Visit

Welcome to Birch Aquarium at Scripps 

View a stunning variety of colorful marine life featured in more than 60 habitats  fishes and invertebrates from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and beyond — all while enjoying incredible ocean views! Interact with hands-on exhibits that showcase cutting-edge research discoveries by Scripps Oceanography scientists on climate, earth, and ocean science.

Tickets and Daily Schedule

Reserve Tickets

Birch Aquarium Single-Day tickets are only available for purchase online. Advanced reservations are required for all guests, including members. Walk-up sales are not available.

Reserve Tickets

Hours and Daily Schedule
  • Open Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in July and August) 
  • Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Days.
  • The last entry time is at 4 p.m. and the aquarium closes at 5 p.m.

Daily Schedule 

Directions & Parking

Address

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is located at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, California

Parking

Birch Aquarium at Scripps offers free 3-hour parking in the lot. If you would like to extend your visit, parking permits are available at the Visitor Services office for a small fee. 

Oversized Vehicles

Please note that oversized vehicles such as buses (school or charter), RVs, and trailers are not permitted to park in Birch Aquarium's parking lot. There is limited large vehicle parking available along La Jolla Shores Drive, west of Birch Aquarium.

Exhibits

Explore Exhibits

View a stunning variety of colorful marine life featured in more than 60 habitats. Interact with hands-on exhibits that showcase cutting-edge research discoveries that have profound impacts on what we know about Earth and how these discoveries are relevant to our everyday lives.

Explore Exhibits    

Aquarium Map

 Aquarium Map

FAQs and Rules

Know Before You Visit

Have some questions before you visit? Check out our FAQs and Rules to find answers. 

FAQs and Rules

Dining 

Splash Café

Splash Café by the French Gourmet is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Gift Shop

Birch Aquarium Gift Shop

The Birch Aquarium Gift Shop is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily — except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day — and is accessible even if you are not visiting Birch Aquarium. Features gifts, books, and apparel, including Birch Aquarium and Scripps Institution of Oceanography branded items.

Shop Now

Online Store

Our online store features a collection of some the best-selling items from our Gift Shop including a new line of limited-edition apparel tees for adults and children that feature some of your favorite Birch Aquarium animals like our Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Moon Jellies, Leopard Sharks and our Giant Pacific Octopus. 

Shop Online

Accessibility

Accessibility

Birch Aquarium strives to be fully accessible to all of our guests. Learn more about the facility, parking and more. 

Accessibility Page

ATM

ATM

A California Coast Credit Union ATM is available next to Splash! Cafe.

 

 


Our Guest Services is happy to answer any questions you may have — you can reach them by phone (858) 534-3474 or email aquariuminfo@ucsd.edu.