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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, generally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with later closing times in summer. Last entry is one hour before closing.

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.

Only trained service animals are permitted inside the aquarium; pets are not allowed and should not be left in cars in the parking lot.

There is no formal dress code, but guests must wear clothes and shoes, and closed-toed shoes are required 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.

Guests are welcome to bring a picnic, and Blue Beach, with its shaded seating and ocean views, is a great spot to eat.

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 around half a million guests a year, including a record 523,703 in fiscal year 2023, along with tens of thousands of pre-K-12 students.

Today, Birch Aquarium's habitats range from the outdoor Tide Pool Plaza and Blue Beach to the Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery, which opened in May 2025 with 38 habitats and is the largest capital project in the aquarium's history. 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: Dozens of indoor and outdoor habitats, including 38 in the Living Seas Gallery

Why Visit Birch Aquarium?

Explore the Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery

The largest capital project in the aquarium's history, this gallery opened in May 2025 and takes guests through 38 habitats of 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 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 pair ocean views with Blue Beach, a patio with a giant floor map of the canyons off La Jolla Shores, and the neighboring shark and ray habitat.

Birch Aquarium - Timings

Birch Aquarium is open daily, generally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with later closing times during the summer season. Last entry is always one hour before closing, so on a 5 p.m. day the final entry is at 4 p.m.

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 the afternoon, leaving enough time before last entry.

The average visit lasts about an hour and a half, though many guests stay longer depending on group size and how much time is spent at daily talks, feedings, and presentations.

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 habitats spread across its indoor and outdoor spaces.

Outdoor areas include Tide Pool Plaza and Blue Beach, an oceanfront patio with seating, games, and a giant floor map of the underwater canyons off La Jolla Shores, next to the shark and ray habitat.

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 stroller parking is available in the Galleria. There is no storage for bags or other personal belongings, so keep them with you or in your vehicle.

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 opened on its bluff-top site on September 16, 1992.

Birch Aquarium set an all-time attendance record of 523,703 guests in its 2023 fiscal year, and welcomed 41,000 pre-K-12 students during the 2022-23 school year.

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

The $18.7 million Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery, which opened on May 22, 2025, is the largest capital project in the aquarium's history and takes guests through 38 habitats of 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 patio at the aquarium, features a 4,500-square-foot floor mural mapping the underwater canyons off La Jolla Shores.

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., with later closing times during the summer season.

What time is last entry?

Last entry is always one hour before closing, so on a 5 p.m. day the final entry is at 4 p.m.

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 in the afternoon is generally quieter; just leave enough time before last entry.

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 grab-and-go and made-to-order food, coffee, and drinks throughout the day. Guests are also welcome to bring a picnic, and Blue Beach has shaded seating with ocean views.

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 on September 16, 1992, though a public aquarium has been part of Scripps Oceanography since 1905.

What is the Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery?

It's Birch Aquarium's flagship gallery, which opened on May 22, 2025 and is the largest capital project in the aquarium's history. Its 38 habitats take 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 indoor and outdoor 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.