Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Pros: Beautiful setting and views, touch pools
Cons: Very small, limited inside viewings

We visited the Birch Aquarium at Scripps during Christmas vacation week 2004. The approach to the aquarium really raised my expectations for what I would see inside. First of all, there was a beautiful setting on a cliff overlooking the ocean. A small ...

Pros: Beautiful modern facility on a bluff overlooking the ocean
Cons: Overpriced, too small, charges for parking

Everyone who's ever watched a National Geographic or Nova program has heard of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography -- one of the nation's most highly regarded scientific research institutes. You might expect that an aquarium at such a facility would be...

Pros: Beautiful modern facility on a bluff overlooking the ocean
Cons: Overpriced, too small, charges for parking

Everyone who's ever watched a National Geographic or Nova program has heard of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography -- one of the nation's most highly regarded scientific research institutes. You might expect that an aquarium at such a facility would be...

Pros: Reasonably cheap; great view; reasonably good exhibits
Cons: Staff is mostly non-existent; rather small; many exhibits have the same fish

The Birch Aquarium in La Jolla is literally down the road from UC San Diego, which is good since it is part of the university. Unlike other aquariums, Birch is operated by the school with many of the staff being students, instructors, or other staff from ...

Pros: Great information on oceanography
Cons: Parking is limited and not free

My husband and I have visited many aquariums across the country including the Ma ui Ocean Center, Baltimore Aquarium, New Jersey State Aquarium, Tennessee Aquarium and the Key West Aquarium. What's important to keep in ...

Pros: Incredible displays, nice/modern/clean
Cons: ummm... no free parking?

I've lived near this aquarium for years, and never really made the effort to go. My wife and I have been to Monterey Bay numerous times and LOVE it, we were really disappointed with the Long Beach aquarium and just didn't think anything could match...

Pros: Affordable, interesting and educational. Can be done in a day trip.
Cons: None

Housed at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in San Diego, California is the Birch Aquarium. Both locals and visitors should be certain to take the time to visit this very affordable and interesting place.

My kids have been going to Birch...

Pros: Great exhibits!
Cons: No food

My son and I went to the Birch Aquarium while my husband was in San Diego for business and had a great time!!!! We would definitely go again!

We visited in May, on a Thursday, and ended up spending the entire day there!

My son...

Pros: It is educational and open year round.
Cons: None.

My family and I visited the Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla, California the day after Christmas. It was priced at $8.50 per adult, and $5.00 per child.

When we arrived just outside the aquarium, there was a beautiful water fountain with...