Birch Aquarium

Visiting La Jolla's Birch Aquarium

• Hours: Open daily except Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1
• Reservations: Not required
• Cost: Admission charged
• Location: La Jolla, north of downtown San Diego
• How Long: Allow one to two hours
• Best Time to Visit: Any time. During the school year, go in the afternoon to avoid school field trip groups

Smaller and more intimate than some of its larger and better-known cousins, the Birch Aquarium is a place where you can get close to the animals, and take your time to enjoy them. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography has been working here for over 100 years and the Birch Aquarium opened in 1992, funded by Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation.

Because of its intimacy, children and adults alike are energized by the Birch Aquarium. Watch a leafy sea dragon float through the water like an animated tree branch or check out a shark's egg.

Half of the Birch Aquarium is a series of small to medium-sized displays the illustrate sea life along the Pacific Coast of North America. Feeding times for many exhibits are open to the public. Check the schedule you get when you arrive.

Interactive exhibits at the Birch Aquarium teach the history of oceanography. The exhibits change periodically. In late 2008, a large portion of their space was occupied by an exploration of global warming and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Outside in the back of the building, you'll find the touch pools, where you can find out what some of the local tidepool inhabitants feel like. The back patio offers some great views of the ocean and nearby town, and in summer, the aquarium sponsors outdoor concerts here (extra fee required).

If you want to take photographs of the Birch Aquarium exhibits, be aware of reflections on the glass. Move in close (about a foot away) and set your flash at a 45 degree angle if you can. Don't get so carried away taking photos inside the Birch Aquarium that you miss the spectacular view outside.

Getting to the Birch Aquarium

Birch Aquarium
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, CA
(858) 534-3474
Birch Aquarium Website

The Birch Aquarium is north of San Diego and west of I-5. The best way to get there depends on where you're coming from. You can get customized directions at their website. Parking is free for three hours.

You can get there by public transportation on San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Bus Route 30 or North County Transit District (NCTD) Bus Route 101, but from the nearest stop on either one you'll have walk a few minutes to get to the aquarium (and the walk back out is a steep, uphill climb).