Discover the Mysteries of the Deep at Birch Aquarium

Great middle-sized aquarium. We bought tickets online before coming here on a Saturday afternoon and they were almost sold out. Check-in was smooth, all the staff were great. It's a wonderful place to learn about the coast, its ecosystem, all the flora & fauna. We saw many of these fish for the first time ever. Don't miss the blue penguins, they are so funny! The ocean view is breathtaking as well.

We were looking for a fun, affordable activity to do on vacation because it was way too windy for the beach. I found Birch Aquarium online, and we decided to check it out. The location is awesome, up on a hillside with views of the ocean. It was easy to get to, and parking was a breeze. I would suggest getting your tickets online as they say they can sell out sometimes. We arrived around 11, and there were a couple of school groups, but they left at about 12 pm, so it was a lot less busy after that. We ended up having lunch at their outdoor cafe, and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food. The guacamole and chips were fresh, and the breakfast sandwich was hearty and delicious. The aquarium itself was a lot of fun! We saw the tanks with the Pacific aquatic creatures first, and it takes you on a journey from the North Pacific to the South Pacific. Next was the tide pool exhibit where we could touch some of the aquatic life. With volunteers and staff there to keep an eye on the aquatic life and answer questions and share details, it was a neat experience. We finished with the shark exhibit, which was a bit underwhelming, the seahorses and sea dragons, which were incredible, and the penguins, which were totally adorable and fun to observe. I would recommend this experience as it was educational, fun, and affordable.

Very cool and educational place to spend a couple hours. My 13year old son and I had a blast! Great for all ages. It's dark in some areas so watch out for the knee high kids that's dart out from the abyss. They'll trip you lol. Feeding time is exciting to watch. The schedule is very easy to access online. I was impressed

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.

Such a lovely aquarium that was so much fun for the family to go through. Plus the scenery is beyond gorgeous. We spent a good 3 hours there and saw just about everything. Highly recommend it especially if you have young kiddos.