Insider’s Guide to Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla

---

Who Is Birch Aquarium at Scripps For?

Everyone. There isn’t an age group that can’t enjoy Birch Aquarium and its programming.

I used to believe that La Jolla’s Birch Aquarium was best for toddlers and preschoolers who want to explore interactive exhibits and see fish. This is the age group that you’ll see the most during your visit.

However, you’ll also see plenty of adults practicing photography outside on Tide Pool Plaza or in the Hall of Fishes (without a flash, of course). There are tourists and even older kids revisiting favorite exhibits. It’s a treat to watch the kids pick up something new and exciting for them every single time they visit the aquarium.

I’ve learned over time that families visit San Diego specifically because their kids are interested in oceanography. I send them here and to the aquarium’s calendar of events for opportunities to learn in the field. They do an excellent job of making the work of the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography accessible to the public.

---

What to Know Before You Go to Birch Aquarium at Scripps

A powerful conservation message is woven throughout Birch Aquarium at Scripps, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It isn’t a huge aquarium, but visiting is the first step to understanding exactly what they do and how to use this exploration center as a resource.

ADVANCED RESERVATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR ALL GUESTS

Plan ahead, as walk-up sales are not guaranteed, so we recommend making advanced reservations before visiting. This allows Birch Aquarium to monitor capacity, which is fantastic for getting up close to your favorite exhibits.

Convenient La Jolla Location

Birch Aquarium’s location in the La Jolla Shores neighborhood is just a few minutes away from the I-5 freeway (San Diego’s major transportation artery), which means convenient access from the rest of San Diego.

This means that it’s easy to pair a Birch Aquarium visit with stops at other La Jolla attractions, and I’ll provide you with fun suggestions below.

Stress-Free Navigation

The facilities are also straightforward to navigate, especially for young families with strollers. The entire aquarium is accessible, and it doesn’t take long to get from one side to the other.

It’s easy for kids to dart back and forth between their favorite exhibits. This, combined with spectacular Pacific Ocean views, is why I’ve never found visiting stressful.

If you bring older kids, ensure they’re mindful of younger kids, as some hands-on exhibits are in tight spaces.

How Long to Plan Your Visit

An average visit typically lasts between 2-3 hours. Shows and feedings occur at various times throughout the week (don’t miss the daily penguin feedings!, so always check the daily schedule to plan around events of interest.

The Best Time to Visit

It’s a favorite place for school field trips during weekday mornings, but I’ve noticed that it tends to be a little less busy on weekday afternoons.

Tips for Taking Photos

Bring a camera but remember to turn off the flash. For best results and less reflection, position your camera as vertically as possible and close to the glass. No drones are allowed.

Dining Options

Drinks and snacks are entirely fine to bring in but not necessary, as they can be purchased at the Splash! Cafe. You’ll find plenty of places, including the Splash! Cafe patio, to sit, relax, and grab a bite to eat.

Available Conveniences

Changing tables are also available inside the restrooms. You’ll also find handwashing stations near the touch exhibits. And there’s an ATM near Splash! Cafe.

---

10 Fun Things to Do at Birch Aquarium: Exhibits, Dining & Shopping

1. Hall of Fishes
2. Tide Pool Plaza
3. Expedition at Sea
4. Oddities
5. Shark Shores
6. Seadragons and Seahorses
7. Whale Fall
8. Plan to Eat
9. Shop for Souvenirs
10. Snap a Photo in Front of the Whales

You will get more out of your visit by taking a few minutes to understand what you’re looking at and why it’s on display. Make sure you understand how to use the QR code reader on your smartphone to scan the ones scattered around the aquarium to learn more about the exhibits.

I’ve listed Birch Aquarium exhibits in the order that the kids I’m with typically choose to see them.

Enter Birch Aquarium at Scripps via the lobby where the two seahorses are on this map. Here, the tank with Pacific Sardines swimming rapidly in circles will likely lure you to the right into Hall of Fishes.

(It’s also not uncommon for kids to take a second spin around Hall of Fisheso or see the penguins again before exiting for the day, so you may want to plan extra time for this.)

1. Hall of Fishes

Here, guests journey through the California Current, which brings water from the Pacific Northwest down to California and the warm Mexico waters, and finishes in the Indo-Pacific coral reefs. There are several not-to-be-missed highlights in the Hall of Fishes.

