Discover the Mysteries of the Deep at Birch Aquarium

Came here on the weekend when family was visiting the area. Do NOT recommend going on a weekend if you actually want to enjoy your visit and view the exhibits comfortably. It was especially irritating since you're required to buy timed tickets in advance online. WHY are they timed if the aquarium still lets in fifty eleven hundred people in at the same time?? This aquarium is pretty limited as aquariums go. Most tanks or viewing windows are too small for many people to view simultaneously. You kind of get shuffled into two opposing lines, waiting patiently for your turn to take a peek while the group behind you is breathing down your neck. The shark exhibit wasn't visually appealing, and it was difficult to even see them clearly in the dark area. The touch tanks were set up outside, like afterthoughts. They weren't impressive and were right next to a pond of stagnant water. I did appreciate their pretty decent seahorse and jellyfish exhibits. I've definitely seen more extensive ones, but for as small as Birch is, they did an okay job. The markers were clear, easy to follow and read. The gift shop was large and fun to browse. If you're a fan of aquariums, have young children, and you're in the area, check it out on a weekday. Personally, I wouldn't go out of my way again.

We came to the aquarium since we had some time to kill, and I was very satisfied with it! On the outside looking in, it looked small to me and relatively unassuming. However, I've found that this was one of the best ones I've visited! They had touch tanks outside, which was awesome. The outside also faces the ocean and there is a beautiful view. I did not touch any of the animals since I've volunteered at an aquarium before and was very familiar with them, but they looked like they were taken care of. The tanks were amazing and had ample room for all of the creatures in them. I really enjoyed the eels and the sharks, as well as the seahorses. The gift shop was also really cool. One thing I noticed was that some of their stuffed sharks had gills sharpied onto them, which I thought was... interesting! I got a set of 3 pins for ~$30 which is a really good price. The pins are very quality and I am super happy to have a memento of my visit to this aquarium!

Went today with my wife and daughter. Have always loved this place since I was a kid. My wife has never been and this was my daughters first. The research and conservation work they do there is great. They now have blue penguins that they bred there. Kids love the tide pools. This place is completely great to bring your kid to and let them go. The staff are all friendly, nice ,helpful, and genuine. A happy place to be.

It’s small but enough to have fun! I’ve spent here 2 hours looking at amazing kinds of fish, got to see sharks and penguins. The Aquarium deserves to be praised for their work with the injured turtle, it’s so good to see that she’s doing well after such issues. There’s a really good shop too with many cool things (don’t go there you’ll spend 50$)!

Birch Aquarium offers a pristine and accessible experience, boasting easy parking and a clean environment. While there's some walking involved to reach the location, the stunning view of San Diego's jewel, La Jolla, makes it worth it. Utilizing my AAA discount was a bonus. The aquarium provides an abundance of educational options and multiple interactive exhibits, with highlights including the captivating seahorse and penguin displays. It's an ideal destination for families with kids aged 5 and older, offering an engaging opportunity to learn about the diverse creatures of the ocean.