Birch Aquarium

For more than a century the Birch Aquarium has delighted San Diego's residents and visitors with the wonders of the ocean.

 

Located 10 miles north of downtown San Diego, this stunning Birch Aquarium is connected to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. - UCSD

 

With a mission to provide ocean science education, interpret Scripps research and to promote ocean conservation, Birch Aquarium at Scripps gives you an opportunity to enter the world of sharks, seahorses, octopus, living coral reefs and discover a stunning variety of Pacific marine life in more than 60 habitats.

 

Dive into oceanographic exhibitions that showcase the mysteries of ocean, air, and life through interactive displays and multimedia. Touch tidepool creatures in living tidepools on a plaza overlooking La Jolla and the Pacific Ocean.

 

 

General Information

 

Birch Aquarium at ScrippsLocation:

2300 Expedition Way,

La Jolla, CA 92093


Phone: 858-534-FISH (3474)

Hours: The park is open daily 9:00 am-5:00 pm.

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's days.


Admission:

$11 Adults 18+
$9 Seniors 60+
$8 College students with valid I.D.
$7.50 Youth (3-17)
Free Children 2 & under

Group rates 858-534-6691- by reservation

Parking: A courtesy 3-hour parking is included with admission

Official Web site: www.aquarium.ucsd.edu

 

Directions to Birch Aquarium at Scripps


Driving: I-5 to La Jolla Village Drive exit, travel west. La Jolla Village Drive becomes North Torrey Pines Road (approx. 1 mile). Turn left on Expedition Way.

Parking is to your left, at the bottom of the hill. Three hour parking is included with admission.


By Public Transportation: Take Bus #34 to Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Get off at Downwind Drive. Walk up Downwind Drive to aquarium.

 

 

Current Exhibits at Birch Aquarium at Scripps


Feeling the Heat - The Climate Challenge : Explores the scientific facts behind climate change and global warming, highlighting Scripps half century of climate research. Interactive exhibits for all ages.

Art of Deception - Demonstrates the remarkable ability of marine creatures to hide in plain sight using camouflage. Features leafy sea dragons, sea horses, frogs, fish, stingrays and crabs.

 

Wonders of Water - Exhibits the forces behind of erosion, water flow and ocean currents through interactive stations that allow visitors to create rapids, canals, dams and islands.


Hall of Fishes - Features more than 60 tanks of Pacific fishes and invertebrates from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and the Caribbean. The largest habitat is a 70,000-gallon kelp forest.

 

Shark Reef - 13,000-gallon tank devoted to shark species that inhabit tropical reef habitats, including whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, brownbanded bamboo sharks, Port Jackson sharks and wobbegongs. Interpretive panels on shark biology and conservation accompany the reef.

 

Tide Pool Plaza - Features three living tide pools where visitors can touch and learn about inhabitants with docents. Windows in the habitats provide up-close views of starfish, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, lobsters and other animals local to San Diego's tide pools. Pools overlook La Jolla and the Pacific Ocean.

 

Feeding times at Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Kelp Forest Dive Show
12:30 Tuesday, Thursday;

2 p.m. Saturday; 10:30 Sunday

 NW Coast Gallery
10:30 Wednesday
Shark Tank
10:30 Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday		 Southern California Gallery
10:30 Wednesday
Tide Pool
2:00 Monday, Wednesday, Friday		 Tropical Reefs
11:00 Wednesday

 

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