Giant Pacific Octopus

One aquarium highlight is the Giant Pacific Octopus at the beginning of the Hall of Fishes on the left side, across from the sunflower stars.

The Giant Pacific Octopus can grow up to 15 feet in diameter and are masters of disguise who live in the oceans of Korea, Japan, and the Pacific Northwest.

But what’s extra neat about this Scripps Aquarium resident is that she knows how to do puzzles and likes people, recognizing her caretakers by smell and sight.

Giant Kelp Forest

Did you know that kelp can grow up to 3 feet per day in the right conditions? You’ve seen it onshore, but take a look inside the two-story Giant Kelp Forest to see how kelp grows underwater and who lives among it.

Residents include the orange Garibaldi (California’s state fish), leopard sharks, moray eels, the giant black sea bass, and more.

On special occasions, divers participate in a tank dive show and answer audience questions.

You’ll be able to watch divers feed the fish, too. Arrive a few minutes before the show starts for optimal seating. You can also view tank happenings through the online Kelp Cam, which is also broadcast on a big screen in the aquarium’s Entry Courtyard.

Don’t miss the Moray eels next door.

Rescued Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Cute does not begin to describe the loggerhead sea turtle, which is now in residence permanently at Birch Aquarium. She was rescued from a New Jersey power plant in 2013. Rear flipper paralysis and scoliosis (likely due to trauma before her rescue) deem her unreleasable.

The combination of CT scans and 3-D technology-enabled staff to create a brace to place on her cracked shell so that she can grow normally and serve as one of Birch Aquarium’s conservation ambassadors.

They hope she inspires others to think about what they do on land and in the water, as human actions are the biggest threat to sea turtles. We’re talking about debris like plastic bags, fishing nets, pollution, and more.

100 Island Challenge

It’s impossible to miss the brightly-colored 100 Island Challenge just past the loggerhead sea turtle. This experimental reef allows scientists to test equipment and research techniques before traveling to remote locations.

Their goal is to collect data from coral reefs surrounding 100 tropical islands worldwide to understand better how these reefs respond to our planet’s changes.

The Nursery – ANIMAL BABIES!

Love babies? Inside the Hall of Fishes, you can closely examine clumps of mussels, swell shark egg cases and juvenile sharks, sand crabs, juvenile zebra perch and garibaldi, gorgonians, limpets, jellies, decorator crabs, seagrasses, and nudibranchs.

2. Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins

The newest and cutest exhibit at the aquarium belongs to the Little Blue Penguins.  Little Blue Penguins are the world’s smallest penguins (less than 12 inches tall) and are native to the coastal dunes and rocky shores of Southern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand.

Birch Aquarium is the only aquarium in the Western U.S. to house these pretty blue birds with big personalities. In the new exhibit, guests will learn about how these birds live in the wild and the challenges they face.

The 2,900-square-foot exhibit includes rocky and sandy shore habitat and an 18,000-gallon pool for introducing guests to penguins socializing, interacting, and nest building.

The exhibit also includes a small amphitheater for guests to observe birds swimming and a discovery cave for children to closely observe Little Blue Penguins on land and inside nesting burrows.

3. Preuss Tide Pool Plaza

Seasonal low tides in winter reveal tide pools along San Diego’s coast. The living tide pools in Tide Pool Plaza allow all ages to view local tide pool animals. Some examples include sting rays, sea stars, juvenile sharks, urchins, and anemones.

Volunteers monitor the outdoor touch pools and answer questions. These animals and plants are the heartiest of sea life as they must learn to survive underwater life, rough ocean tides, sunshine, and predators on land. After enjoying the touch pools and these amazing creatures, you can wash your hands at a nearby outdoor sink.

Get your camera ready, as Tide Pool Plaza is also home to one of the most stunning ocean views in San Diego, thanks to its location on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

TIP: WHEN TO WHALE WATCH

The aquarium views are so good that you might see one when they travel in larger numbers closer to shore from mid-January to February.

4. Expedition at Sea

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography has one of the largest research fleets globally, including the new R/V Sally Ride, named for famed astronaut and UC San Diego professor Sally Ride.

