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Stephen Birch Aquarium - Museum

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.0 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #5 of 38 attractions in La Jolla
Traveler Description:
This aquarium-museum focuses on ocean science education through its 34 aquarium displays, demonstration tide pools, ocean science museum and a... more » This aquarium-museum focuses on ocean science education through its 34 aquarium displays, demonstration tide pools, ocean science museum and a tropical seas gallery. « less
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Attraction type: Aquarium, Natural history museum, Other
Address: 2300 Expedition Way at North Torrey Pines Road
Scripps Institute La Jolla, CA 92037
Tel: 858 534 3474
Fax: 858 534 7114

TripAdvisor Traveler Reviews

Reviews of Stephen Birch Aquarium - Museum

( 1-8 of 8 )
3 of 5 stars
Weimar, CA
Aug 1, 2008

This is a small aquarium--nowhere near the caliber of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Still my son enjoyed looking at the fish and playing in the tidepools (although many beaches in La Jolla have real tide pools that are much more interesting). It was very crowded with young kids (under 5 set) and is probably better for that age. The shark... more

Jul 13, 2008

Our family (me, my husband, 7&9 year old girls) greatly enjoyed visiting this nonprofit aquarium run by Scripps Institute of Oceanography, which featured impressive exhibits about oceans, sea life, and climate change, and showcased research from Scripps scientists. Information was presented in an understandable and interesting manner for both kids and adults. Exhibits include numerous tanks of fish, including sharks,... more

5 of 5 stars
horse country - PA
Apr 9, 2008

Created by Scripps Institute of Oceanography, you'd expect this aquarium to be educational and fun....and it sure delivers. We spent a most enjoyable 1/2 day here perusing the exhibits, the views, and the educational tools this aquarium provides. We learned a lot about the research projects being conducted by Scripps - very interesting. The displays are wonderful, with many types... more

5 of 5 stars
Tucson, AZ
Sep 1, 2007
1/1 found this review helpful

The Birch Aquarium, just off the UCSD campus in La Jolla, is part of the Scripps Oceanographic Institute. While it certainly doesn't get the same billing as Sea World or other animal attractions in the San Diego area, it is certainly worth the short drive up the coast. First of all, it is very reasonable, with adults tickets only $11... more

4 of 5 stars
Nebraska
Apr 1, 2007
0/1 found this review helpful

We checked out the aquarium on a weekday, and it was still pretty busy. It's not huge and it is pretty crowded, but if you're patient you can see everything when the exhibits aren't covered up by people. There is also an area with educational exhibits catered to children (they rotate, when we were there it was DNA and earthquakes,... more

Dec 28, 2006
0/1 found this review helpful

Beautiful facilities, small crowds and a great price. Great for families of all ages... been going for years. A great way to spend half a day. Don't miss out! Excellent exhibits and location. I've visited the Monterrey Aquarium and the Aquarium of the Pacific and this is by far my favorite! more

5 of 5 stars
new york
Feb 24, 2006
4/4 found this review helpful

We were staying at Carlsbad and had one extra day so we decided to check out this aquarium. My 6yr old nephew loved it!! We all had fun, too. The aquarium is little small but has few different sections and the display of sea life are great!! There were so many sea creature to see for a small place and... more

4 of 5 stars
Richmond, California
Feb 12, 2004
6/7 found this review helpful

I expected this aquarium to be similar to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium or Aquarium of the Americas. It is a small and rather limited facility with an interesting display of seahorses. Even though there are statues of gray whales at the entrance, there was little else about gray whales inside. I found more gray whale information at the Cabrillo Monoment.... more

Reviews of Stephen Birch Aquarium - Museum

( 1-8 of 8 )
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Stephen Birch Aquarium - Museum: Management Resources

Stephen Birch Aquarium - Museum Address

2300 Expedition Way at North Torrey Pines Road, Scripps Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
Tel: 858 534 3474 Fax: 858 534 7114