Birch Aquarium San Diego – Book Your Tickets Today!

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Birch Aquarium: Entry Ticket

Highlights

Experience watching adorable penguins in action.

Explore vibrant coral displays and diverse aquatic habitats.

Learn about marine species including seahorses and leopard sharks.

Engage with interactive exhibits focused on ocean conservation.

Enjoy scenic views overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Good to Know Before Visiting Birch Aquarium

Birch Aquarium is open daily, with closing times that vary by season, so it’s worth checking the Daily Schedule for the exact hours on your visit date.

The aquarium is closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Complimentary three-hour parking is available onsite, but space is limited, so carpooling is encouraged; buses and large vehicles like RVs are not permitted in the lot.

The entire aquarium is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs can be borrowed from Guest Services on a first-come, first-served basis.

Trained service animals are permitted inside the aquarium, though they are not allowed in certain areas such as the Behind-the-Scenes Penguin experience.

There is no formal dress code, but guests must wear clothing and closed-toed shoes for Behind-the-Scenes Tours.

Backpacks, luggage, and other personal items must stay with guests or in their vehicle, as there is no bag storage available.

Outside food can be eaten in designated outdoor areas like the seating near the Whale Fountain, but there are no indoor areas set aside for eating.

The Gift Shop is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until the aquarium closes, and Blue Wave Bistro offers food and drinks onsite throughout the day.

The free Bloomberg Connects digital guide can be downloaded before your visit for access to animal facts and behind-the-scenes content on your phone.

About Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Birch Aquarium at Scripps has been connected to ocean research and public education for more than a century, tracing back to 1905 when Scripps Institution of Oceanography first maintained a small aquarium at La Jolla Cove. The current building opened in 1992 on its bluff-top site overlooking the Pacific, and has since grown into one of San Diego's most visited attractions, welcoming more than 500,000 guests and over 40,000 pre-K-12 students each year.

Today, Birch Aquarium features more than 60 habitats, from the outdoor Tide Pool Plaza and Blue Beach to the newly opened Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery, the largest capital improvement to the aquarium since it first opened. Exhibits are shaped directly by the work of Scripps Oceanography scientists, giving guests insight into current marine research alongside the animals themselves, including the Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins colony.

Current building opened: 1992, on its present bluff-top site
Habitats: More than 60 habitats across indoor and outdoor exhibits

Why Visit Birch Aquarium?

Explore the Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery

The largest capital improvement since the aquarium opened in 1992, this gallery takes guests through Pacific ecosystems from the Pacific Northwest to the Tropical Pacific.

Meet the Little Blue Penguins

The Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins habitat features daily presentations on one of the smallest penguin species in the world, cared for by the aquarium's husbandry team.

Get hands-on at Tide Pool Plaza

This outdoor exhibit lets guests touch and observe intertidal creatures up close, with daily educator-led talks on how they survive in a constantly changing environment.

Connect with real ocean science

As the public exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, the aquarium's exhibits reflect actual research being carried out by Scripps scientists.

Take in the view from the bluff

Perched above La Jolla Shores, the aquarium's outdoor spaces, including Blue Beach, pair ocean views with shark and ray habitats modeled on the local sea floor.

Birch Aquarium - Timings

Birch Aquarium is open daily, generally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though closing times can extend during peak seasons, so it's best to check the Daily Schedule on the official site for exact hours on your visit date. Last entry is always one hour before closing, regardless of the day's schedule.

The aquarium tends to be busiest between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., particularly on weekends and holidays, so guests hoping to avoid crowds may want to plan a visit for 3 p.m. or later.

Most guests spend around two to three hours exploring the exhibits, though this can vary depending on group size and how much time is spent at daily talks, feedings, and presentations listed on the Daily Schedule.

How to Get to Birch Aquarium?

Address
Directions

Aquarium Address

Birch Aquarium at Scripps
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, CA 92037

The aquarium is located on the campus of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Birch Aquarium - Additional Info

Facilities
Accessibility
Dining
Gift Shop

Birch Aquarium at Scripps sits on a bluff overlooking La Jolla Shores and the Pacific Ocean, with more than 60 habitats spread across its indoor and outdoor spaces.

Outdoor areas include Tide Pool Plaza and Blue Beach, an oceanfront space with shark and ray viewing, seating, and games.

The aquarium offers complimentary three-hour parking, though space is limited and carpooling is encouraged; accessible spaces and a curbside drop-off point are available near the front entrance.

Guest Services can provide wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis, and lunch cubbies are available for storing small bags, though there are no indoor areas set aside for eating.

Visitors can also use the free Bloomberg Connects digital guide to access exhibit information, animal facts, and behind-the-scenes content on their phones throughout the visit.

Interesting Facts about Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Birch Aquarium serves as the public exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, connecting guests directly to the marine research happening at the institution.

A public aquarium has been part of Scripps Oceanography since 1905, when the first version opened as the Little Green Laboratory at La Jolla Cove; the current building has stood on its bluff-top site since 1992.

Birch Aquarium welcomes more than 500,000 visitors and over 40,000 pre-K-12 students each year, and set an all-time attendance record of 523,703 guests in its 2023 fiscal year.

In 2023, the aquarium received the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Quarter Century Award, marking 25 years of continuous AZA accreditation.

The Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery, which opened in May 2025, represents the largest capital improvement to the aquarium since its 1992 opening and takes guests through Pacific ecosystems from the Pacific Northwest to the Tropical Pacific.

Birch Aquarium is a KultureCity Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue, a distinction meant to help staff support guests with sensory sensitivities.

Blue Beach, an outdoor space at the aquarium, includes a shark and ray habitat modeled on the sandy sea floor found off La Jolla Shores.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps - Highlights in Pictures

FAQs about Visiting Birch Aquarium

What are Birch Aquarium's hours?

Birch Aquarium is open daily, generally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours can extend during peak seasons. Check the Daily Schedule for exact hours on your visit date.

What time is last entry?

Last entry is always one hour before closing.

Is Birch Aquarium open every day of the year?

No. The aquarium is closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

What is the best time to visit to avoid crowds?

The aquarium tends to be busiest between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., especially on weekends and holidays. Visiting at 3 p.m. or later is generally quieter.

Where is Birch Aquarium located?

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is located at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037, on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus at UC San Diego.

Is parking available onsite?

Yes, complimentary three-hour parking is available, though space is limited and carpooling is encouraged.

Is Birch Aquarium wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the entire aquarium is wheelchair accessible, with ramps at Tide Pool Plaza and the Little Blue Penguins habitat. Wheelchairs can be borrowed from Guest Services on a first-come, first-served basis.

Is food available onsite?

Yes, Blue Wave Bistro offers sandwiches, soups, coffee, and beverages throughout the day. There are no indoor seating areas for eating, so guests bringing outside food typically use outdoor seating near the Whale Fountain.

Is there a gift shop?

Yes, the Gift Shop is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until the aquarium closes, offering sustainably sourced merchandise, apparel, and exclusive penguin and Scripps Oceanography collections.

When did Birch Aquarium open?

The current building opened in 1992, though a public aquarium has existed on Scripps' campus since 1905.

What is the Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery?

It's Birch Aquarium's newest exhibition, which opened in May 2025 and is the largest capital improvement to the aquarium since 1992. It takes guests through Pacific ecosystems from the Pacific Northwest to the Tropical Pacific.

What is Birch Aquarium?

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, featuring more than 60 habitats alongside real research from Scripps scientists.

Is Birch Aquarium good for families and young children?

Yes, the aquarium is designed for guests of all ages, with hands-on exhibits like Tide Pool Plaza and daily presentations covering the animals across its habitats.