This exhibit showcases the ship’s cutting-edge research and what it’s like to be out at sea. You’ll even have a chance to suit up like an explorer.

Take a virtual tour of R/V Sally while exploring sea mapping and discovering what specimens can be found along the ocean floor. You’ll even have a chance to suit up like an explorer.

Plan plenty of time for the kinetic sand station that allows kids to shape their own seafloor. The color changes with the sand’s depth, and it’s unbelievably cool.

5. Oddities

This comic book-inspired exhibit showcases the superpowers of ocean species. In other words, how they can adapt to survive.

You’ll also learn how these creatures from all depths have inspired everything from cinema and pop culture to medicine and engineering.

6. Shark Shores

On the Smargon Courtyard patio is a tribute to elasmobranchs, including La Jolla’s famous leopard sharks that arrive in summer to incubate in our warm water and other sharks and rays.

During the summer, Birch Aquarium at Scripps leads snorkeling with leopard sharks tours at La Jolla Shores beach  – yes! It’s safe to snorkel with leopard sharks as they are bottom feeders. 

While you’re out there, check out Shark poetry by Dovi Kacev, where you can learn about sharks through beautiful illustrations and poetry. 

7. Seadragons and Seahorses

After fun on the Smargon Courtyard, the kids head back into the aquarium through the side doors to see the seahorses. If I had to pick a favorite exhibit, this is it. Here, you’ll find a dozen seahorse species, their relatives the seadragon, and other unique fish like the Ornate Boxfish.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps displays two of three known species of seadragons, Weedy and Leafy. And, leave it to Birch Aquarium to discover a new type of Seadragon, the Ruby Seadragon though there aren’t any of these in captivity.

Seadragons are delicate, colorful, and beautiful, so you should stop into this permanent exhibit, which sheds light on seadragon conservation.

TIP: GO BEHIND THE SCENES

You can now book a behind-the-scenes Seahorse tour.

8. Plan to Eat

Break from the adventure with a meal or snack at the Splash! Cafe by The French Gourmet just outside of the aquarium entrance.

The food is excellent, with sandwiches, salads, and side dishes made daily by The French Gourmet, a trendy San Diego restaurant and bakery. In line with the aquarium’s conservation mission, Splash! Cafe serves boxed water and fair trade coffee from Cafe Moto in addition to organic and gluten-free dishes, grab-and-go snacks, and more.

The kids I take love the Little Snorkeler combo with a hot dog, chicken tenders, or PB & J sandwich in a reusable lunch bag. Carne asada fries and Ballast Point Sculpin, one of San Diego’s famous local beers, on tap are just a few of the local favorites to enjoy.

9. Take a Souvenir Home

The gift shop is adorable. Sure, it’s full of stuffed animals and trinkets for kids but also has sea-themed home decor, books, jewelry, and much more. If you’re hunting for a unique birthday present for a kids’ party, it’s way better than the toy store, and there is a robust selection of items.

Some of their most popular items are available through their online store. 

10. Snap a Photo In Front of the Whales

Before or after your Birch Aquarium at Scripps visit, snap a photo in front of “The Legacy.” It’s a compilation of three life-sized gray whale bronze statues. Two are breaching in one fountain pool, while the third is tail-up in a separate nearby pool.

“The Legacy” marks the entrance to the aquarium. So, if you’re following GPS and you see these statues, you know you’re in the right place.

Also, near the ticket booth, you may see a giant inflatable octopus with which you may take selfies. Remember to share photos on social media using #BirchAquarium.

---

Join Popular Programming Outside of the Aquarium

I can’t emphasize enough to locals and visitors how cool this programming is, whether you are interested in oceanography or not. Please take advantage of it — we are so lucky that the Scripps Institution of Oceanography offers Birch Aquarium as a public outreach center.

Winter Tidepooling Tours

One of the best things to do in town during the winter months is to keep an eye on the tide calendar for minus tides that present opportunities for tide pooling in San Diego.

Inside these tide pools await critters that delight all ages. It takes a keen eye to spot them, which Birch Aquarium naturalists do have. We took a group of tweens on this winter adventure, and it was so much fun. It’s possible to spy sea cucumbers, sea stars, multiple types of crabs, fish, sea anemones, and even the occasional starfish.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps leads tide pooling tours at Dike Rock on La Jolla Shores Beach near Scripps Pier or sometimes at False Point, a small rocky beach in the Bird Rock neighborhood.

