Catch a glimpse of more than 5,000 fish in 60-plus Pacific Ocean habitats, from the Northwest’s frigid waters to the tropical ecosystems of Mexico and beyond, at La Jolla’s Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
What to Expect at the Birch Aquarium
High on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, 20 minutes north of downtown San Diego, this aquarium offers exhibits on a wide range of marine creatures, from big whales to leopard sharks and bizarre, weedy seadragons, a type of seahorse. Coral reef colonies shimmer with tropical fish as well as chambered nautilus and lionfish. Get hands-on with local tide pool animals such as sea stars, squishy sea cucumbers and other near-shore marine life in the aquarium’s outdoor touch pools in the Preuss Tide-Pool Plaza exhibit.
Seadragons & Seahorses at the Birch Aquarium
In 2019, the Birch Aquarium broke new scientific ground with its Seadragons & Seahorses exhibit. It features one of the most expansive seadragon habitats in the world, designed to facilitate the breeding in captivity of the leafy seadragon, which has never been done before. These impossibly delicate, undulating creatures, along with seahorses, pipefish, and brightly colored, weedy seadragons, are fascinating to watch as they interact or—sometimes just as curiously—don’t interact with each other. The tiny baby seahorses onsite were all bred at the aquarium, and visitors will be able to get an inside look at the Birch’s world-class aquatic husbandry program.
Little Blue Penguins Habitat at the Birch aquarium
Not all the aquarium’s residents are deep-sea dwellers—some are just frequent visitors. Don’t miss the Beyster Little Blue Penguins habitat, a 2,900-square-foot exhibit that’s home to a thriving colony of the diminutive and deep-diving seabirds, which weigh in at around three pounds and stand less than a foot tall. An amphitheater and a discovery cave provide great vantage points to observe the highly social creatures as they mingle with one another, feed, and build nests. Fun fact: This is the only place on the West Coast where you can see these super-cute and fascinating flightless birds, the world's smallest species of penguins.
Thanks to its affiliation with and role as the public outreach center for the adjacent Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the aquarium presents plenty of cutting-edge scientific discoveries too. It’s a great way to get a deeper appreciation of that beautiful ocean stretching to the horizon.
Things to Do Near the Birch Aquarium
The aquarium’s home city of La Jolla can keep any visitor, especially one who loves the outdoors, busy for days. Water activities are high on the list here, from simply hanging out on the beautiful local beaches to kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Hikers can head to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, about six miles to the north, and just beyond that is the sunny, sporting (as in horseracing) town of Del Mar. To read about how a longtime La Jollan likes to spend his downtime in his home city, check out Ask a Local: La Jolla.
Know before you go: The aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; free three-hour parking is available onsite, and can be extended for a small fee. Oversized vehicles are not permitted in the parking area. Advanced reservations are required (except for members); check the daily schedule to time your visit to coincide with a feeding or special event.