[2025 San Diego Attraction] Travel Guide for Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Updated Mar)

The public outreach arm of Scripps Institution of Oceanography is Birch Aquarium at Scripps. This La Jolla gem is home to over 3000 creatures that hail from the cold water climate of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and beyond. It’s a fantastic outing in La Jolla with kids for a few hours and anyone who is interested in marine biology. Not to mention, the back patio boasts one of the best views in town in addition to a simulated ocean tide pool where you can touch sea anemones and other creatures under the guidance of docents. Other hands-on exhibits with an emphasis on conservation await inside. You can even eat and sip a local beer at the counter-service Splash Cafe by The French Gourmet. #urbanexplorer #themeparks#nationalpark#lakes#beaches#infinitypool

👍️Recommended reason: A classic tourist destination with rich natural and cultural attractions and a mix of different cultures. 📅Travel tips: Drive south on the I-5. San Diego has a well-developed rail system, so you can also park downtown and take the train. SeaWorld San Diego Birch Aquarium is the public outreach center for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Birch Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is visited by more than 439,000 people each year, including more than 40,000 schoolchildren. It is home to more than 3,000 animals representing 380 species. The hilltop site offers views of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus and the Pacific Ocean. Aircraft carrier exhibition The USS Midway Museum is a maritime museum located at the Naval Base in downtown San Diego. The museum's main attraction is the USS Midway aircraft carrier, which houses a large collection of aircraft manufactured in Southern California. The USS Midway was decommissioned in 1992 and stricken from the naval register in 1997. In 2003, the U.S. Navy donated the USS Midway to a private organization, which converted it into a museum ship. The museum opened in June 2004 in San Diego, California. 🏨Accommodation tips: There are a variety of accommodations available, including Westin, Hilton, and motels. All price ranges are available. 💗Other tips: It's best to carry a credit card for purchases. Remember to tip when dining.

San Diego's sunny days are perfect for swiping through genuine moments with my best friends. This trip to SD was everything I needed this month. I've been here three times in the last two years, and each visit feels more special than the last. An absolutely wonderful place, don't miss it if you're nearby. ° Scripps Pier, La Jolla

#naturalwonders Loved seeing all the aquatic life. Got to pet a sea cucumber. Beautiful view of the beach. The stingrays were huge swimming in the tank with sharks. Loved to see their smiles. The halibuts lay flat hiding in the sand with both their eyes on the sides of their bodies. The jelly fish are beautiful but living in Charleston I've been stung a couple of times, which doesn't feel beautiful lol. Touched a sea urchin and it doesn't feel like it looks in anyway. I found Nemo and Dory too lol. Didn't realize they were so many different types of seahorses. Waited about 20 minutes to finally see the puffer fish puff up. All in all enjoyed seeing all of the aquatic life! #aquaticlife