Birch Aquarium
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Scenic Setting
An extension of the world-renowned Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Birch Aquarium is located on the seaside campus of University of California San Diego in La Jolla. Founded more than 100 years ago, the aquarium offers visitors the chance to view sharks, seahorses, and live coral reefs in a wide variety of habitats on a bluff overlooking the sea.
Outdoor Activities
Take a stroll along the beach and through the Scripps campus before entering the aquarium, which features rotating exhibits (the most recent offering is a multimedia whale display which focuses on communication between gray, humpback, sperm, blue and beaked whales).
Breeding Season
Peek into the aquarium's nursery and view miniature fishes bred and raised by Birch Aquarium aquarists--a conservation effort that helps reduce collecting pressure on wild species.
Fun for the Kids
Kids and adults alike will love the tactile displays in the Wonders of Water display, which educates all ages about floods and landslides and invites visitors to build their own miniature watershed in a trough. Everyone can enjoy the tide-pools and an exhibit dedicated to animals that use camouflage to survive!
Education for All Ages
The aquarium sponsors and runs a variety of educational activities aimed at instilling students with a sense of wonder at, and respect for, the ocean and its inhabitants. This dedication extends to all its displays and school programs. Adults can learn a lot from the exhibit about climate change called Feeling the Heat.
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Organization type: Public Aquaria
Birch Aquarium
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, CA 92037
US
North America
(858) 534-FISH
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