4609 Huron Avenue
San Diego, CA 92117
San Diego County
Phone: (619) 275-1354
Fax: unknownWebsite: no website on fileEmail: Send us an emailHours: unknown
by Jeff L. on Having just been here for the second time, I think that I'm in a good place to finally give this place a proper review. The first time we went (with a friend visiting from out of town), we all had a really good time. The second time we went (with my wife's parents), I was pretty disappointed. Maybe it was because I wasn't so busy 'oohing' and 'aahing' at everything that I could easily see things that I just didn't like about the Aquarium. There are some really impressive things about the aquarium. The walk through the tunnel in the huge tank. The very large wall where you can sit and watch the dozens and dozens of fish swimming by. It's also cool that in 2010, there will be dolphins. On top of that, they have whale sharks, beluga whales, penguins, and otters, which certainly makes for an interesting mix of creatures, great and small. So what don't I like about this place? To start, it's layout. There is a central hub that feels like a mall food court, and takes up way too much space (and there's really nothing to do in this part, so it feels like a waste of space). All of the exhibits are paths that connect to the hub. This may be the world's largest aquarium, but in the end, I don't feel like the space is maximized particularly well. The second time we went, we finished seeing everything in ~40 minutes. When we were done, my wife and I looked at each other and asked "Is that it?". It may be large, but it just doesn't feel like there is really that much to see. The main thing I don't like are the "habitats". Some of the tanks are nice and large, but many (too many) are so small that it seems downright cruel to keep the fish (or mammals) in there. In my opinion, the biggest offenders are the Otters and Penguins. Every time we would walk passed the Otters, they would be asleep in the center. The problem is that where they are, they have almost no space to do anything but sleep. There is water to play in, but the exhibit is not much bigger than my bedroom closet at home. The Penguins exhibit almost made me sick to my stomach. The aquarium makes a big deal out of having penguins, but when I saw that they were kept in a space much smaller than my closet, I was simply appalled. I am hoping that this was just some sort of (very) temporary housing, but still, it was a dreadful place to keep them. All in all, I must say that after my second visit to the Aquarium, I am not a huge fan. They do have some cool stuff, and I'll admit that I did enjoy my first trip. But after my second visit, this isn't a place I'm likely to want to come back to.
by Clement Ghramm on Food is just ok. I don't really think it's worth what they're charging but if you want ambiance (mainly for out of town guests) and to be around "fabulous" people (also for out of town guests) this place is it. I had a lot of fun here one night with a bunch of girlfriends in town from Texas (of course).. the toro sushi roll was the best thing off the menu but when we left our dinner table and went to a table at the bar that's where all the fun was had. We saved money by buying bottles of wine all night Hah. DJ is good, spins great music and we danced all night long. Would definetely go back to the lounge/bar area. There are a lot of creepy older men but we were having too much of a good time to really notice.
by Victoria D. on Bimbo's draws some phenomenal acts, and there's not one reason to question why that is the case. I recently saw Blonde Redhead and Peter Bjorn and John here, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience at either show. The setting is warm and intimate and you can't help but feel that the performer(s) is performing for you and you alone. The acoustics are great, no matter if you're standing right up front or sitting in the back by the bar (one of three!). I will return to Bimbo's again. And again. And again. And you should too...
