Birch Aquarium at Scripps is one of San Diego’s best attractions and not your average aquarium. We’re members and have been visiting the aquarium for nearly two decades now. The hands-on exhibits and over 60 fish and invertebrate habitats showcase the research and findings of the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography, one of the largest ocean and Earth science research centers.
Plus, with a brand new exhibit featuring the world’s smallest penguins, the Little Blue Penguins, there is no mistake that the aquarium is a must-visit in the area.
I like to remind locals and tourists that the San Diego aquarium’s programming extends far beyond visiting the aquarium itself. Seasonal adventures that meet in various locations around town encourage all ages to get outside, unplug, explore, view wildlife, and learn more about how we can better care for our local environment. I’ll explain what these are.
Plus, if you have kids interested in learning what it’s like to be a scientist, Birch Aquarium offers them opportunities to interact with staff members, STEM events, resources for educators, and outstanding summer camps. I’ll cover these, too, but I’ll start with most people’s introduction to this fantastic resource — a visit to the aquarium facility.
Who Is Birch Aquarium at Scripps For?
Everyone. There isn’t an age group that can’t enjoy Birch Aquarium and its programming. It reliably lands on my list of the best things to do in San Diego with kids.
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 Living Seas Gallery (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 Blue Wave Bistro. You’ll find plenty of places, including the Blue Wave Bistro 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 Blue Wave Bistro.
Fun Things to Do at Birch Aquarium: Exhibits, Dining, and Shopping
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. From there, you head straight to the right into the Living Seas Gallery.
(It’s also not uncommon for kids to take a second spin around the gallery or see the penguins again before exiting for the day, so you may want to plan extra time for this.)
Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery
The Living Seas Gallery opened in 2025 as the renovated heart of the aquarium. It carries you through three Pacific ecosystems in turn, from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest, to the kelp forests and canyons of Coastal California, to the warm reefs of the Tropical Pacific. A few stops are worth slowing down for.
Giant Pacific Octopus
One highlight is the Giant Pacific Octopus near the start of the gallery, tucked into an immersive grotto across from the sunflower sea 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.
Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins
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Birch Aquarium at Scripps | Photo: Jordann Tomasek -
Birch Aquarium at Scripps | Photo: Jordann Tomasek
The Little Blue Penguins remain one of the aquarium’s most beloved residents. 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.
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.
Sharks and Rays
Sharks and Rays celebrates the species native to the Southern California coast, including leopard sharks, smoothhound sharks, bat rays, halibut, and Pacific angel sharks. Staff run short “Sharks and Rays 101” talks that are worth timing your visit around, and there is a shark-head prop for the obligatory photo.
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.
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.
Blue Beach
Blue Beach is an outdoor gathering spot built around a 4,500-square-foot floor mural that maps the bathymetry, or underwater depth, of the canyons just off La Jolla Shores. There is comfortable seating, an ocean view, and foam Imagination Playground blocks that turn the space into open-ended play for younger kids. It is a good place to let everyone reset between galleries.
Riveropolis
Riveropolis is a hands-on water-play exhibit built around a miniature river. Kids build and launch small boats and watch how water moves through a shared landscape, which makes it one of the stickiest stops for younger visitors. Designed by artist Gregory Gavin, it rewards cooperation more than speed.
Imagine Wild: Mountain Yellow-legged Frog
Imagine Wild is an immersive installation that recreates a California mountainside of forest, meadow, and alpine lakes, the habitat of the endangered Mountain Yellow-legged Frog. The exhibit tells the frog’s conservation story, including the threats it faces from habitat loss, disease, and a warming climate. Birch Aquarium is part of a partnership that has raised and released hundreds of these frogs back into the wild, exactly the kind of work that makes the aquarium worth treating as an educational resource and not just an afternoon out.
Oarfish
This one is genuinely rare. The aquarium displays a preserved Short-crested Oarfish, more than 11 feet long, that washed ashore at Grandview Beach near Leucadia in November 2024. It sits in an illuminated case alongside a King-of-the-Salmon ribbonfish, with context about the deep-sea folklore these elusive fish have inspired for centuries.
