SeeCalifornia.com

Nature can be stranger than Halloween, as you’ll discover when you explore California’s aquariums, hosting a world of unique and eerie sea creatures such as — Ghostfish, Spookfish, Bat Rays, Wolf Eels, Viper Fish, Black Dragons, Bat Rays and Bloodbelly Comb Jellies.

It’s hard to say which aquarium came up with the Halloween idea first (though we discovered the unique fish and their ghoulish looks thanks to Monterey Bay Aquarium’s promotions.) And like so many events surrounding Halloween, once one aquarium spread the word about their hauntingly-fascinating inhabitants, the idea jelled and suddenly every aquarium in California boasted a Halloween attraction!

Halloween at California Aquariums

• LA JOLLA: Birch Aquarium’s Haunted Aquarium Sea Monster Mash is a sea of glowing beasts and spooky stories.
• LONG BEACH: Aquarium of the Pacific’s Scarium of the Pacific special Halloween program includes the annual children’s costume contest, creepy coloring,  underwater pumpkin carving show and spooky storytelling.
• MONTEREY: Monterey Bay Aquarium Members’ Halloween Dinner Dance is a one of the perks for those who join this esteemed institution. Once you pay your membership fee you qualify for a frightfully fun evening of activities and ghostly good times!
• SAN DIEGO: SeaWorld San Diego Halloween Spooktacular’s enchanting underwater fantasea includes spooky shows, fun-fishy activities, wacky characters and gobs of ghoulish goodies.
• SAN FRANCISCO: California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium SuperNatural Halloween invites guests to trick-or-treat through the Academy at night among eerie animals and spine-tingling specimens!
• SAN PEDRO: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Sea Scare has a new Trunk or Treat area this year, plus Party Zone and Haunted Maze!
• SANTA MONICA: Heal the Bay Aquarium Fishy Fest at Santa Monica Pier features Scary Story Time, Halloween Costume Parade & Santa Monica Pier Trick or Treat.