Membership
Experience unlimited admission for a year of fun and exploration at the aquarium plus special discounts on behind-the-scenes tours, Gift Shop and Blue Wave Bistro. Your membership helps further our mission to connect understanding to protecting our ocean planet!
May Member Perk
During The Big Exchange, Birch Aquarium members can take advantage of more than two weeks of reciprocity to local museums, historic sites, gardens and more! The Big Exchange takes place from May 1-18, 2025. Visit the San Diego Museum Council's website to learn more about participating organizations.
Membership Levels
Individual
Member benefits for one adult, including unlimited admission for a year, 2 guest passes and 10% off at Blue Wave Bistro and The Gift Shop.
Dual
Member benefits for two adults*, including unlimited admission for a year, 2 guest passes and 10% off at Blue Wave Bistro and The Gift Shop.
Family
Member benefits for two adults* and four children (ages 3-17), including unlimited admission for a year, 4 guest passes and 10% off at Blue Wave Bistro and The Gift Shop.
Ocean Sponsors
Member benefits for two adults* and all children in the household (ages 3-17), including unlimited admission for a year, 4 guest passes, 20% off at Blue Wave Bistro and The Gift Shop and special access to conservation and educational opportunities.
Coral Reef Ambassadors
Member benefits for two adults* and all children in the household (ages 3-17), including unlimited admission for a year, 4 guest passes, free registration for two to a Sunset Scripps Pier Walk, 20% off at Blue Wave Bistro and The Gift Shop and special access to conservation and educational opportunities.
Friends of Birch Aquarium
Friends of Birch Aquarium is a giving society furthering youth, access and education through support of the aquarium's mission.
For additional information, please see our Friends of Birch Aquarium Page or contact Guido Oliva, Assistant Director of Development, ggolivafabila@ucsd.edu.
UC San Diego Student
Member benefits for one adult, including unlimited admission for a year and 10% off at Blue Wave Bistro and The Gift Shop.
UC San Diego Faculty and Staff
UC San Diego faculty and staff receive $10 off Family, Dual, or Individual memberships.
To receive this discount, please call 858-534-5771.
Special Notes
*Unnamed Guest Eligible: The Unnamed Guest option takes the place of the second adult and gives you the flexibility to host a different person with you on each visit.
Please note, we do not collect children’s names or personal information for membership.
All memberships must have a named adult (ages 18 and up).
Memberships are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Your privacy is our priority, review our Membership Program Data Privacy Policy here.
For additional information, please contact our Membership Department at aqmmembership@ucsd.edu.
FAQs and Rules
- Become/Renew Membership
There are several ways to become a member or renew a membership:
- Online — existing members enter your member number and last name to link to your account. New members follow the prompts in checkout.
- Phone — call Guest Services at 858-534-5771.
- In-Person — visit Guest Services
- Mail in renewal form with a check payable to UC Regents.
Please note, all Birch Aquarium memberships must have an adult (ages 18 and up) named on the membership.
- Visiting as a Member
No reservations required for members. Present your member card along with your ID to enjoy the aquarium!
- Membership Start Date
- Your membership begins immediately at the time of purchase. Recipients of a Gift Membership can redeem their membership whenever they’re ready.
- If purchased online/phone/email, a mobile membership card (with member number), your guest passes, and instructions for visiting the aquarium will be sent by email.
- If purchased in person at Guest Services, you will receive your membership card(s) and guest passes immediately that can be used the same day.
- Membership Card
- To allow us to be sustainable, membership cards and guest passes are not automatically mailed, but can be mailed upon request.
- One card is issued for each named adult on your membership.
- If membership includes a Caregiver, that person will also receive their own card.
- Member Guest Passes
- Guest passes are a one-time use ticket for general aquarium admission.
- Members do not have to be present for guest passes to be used.
- Guest passes have the same expiration date as your membership.
- Member Refunds/Transfer
- Memberships are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
- Membership transactions are tax-deductible contributions to Birch Aquarium, and as such cannot be refunded, transferred, resold or exchanged.
- Unnamed Guest Option*
- The Unnamed Guest option gives you the flexibility to host a different person with you on each visit for the duration of your membership. It takes the place of the second adult on Dual level and above.
- For Dual level and above, you can either name the second adult OR host an Unnamed Guest. This choice is made when purchasing your membership and cannot be changed for the duration of your membership.
- Adding a Nanny/Caregiver to Membership
- Caregiver membership is available as an add-on when purchasing a membership online.
- If you are already an existing member and would like to add the Caregiver membership, call our Guest Services Department at 858-534-5771.
- Is My Membership Tax Deductible
Depending on the cost of your membership level, any additional donations, and the fair market value of the goods and services received, there may be deductibility for income tax purposes. Contact our Membership Department at aqmmembership@ucsd.edu for your specific tax deductibility information.