Where to Eat
Break from the adventure with a meal or snack at Blue Wave Bistro, the café just outside the aquarium entrance. It is run by Behind the Scenes Catering, which recently took over the space.
Expect a fresh café menu of sandwiches, salads, and grab-and-go snacks that suit a mid-visit reset with kids.
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.
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.
Seasonal Events at Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium runs special events through the year that are worth planning a visit around, and a couple of them have become traditions for local families.
Shark Summer
Each July, Shark Summer turns the focus to sharks and rays with hands-on science stations, storytime for little ones, and a closer look at the leopard sharks that gather off La Jolla Shores in the warm months. It pairs well with a morning at the beach.
Kids Free October
Birch Aquarium takes part in Kids Free San Diego every October, so one child gets in free with each full-price adult ticket. You reserve online in advance and add the promo code at checkout, and the offer does not stack with other discounts or the Halloween event. If you are visiting in the fall with kids, it is one of the easiest ways to save. I attended the 2025 kick-off event which was hosted by Birch Aquarium where our mayor and other tourism members spoke.
Halloween Aglow
For a couple of evenings in late October, Halloween Aglow takes over the aquarium after hours with a costume contest, trick-or-treat stations, and live music. The best part is the two-story kelp forest tank, where divers turn it into an underwater pumpkin patch and add a giant skeleton (see above) the kids still talk about. It is a ticketed event separate from daytime admission, and it sells out, so buy ahead.
Seas ‘n’ Greetings
All through December, Seas ‘n’ Greetings turns the aquarium into a winter wonderland with festive photo spots, holiday music, and a scavenger hunt with prizes for the youngest guests. The holiday activities are included with regular admission, so it costs nothing beyond your ticket.
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. I’ve joined the winter tide pooling tours myself, and they are some of the most rewarding hours my group spends outdoors all year, exactly the kind of educational resource more visitors should use. Please take advantage of it — we are so lucky that the Scripps Institution of Oceanography offers Birch Aquarium as a public outreach center.
Winter Tide Pooling 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
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 City San Diego
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is also part of the popular Go City 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.
Go City San Diego Promo Code
Save up to 50% on 50+ San Diego attractions, including the Safari Park.
Two ways to buy · pick one
Lowest price
Through my ticket store
Apply code at checkout for extra savings.
or
Buy direct
Straight from Go City
Apply code at checkout for an extra 5%.
San Diego CityPASS
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is also one of the attractions you can pick with San Diego CityPASS. If you plan to pair the aquarium with SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, the San Diego Zoo, or the USS Midway, CityPASS bundles those admissions for less than paying each gate price separately. You still reserve your aquarium entry time in advance. The pass covers the ticket, not the timed reservation.
San Diego CityPASS Promo Code
Bundle SeaWorld and/or LEGOLAND California with three more top attractions, including the Safari Park, USS Midway, and Birch Aquarium.
Two ways to buy · pick one
Lowest price
Through my ticket store
Apply code at checkout.
or
Buy direct
Straight from CityPASS
No extra code needed.
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.
Membership runs on four tiers, each with unlimited visits for a year and no need to reserve a time slot the way day guests do. Coastal Explorer ($89) covers one adult, Coastal Ambassador ($139) adds a guest, and Ocean Protector ($249) is the family level, covering two adults and up to four children. All three include a 10% discount at Blue Wave Bistro and the gift shop, member news, and access to member-only opportunities and lectures.
Ocean Champion ($499) raises the café and gift shop discount to 20% and adds a transferable VIP card good for up to three guests, priority summer camp registration, and two tickets to member events like Oceans at Night and Halloween Aglow.
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. If you are traveling with children, I keep a separate guide to La Jolla with kids.
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
Kids who are never tired of sea life should 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 Blue Wave Bistro 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 and Smargon Courtyard (where Sharks and Rays is).
