- Idler
- First Reviewer
- 3 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 4
- Reviews
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13
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Fishy Journey
- July 12, 2009
- Rated 4 of 5 by
cmeekins03 from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
This is nice small aquarium with a really neat set of outdoor exhibits. We managed to time our visit so we could see the shark feeding. They actually use a feeder stick and make sure that each one gets the amount they need so the whole feeding time takes over 30 minutes. It was pretty interesting.
They also have a set of very cool shallow tide pools on the ocean side of the building where you can touch some marine animals including starfish and anemone which are really sticky. Other animals out there include crabs which not surprisingly, you can't touch.
Inside they had a really cool octopus, some jellyfish, seahorses, angelfish, and a host of other fish. There are also some interactive games and flannel board activities for the kids young and old. My kids liked the flannel board where you could put the fish among the seaweed.
The interactive portions of the aquarium definitely made it a worthwhile visit. You can find small discount coupons pretty easily online. The kids enjoyed looking through their cute gift shop and picked up anemone bracelets that feel somewhat like the real thing. The kids had a great time here, and it was a great place to let them play with their cameras as we didn't have to deal with stowing them away like you would at an amusement park.
From journal Jam-Packed Family Trip to San Diego
Editor Pick
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
- March 2, 2007
- Rated 3 of 5 by
thestickman23 from Saddle Brook, New Jersey
If you are in San Diego, more specifically the La Jolla area for more than 4 days, I would recommend visiting the Birch Aquarium at Scripps . This extraordinary facility is situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific and features over 60 tank displays, a demonstration tide pool, a movieride, and an interactive museum. This aquarium is run by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and is the largest oceanographic exhibit in the United States. Admission to the aquarium runs $10 or $11 for adults, around $7 for children, and they also offer discounts to seniors (over 60) and college students (with ID). The aquarium is also open daily from 9am to 5pm, except for some holidays.
In order to take full advantage of the Birch Aquarium, I recommend picking up a visitor guide/map when entering the facility. One of the most popular and my favorite attraction at the aquarium was the 70,000 gallon tank that holds the giant kelp forest. These kelp forests are a big part of the La Jolla underwater eco-system. After viewing the kelp forest, and if you are interested in seeing this beauty in person, head to the La Jolla Cove and snorkel or scuba to see the forests first hand.
Another great attraction at the Birch Aquarium is the "Secrets of the Seahorse" exhibit. This 2,000 square foot exhibit allows visitors to view dozens of different sea horses and related species, as well as the threats to this animal and its survival. This attraction also has plenty of educational hands-on experiences for kids and adults.
The Tide-Pool Plaza Discovery Center is featured outside of the aquarium and has great views of the Pacific Ocean. While the parents are enjoying the breathtaking views their kids are busy touching starfish, sea urchins, and horseshoe crabs, just to name a few. Not only will you and your family get a chance to touch these unique creatures you will also be educated by the Aquariums specialists.
Though I only described a couple of the great exhibits at the Birch Aquarium there is also a Morphis: Movieride, Reef Shark Tank Exhibit, Dive Shows on certain days (I did not get to experience one), and a cool exhibit featuring everyday products that we use that have ingredients that come from the sea (some of the products might really surprise you).
From journal La Jolla (the Jewel)
Birch Aquarium
As you walk up to the aquarium, you are greeted by a wonderful statue of a whale. I arrived just in time to see the feeding of the sharks.
This is a true aquarium with several displays of California ocean life. The exhibits are beautifully done.
Outside there is a tide pool with ocean life and great views of La Jolla. There is also a children's exhibit that I enjoyed (and I am well past being a child!). There were simulation activities available that I did not do.
This was a great place to take kids that is fun and educational. As an adult, I enjoyed it, and it was a great way to spend a couple of hours.
From journal Week in La Jolla, California
Editor Pick
Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institute
- February 1, 2006
- Rated 3 of 5 by
Idler from Poolesville, Maryland
We’re what you might call aquarium connoisseurs. We live within striking distance of the immense National Aquarium in Baltimore, plus wherever we travel, we seek out aquariums, such as the splendid ones in Boston, Chattanooga, Chicago, and Monterrey. We’re avid snorkelers, too, so we’ve got a lot of first-hand reef experience and are keen observers of aquatic life. Needless to say, we expected great things of the Birch Aquarium, associated with the world-famous Scripps Institute. Alas, while the aquarium is perfectly adequate, it didn’t really live up to our expectations.
This is not to say that it’s not worth going to. For starters, the entry fee is a reasonable $11 for adults. Large aquariums, such as Baltimore’s, run to around $22, while commercial ventures, such as Sea World, will set you back fifty smackers. The Birch Aquarium is also to be commended for showcasing California sea life. The largest tank, for example, illustrates the inhabitants of a kelp forest similar to the ones just offshore. Furthermore, the setting for the aquarium is stunning, perched up on cliffs overlooking La Jolla’s scenic coast. Just don’t go expecting something comparable to a large aquarium and your expectations will probably be met, particularly if you have young children in tow.
If you don’t have young children along, however, there are a few things to consider. First, consider going on a school day. Weekends are quite crowded, and even though there are signs telling parents not to take strollers through the heavily trafficked tank area, the rule doesn’t seem to be enforced very well. There is also the perennial problem of any museum that has a lot of glass surfaces and lots of children--it’s impossible to keep the glass from become grimy, no matter how vigilant the cleaning crew. As E.F. Benson once remarked, "Children are so sticky, especially after tea."
The much-vaunted hands-on tide pool area is extremely popular, and there’s an education center with various easy-to-understand scientific displays on such things as earthquakes. In short, the aquarium does a good job of catering to families with young children.
If you can manage to go at a relatively quiet time, check out the displays featuring seahorses, including leafy seahorses blending uncannily with the aquatic plants in their tanks. There are extensive displays on invertebrates, such as sea anemones, and tanks of ethereal moon jellyfish back lit in dark tanks for optimal effect. Another star attraction, a giant octopus, was putting on quite a show slithering around his tank when we visited. I got a big chuckle out of an ungainly fish named the Sarcastic fringehead--you can’t fault marine biologists for their sense of humor, apparently.
Of particular interest are the aquarium’s public programs. During winter and early spring, naturalist-guided whale watching tours are offered, including weekend trips to whale calving lagoons in Baja, Mexico. Such a trip, making use of the institute’s considerable expertise, might be something we’ll consider next time we’re in the area.
From journal New Year's in La Jolla