Advanced reservations are needed to join a Birch Aquarium naturalist on this adventure on select Saturdays and Sundays from January to March.

See also: Tips for Visiting La Jolla Tide Pools

VIRTUAL JEFFREY B. GRAHAM PERSPECTIVES ON OCEAN SCIENCE LECTURE SERIES

Led by scientists from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, these lecture series bring forefront research from every continent into the comforts of your living room. 

SUNSET SCRIPPS PIER WALK

The pier is normally off-limits to the general public, but this exclusive walk provides an inside look at ocean research they conduct here through hand on hands-on activities and science stations. Birch Aquarium naturalists will lead you through one of the largest active research piers in the world in an unforgettable experience.

---

Fun Summer Camps in San Diego

Don’t forget Birch Aquarium when searching for summer camps in San Diego. Ages 4-13 can enjoy all things ocean science with many themed half-day or full-day accredited camp choices based on age.

These camps are pretty cool and ideal for kids with a budding interest in marine biology or those who love sea life, crafts, and having a good time. Some camps are held at the aquarium, while others head to the beach where kids encounter local creatures while snorkeling and learn about currents and waves through body-boarding.

Older kids can visit Scripps scientists in their labs to learn what it’s like to be an oceanographer and even perform experiments.

---

Resources for Educators and Kids

Think of Birch Aquarium when it comes time to plan a school field trip. Beach Teaches meet at La Jolla Shores Beach, where naturalists teach kids about beach habitats, data collection, tide pool life, and more.

Discovery Lab programming happens at the aquarium, where some grade levels can examine a fish dissection, study fossils, and learn different age-appropriate science topics.

The Aquarium Express van can even come to your school for hands-on learning in the classroom. There are many other ways for students to benefit from Birch Aquarium school programs, including a robust selection of online activities.

---

Birch Aquarium Tickets and Membership

We can help you save on tickets, tours, and hotels. If you purchase through some of the links below, we may be compensated. Thank you for supporting our small business! Our editorial guidelines.

Tickets can be purchased online, and at that time, you’ll pick a date to visit. Ticket sales feed animals, expand ocean education opportunities, and support research and conservation initiatives in our community and elsewhere.

Advanced reservations to visit Birch Aquarium are highly recommended.

General Admission

Adult: $24.95
Children ages 3-17: $19.95
Ages 2 and under: Free
Student with ID: $22.95
Senior (60+): $22.95
UC San Diego Staff: $22.95
Military Discount: All active, reserve, retired/veteran with valid Military ID receive $3 off each ticket.

Go San Diego

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is also part of the popular Go San Diego sightseeing pass. There are two pass types to consider.

The All-Inclusive pass can save up to 55% and provides entry to 55 San Diego attractions over the course of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 days. You must enter the aquarium between 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. with this pass. 

You can also choose the Explorer pass purchased based on the number of attractions you’d like to visit (either 3,4,5, or 7) without deciding which attractions to visit in advance. Birch Aquarium at Scripps tickets can be included on both Go San Diego pass types.

Membership Has Major Benefits

Members of Birch Aquarium at Scripps enjoy unlimited year-round admission, by far the best deal for residents and frequent visitors to San Diego.

To give you an idea, a family membership is $179 and includes four free guest admission passes, a 10% discount at Splash! Cafe and the gift shop, and access to exclusive opportunities throughout the year.

And, you can feel good knowing that membership dollars go toward supporting Birch Aquarium’s mission of education and conservation.

Birch Aquarium Hours and Directions [Map]

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The last entry is at 4:00 p.m. Check the calendar for extended summer hours in July and August.

They close early at 4 p.m. on December 24. And are fully closed on the days of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Address: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, California, 92037

Directions are fairly easy from the freeway.

From I-5 South (Carlsbad, Del Mar):

• Exit La Jolla Village Drive and turn RIGHT to head west.
• Right after the road changes name to N Torrey Pines Road (near UCSD), turn left on Expedition Way.
• When you reach Downwind Way, turn left into the Birch Aquarium parking lot, or head straight to the rotunda to drop off visitors.

