Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, CA

2300 Expedition WayLa Jolla, CA 92037
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Good To Know

  • Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
  • See more than 5,000 fish in 60+ habitats plus a museum featuring cutting edge research from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego.
  • Family-friendly aquarium.
  • Visit Splash! Café by The French Gourmet.
  • Credit cards accepted.
  • Guests are welcome to bring food and drink into the aquarium.

Description

More than 60 habitats featuring a variety of amazing marine life. Visit today! Animal Feedings Daily. Since 1992. Check Event Updates. Plan Your Visit. Panoramic Ocean Views. Cutting Edge Research. San Diego's Best Aquarium. 60+ Habitats. Fun and Educational.

Birch Aquarium Reviews

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Z4842WXaaronh
"Disappointing day at Birch"
TripAdvisor user rating 3.0 out of 5
Reviewed May 22, 2025 NEW
Our day at Birch Aquarium was disappointing. We knew before buying tickets that part of the facility was closed for construction of a new exhibit, so that was expected. What was not expected was that another major display was closed off due to a private event. This left us with just a couple of the exhibits to see for the pre-paid full-price tickets. It took us less than an hour to see everything that wad available. Staff was very nice and was empathetic that we had limited access.
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QueenBriie
"Don’t waste your money!!!"
TripAdvisor user rating 1.0 out of 5
Reviewed April 23, 2025
I would give 0 stars if I could. The best thing about this place was the view of the ocean. While they mentioned there was a section closed when I purchased our tickets, I didn’t realized it was basically the ENTIRE Aquarium. There were probably 10 tanks available for viewing and almost all of them were filled with seahorses. It took approximately 10-15 mins to walk through the Aquarium. It was certainly not worth our time or the $85 I sent on our tickets. I would NEVER visit again.
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Mlashley
Simpsonville, South Carolina
"Meh, but they have blue penguins"
TripAdvisor user rating 3.0 out of 5
Reviewed April 10, 2025
Over priced and small this zoo is only worth about 30 min. And that is only to see the adorable blue penguins and cool weedy sea dragons. Don’t go out of the way to visit.
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vincentrfisher
Albuquerque, New Mexico
"Go Fish!"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed March 21, 2025
Great aquarium…going through a renovation but still a good visit! And every kid seemed to be enjoying the spot…and the views are awesome too!
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AndrewBeach
West Haven, Connecticut
"Well.....um...hmmm."
TripAdvisor user rating 3.0 out of 5
Reviewed March 08, 2025
We were hard pressed to fill one hour of the day here. We saw everything in about 25 minutes then went through again since we had driven here and invested in tickets. It's all for a worthy cause I get it and the exhibits were good, but half the place is closed for renovation and there is just not a lot to see. I'm sure when its in full swing its good but as of March 2025, it's a hard no for us.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Birch Aquarium

What are the hours of operation? 

Birch Aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Birch Aquarium is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. 

Is parking provided? 

Birch Aquarium at Scripps offers 3-hour free parking. Designated handicapped parking stalls are located next to the traffic circle at the front of the aquarium. Additional 3-hour parking is available on Expedition Way from June 1 through September 15. Due to space restrictions, parking for buses and large vehicles, such as RVs or trailers is not allowed in the parking lot. There is public parking along La Jolla Shores Drive that may accommodate large vehicles. 

What should I wear? 

There is no formal dress code, but guests are required to wear clothes and shoes for their safety. 

Where is it located? 

2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037. 

Is the tour/attraction/activity appropriate for children? 

Yes, this is a family-friendly aquarium.

Is the attraction/tour/activity wheelchair accessible? 

Birch Aquarium strives to be fully accessible. Wheelchairs are available free of charge and on a first-come, first-served basis at the Information Desk located in the Galleria. 

Can I leave and re-enter on the same day? 

Guests are welcome to leave and re-enter Birch Aquarium at Scripps on the same day. Upon leaving, guests may receive a hand stamp for re-entry. 

Can I bring my camera? 

Guests are encouraged to take photos and video for personal use. Flash photography is allowed inside the aquarium, except where noted. No tripods. 

How long is the tour? 

Most guests find that two to three hours is the right amount of time to visit Birch Aquarium at Scripps. 

Can I bring my own food/beverages? 

Food and beverages are permitted inside Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic lunch or purchase coffee, snacks, or a delicious meal from Splash Cafe by The French Gourmet. 

Can I bring my pet? 

Only trained service animals are permitted inside Birch Aquarium at Scripps. For the health and safety of your pets, we request they not be left in cars in our parking lot. If a pet is found in a car, they may be removed and held by the University of California San Diego police. 

Can I bring my stroller inside? 

Strollers are permitted throughout Birch Aquarium at Scripps, with the exception of the Infinity Cube. We ask that guests be considerate of others, especially when navigating dark galleries to see the exhibits. 

What is the smoking policy? 

For the health and safety of our guests and animals, smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not allowed anywhere on Birch Aquarium at Scripps property, including outdoor exhibits, sidewalks, Splash Cafe, and the parking lot.