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.
Location:
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:
Adult: $18.50
Child (3-17): $14
Student with ID: $15
Senior (60+): $15.50
Ages 2 and under: Free
*Active Duty US Military ID holders receive $2 off each ticket.
Group rates 858-534-6691- by reservation
Parking: A courtesy 3-hour parking is included with admission
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.
Major Exhibits at Birch Aquarium at Scripps
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.
ElasmoBeach: Meet La Jolla's legendary leopard sharks and other species of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) that make their home in local waters. Our 13,000-gallon tank showcases sharks, rays, and other marine life that live close to shore.
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.
Live Exhibits:
Featuring more than 5,000 specimens representing more than 380 species of fishes and invertebrates.