From I-5 North (Downtown, Coronado):

• Exit La Jolla Village Drive and turn LEFT to head west.
• Right after the road changes name to N Torrey Pines Road (near UCSD), turn left on Expedition Way.
• When you reach Downwind Way, turn left into the Birch Aquarium parking lot, or head straight to the rotunda to drop off visitors.

Estimated drive times without traffic:

• Coronado to Birch Aquarium: 27 minutes
• Downtown San Diego to Birch Aquarium: 19 minutes
• LEGOLAND to Birch Aquarium: 31 minutes
• Del Mar to Birch Aquarium: 17 minutes
• Downtown La Jolla to Birch Aquarium: 12 minutes
• La Jolla Shores Beach to Birch Aquarium: 10 minutes

Birch Aquarium parking: Visitors receive three hours of free parking in the adjacent parking lot. This lot tends to fill up, so I advise you to visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon as people exhaust their three-hour limit. If you want to stay longer than three hours, you can extend your time in the parking lot with a permit purchased through the Visitor Services office.

Otherwise, visitors tend to use street parking. As this is a UC San Diego campus, be sure not to park where the student or staff permits are required (signage is fairly clear).

Guests of the La Jolla Shores Hotel can take advantage of the complimentary hotel shuttle for transportation to and from Birch Aquarium.

---

What to Do Nearby in La Jolla

It’s easy to combine a visit to Birch Aquarium at Scripps with other nearby things to do in La Jolla.

La Jolla Shores Beach

La Jolla Shores is regarded as one of the best beaches in the nation for a good reason. In addition to a wide stretch of sand perfect for sunbathing, walks, and sunsets, loads of marine life live offshore in the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park.

The humanmade park is home to four habitats (rocky reef, kelp bed, sand flats, and submarine canyon) and a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. It’s also fun to join a kayaking tour past the seven sea caves, learn how to stand-up paddleboard, or build a few sandcastles here after playing at the seaside playground, Kellogg Park.

See also: Why La Jolla Shores Beach Is San Diego’s Best

La Jolla Cove

For kids who never tire of sea life, head to the Village to see La Jolla’s famous seals and sea lions. They’re adorable and usually visible on the sand at the Children’s Pool or on the rocks near La Jolla Cove.

North of La Jolla Cove, take a walk inside the only sea cave accessible by land, Sunny Jim, through the aptly-named Cave Store.

See also: How to See the La Jolla Seals and Sea Lions

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

This family-friendly state park is home to easy trails for walking, hiking, and Pacific Ocean views. Check the website for trail conditions before you go.

Torrey Pines Gliderport

Bring the camera as you’ll want to capture the colorful gliders launch off the cliffs and into the air at this flight school, which also offers tandem rides for the daring. Watch from the patio or picnic tables of the Cliffhanger Cafe.

The Stuart Collection

The UC San Diego campus is home to a collection of unique, large pieces of public art called The Stuart Collection. The collection’s website offers a map to follow. (It can be quite a bit of walking for young kids to see the entire collection, but you can make a mini scavenger hunt out of it.)

I like to remind locals and tourists that the aquarium is multifaceted and a hidden gem. While exploring the aquarium facilities is a fabulous way to spend a half-day, remember to take advantage of the offsite programming, special events, summer camps, and school programs. We are so lucky to have this valuable resource in our backyard.

See also: Best Things to Do in San Diego with Kids

---

FAQs About Birch Aquarium at Scripps

How long does it take to go through Birch Aquarium?

Plan to spend about 2-3 hours at Birch Aquarium. Part of this time will be spent exploring the exhibits while you’ll also want to enjoy the panoramic ocean views that are among the best in the area. You’ll also perhaps eat lunch or a snack from the Splash Cafe or from home in the picnic areas.

How much is the Birch Aquarium?

Birch Aquarium tickets are $24.95 per adult and $19.95 per child ages 2-17. Children under the age of 2 are free.

Is Birch Aquarium indoors?

The aquariums and some exhibits at Birch Aquarium are located indoors. However, there is quite a bit to do outside. The two outdoor exhibit areas on this list to pay attention to are Tide Pool Plaza, Smargon Courtyard (where Shark Poetry, Shark Shores, and the Nursery are), and Whale Fall Exploration at the Nigella Hillgarth Education Plaza.