More than 400,000 people a year visit Birch Aquarium at Scripps.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Fact Sheet
Mission:
To provide ocean science education, to interpret Scripps research and to promote ocean conservation.
Location:
2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, Calif.
Hours:
9 a.m. 5 p.m. daily
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's days
Admission Rate:
$11 Adults 18+
$9 Seniors 60+
$8 College students with I.D.
$7.50 Youth (3-17)
$7.50 UC San Diego staff, students with I.D.
Free Children 2 & under
Free Members
Group rates (by reservation: 858/534-6691)
Information:
858/534-FISH, http:aquarium.ucsd.edu
Current Exhibits:
Feeling the Heat: The Climate Challenge:
Explores the scientific facts behind climate change and global warming,
highlighting Scripps half century of climate research. Interactive
exhibits for all ages. In Fall 2007, the exhibit was named the Silver
winner in museum
design for the 2007 Event Design Awards. Sponsored by Connecticut-based
Event Design Magazine, the annual awards recognize the best designs worldwide across events, exhibits and environments.
Art of Deception: Demonstrates
the remarkable ability of marine creatures to hide in plain sight using
camouflage. Features leafy sea dragons, sea horses, frogs, fish,
stingrays and crabs.
Wonders of Water:
Exhibits the forces behind of erosion, water flow and ocean currents
through interactive stations that allow visitors to create rapids,
canals, dams and islands.
Major Exhibits:
Hall of Fishes
: Features more than 60 tanks of Pacific fishes and invertebrates from
the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of
Mexico and the Caribbean. The largest habitat is a 70,000-gallon kelp
forest.
Shark Reef: 13,000-gallon tank devoted to shark species that inhabit
tropical reef habitats, including whitetip and blacktip reef sharks,
brownbanded bamboo sharks, Port Jackson sharks and wobbegongs.
Interpretive panels on shark biology and conservation accompany the
reef.
Tide Pool Plaza:
Features three living tide pools where visitors can touch and learn
about inhabitants with docents. Windows in the habitats provide
up-close views of starfish, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, lobsters and
other animals local to San Diego's tide pools. Pools overlook La Jolla
and the Pacific Ocean.
Live Exhibits:
More than 5,000 specimens representing more than 380 species of fishes and invertebrates.
Kelp Forest Dive Show:
12:30 Tuesday, Thursday; 2 p.m. Saturday; 10:30 Sunday
Shark Tank:
10:30 Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
NW Coast Gallery:
10:30 Wednesday
Southern California Gallery:
10:30 Wednesday
Tide Pool:
2:00 Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Tropical Reefs:
11:00 Wednesday
Refreshments:
Spash! Cafe offers
an array of gourmet delights next to the life-sized gray whale mother
and calf fountain. Serves hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, snacks
and more in an outdoor atmosphere with plenty of seating and umbrellas
for shade. Open 9-4 weekdays, 9-5 weekends. Cash only.
Souvenirs:
The aquarium's book and gift shop
carries a wide selection of informative field guides, books about the
ocean and near-shore environments, marine-themed toys, clothing,
jewelry, fine art and more. Open 9:30-5 daily.
Size:
Total Aquarium: 64,157 sq. feet
Interior: 32,657 sq. feet
Tide Pool: 4,500 sq. feet
Outside Patios: 27,000 sq. feet
Operating Basis:
Non-profit, self-supporting
Accreditation:
Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Opening:
Sept. 16, 1992
Cost:
$14 million (land donated by UC San Diego)
Attendance:
400,000+ annually
Attendance from student groups:
77,000 + annually
Staff:
70 employees, 300+ volunteers
Access:
All exhibits and facilities are accessible to visitors with disabilities.
Recognitions:
Ranch & Coast magazine named Birch Aquarium at Scripps San Diego's Best Children's Activity Center or Museum in its third-annual "Readers' Choice: Best of 2008" survey.
Updated April 2008
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