Birch Aquarium Scripps Oceanography was once a lab created to connect with marine life, and it still stands as an exploration centre to connect with marine life today. The aquarium is well over a century old. It was used as a space to showcase discoveries to the world
The aquarium houses more than 3000 animals from 380 species. More than 400,000 visit the University of California San Diego campus each year to explore the aquarium. 40,000 school kids make the trip each year.
Birch Aquarium Scripps Institution of Oceanography - one of the highlights of 10 Best Museums in San Diego (Read all about San Diego here)
photo by Beyond My Ken (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
Birch Aquarium highlights
One exhibit features a Hall of Fishes which contains over 60 tanks of pacific life. The Elasmo Beach exhibit is a sandy outside tank for viewing sharks and rays. Three living touch pools allow visitors to interact with the animals.
There is a designated platform for other species like seahorses, sea cucumbers, hermit crabs, and starfish. The facility opened in 1903. It has gone through many changes, but in recent years, the Birch Aquarium Scripps Institution of Oceanography has been awarded San Diego’s best museum award four times!
photo by Antoine Taveneaux (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Good to know when visiting Birch Aquarium
The Birch Aquarium Gift Shop offers souvenirs and ocean-themed gifts and decor for your home. If you would rather, you can wait until you're back home and order a souvenir from the gift shop online.
Splash Café is open, but you will need to eat before or after your visit. You can't re-enter the aquarium from the cafe. Another eating option is Smargon Courtyard, near the Shark Shores exhibit. Guests with Strollers are allowed. When you finish exploring the aquarium, enjoy the other sites on the campus.
Birch Aquarium Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Location: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, California, San Diego, USA
Open: Sunday—Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 858-534-3474
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