraction & Crowd Engine

zoo aquariumEIN: 94-2790938 • Form 990 Filings

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Ocean Conservation, Living Kelp Forests & Sea Otter Sanctuaries

886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
Median Dwell: 3.6 hrs
Official Website
Bang-for-Buck Index
83.4/100
Rank #11 NationallyDedicated Crowd Forecast →
Pioneering ConservationLiving Kelp ForestIn-House Artisan Seafood Dining
Adult Admission$65Child: $50
Net Endowment (990)$390.0M4.2x Annual Op Revenue
Annual Attendance1.8M4.8 ★ (46,200 reviews)
Philanthropic Subsidy$43.33 / visitUnderwritten by donors & trusts

Curatorial Scope & Collection Architecture

Located on the historic site of a sardine cannery on Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium is a leader in marine science and ocean protection, drawing ocean lovers worldwide.

Civic Free Days & Community Policy

Free to Low-Income Families through the Free to Wonder community partner pass program.

30-Day Forward Crowd Forecast

Predictive hourly density curves combining search intent, seasonal trends, and local mobility

Low Moderate Busy Peak
Tuesday, 2026-09-01Busy Density (85/100)

Recommended Entry Window: Before 11:00 AM or after 3:30 PM

Forecast StatusClear / Climate Controlled

Hourly Crowd Density Curve (10 AM – 5 PM)

34%
10 AM
64%
11 AM
81%
12 PM
85%
1 PM
78%
2 PM
68%
3 PM
47%
4 PM
26%
5 PM

Total Cost of Visit Calculator

Itemized expense simulation factoring admission tiers, concession markups, parking fees, and pass discounts.

2
1
0
0
Estimated Total Visit Outlay
$272for 3 people
Admission Tickets$180
Parking$20
Onsite Dining$72
Cost / Person:$91
Cost / Dwell Hour:$75.60/hr
💡 Cost Optimizer Tips

• Take advantage of Free to Low-Income Families through the Free to Wonder community partner pass program..

• Public transit or nearby garage apps save up to $10 on parking.

IRS Form 990 & Endowment Transparency

EIN: 94-2790938 • Fiscal Year 2024 Filings

501(c)(3) Verified
Endowment Size$390.0M4.2x Program Revenue
Philanthropy & Grants$78.0M44.0% Support Ratio
Admissions Revenue$92.0MOperating Gate Intake
Donor Subsidy / Visit$43.33Philanthropic Underwriting
Total Operating Expenses: $148.0MFiscal Surplus: $12.0M

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s endowment covers approximately 32 months of operating overhead. Every visitor admission is offset by $43.33 in contributed donations, grants, and investment yields.

Institutional Elasticity & Gate Revenue Simulator

Empirical demand curve simulation calibrated to elasticity coefficient (-0.45)

Elasticity: -0.45
Modeled Adult Admission Ticket Price$70
Free ($0)Current: $65Premium ($90)
Price Adjustment
+7.7%
vs. $65 baseline
Projected Attendance
1.7M(-3.5%)
Annual Foot Traffic
Projected Net Gate Revenue
$121.6M(+$4.6M)
Annual Ticket Gross
Low Risk — Revenue Accretive

Minimal friction on philanthropic conversion pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions & Visit Logistics

How much does admission cost?

General adult admission is $65, children $50, and seniors $55.

Are there civic free days or discounts?

Free to Low-Income Families through the Free to Wonder community partner pass program.

How long should I plan to visit?

Mobility data indicates visitors spend a median dwell time of 3.6 hours to explore the full permanent collection and grounds.

What are the parking and dining options?

On-site garage/lot parking is approximately $20. Dining is serviced by Culinary Team Monterey / Sustainable Seafood Bar ($24/meal).

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