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Welcome
General Admission
At the Gate Pricing Adult Child
Walk-Up Entry $39.95 $34.95
Online Only Pricing Adult Child
Daily Entry $34.95 $29.95
 

Buy Online and Save

Secure your entry and save up to $20 on select dates when you buy tickets online. Admission capacity is limited, and walk-up entry is only guaranteed for members. Memberships start at $89—Join today!
 
Adult (Ages 13+)
From $39.95
Add your ticket(s) to the cart to view online-only pricing.
Child (Ages 3-12)
From $34.95
Add your ticket(s) to the cart to view online-only pricing.

 

Additional Offers

     
 
Group Sales Admission

Group Sales Discount

10+ tickets to receive the discount and you are required to adhere to the date/time of your tickets. Plan your visit and learn more.

Please view our field trip options if you are a school/youth group.
Group - Adult (Ages 13+)
From $31.95
Group - Child (Ages 3-12)
From $26.95
Adult Supervision Required
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, there must be at least 1 adult present for every 10 children (no complimentary admission for adults). Adults are responsible for ensuring the group follows all safety guidelines.
 
Annual Memberships
Thank you for your commitment to advancing our mission at Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Your membership supports our efforts to inspire a new generation of ocean stewards and promote a deeper appreciation for the importance of conservation.

Memberships may be purchased online with a credit card. For questions about payment options, please email aquariuminfo@ucsd.edu.
Coastal Explorer
Price: $89.00
Benefits Include: Unlimited access for a year for 1 adult, 10% off at Blue Wave Bistro and Gift Shop, special member news and insider tips, and access to unique member opportunities.
Coastal Ambassador
Price: $139.00
Benefits Include: Unlimited access for a year for 1 adult plus a guest, 10% off at Blue Wave Bistro and Gift Shop, special member news and insider tips, and access to unique member opportunities.
Ocean Protector
Price: $249.00
Benefits Include: Unlimited access for a year for 2 named adults* plus up to 4 children, 10% off at Blue Wave Bistro and Gift Shop, special member news and insider tips, and access to unique member opportunities.
 
*Host Option: Instead of naming a second adult on your membership, you may select Guest (Unnamed), which allows you to host a guest during your visit. Your guest cannot use your membership unaccompanied.
Ocean Champion
Price: $499.00
Benefits Include: Unlimited access for a year for 2 named adults* plus up to 4 children, 20% off at Blue Wave Bistro and Gift Shop, special member news and insider tips, access to unique member opportunities, and priority camp registration. Also included are 2 event tickets to any Oceans at Night or Halloween Aglow.

Perk Alert: This membership includes a transferable VIP card, which grants aquarium admission for up to 3 guests without the member being present. ​​​​​​
 
*Host Option: Instead of naming a second adult on your membership, you may select Guest (Unnamed), which allows you to host a guest during your visit. Your guest cannot use your membership unaccompanied.


Friends of Birch Aquarium



When you give $1,000.00 or more, your benefits will include:
Free admission for up to six people on each visit, plus priority registration for camps, 20% off at the Blue Wave Bistro & Gift Shop, exclusive members-only events, and much more!

Click Here to Give Now
 
Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Tour Policies

  • Participants must wear closed-toed shoes during the tour.
  • Participants must be at least ages 8+. Minors must be with an adult.
  • No refunds are available for tours.
  • Tickets must be purchased at least 1 hour prior to start time.
Behind-the-Scenes: Penguins
From $90.00
Learn what makes Little Blue Penguins so unique and how you can help protect this special seabird. Go behind the scenes at our Penguin Care and Conservation Center to meet a Penguin Care Team member and see the penguins up close. Prices may vary by date. Refunds are not available for tours.
Behind-the-Scenes: Seahorses
From $50.00
Explore the secret lives of seahorses in this one-hour, educator-led experience. Tour the Seadragons & Seahorses exhibit, go behind the scenes to see how we care for these fascinating creatures, and discover how Birch Aquarium supports global conservation efforts. Prices may vary by date. Refunds are not available for tours.
 
Front-of-House Tours
Please note that our front-of-house tours do not include aquarium admission. You will need a valid form of entry (general admission, membership, third-party tickets, etc.) in addition to your tour registration.
Aquarium Insider Tour
Price: $30.00
Aquarium Admission Not Included
Uncover the hidden gems of Birch Aquarium through this 45-minute guided tour. An educator will guide you through the public-facing portion of the Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery, sharing insider stories and secrets of the aquarium! Refunds are not available for tours. This tour does not go behind-the-scenes.
 
Lectures & Talks
Seating is limited and advanced reservations are required for all guests, including members.
 
Perspectives Lecture Series
Regular Price: $12.00
Member Price: $0.00
Join us for the upcoming lecture—Science and Solutions for Our Ocean Planet—featuring Nancy Knowlton, the founder and first director of Scripps Oceanography's Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (CMBC), which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
 
Session Science and Solutions: Monday, September 14, 2026 7:00PM - 8:00PM SOLD OUT
 
Marine Science Club
Dive into discovery with Birch Aquarium’s Marine Science Club for children ages 6 to 10! Guided by experienced educators, kids will explore vibrant underwater worlds, participate in hands-on science activities and get up close with fascinating marine animals.
Aquarium Explorers Club
Price: $25.00
Ages 6-7
Register for one or more of our 1-day clubs (price listed per 1-day club). Clubs meet on select Sundays in October and November from 1 to 3 p.m. Select your club below.
 
 Date  1-Day Clubs
 10/11/26   Fishy Friends 
 10/18/26   Magical Molluscs 
 10/25/26   Sensational Sea Turtles 
 11/1/26   Playful Penguins
 11/8/26   Marvelous Marine Mammals 
 11/15/26   Amazing Amphibians
All clubs Ages 6-7 meet at Birch Aquarium.
Aquarium Adventure Club
Price: $25.00
Ages 8-10
Register for one or more of our 1-day clubs (price listed per 1-day club). Clubs are on select Saturdays in September and October from 1 to 3 p.m. Select your club below.
 
 Date  1-Day Clubs
 9/12/26   Incredible Invertebrates 
 9/19/26   Sharks and Food Webs 
 9/26/26   Aquarium 101 
 10/3/26   Deep Sea Discoveries 
 10/10/26   Tropical Reefs 
 10/17/26   Scripps Science*
*This 1-day club meets at Scripps Pier. All other clubs meet at Birch Aquarium.
 
Outdoor Adventures
Explore the natural world on an unforgettable experience led by Birch Aquarium naturalists. Advanced registration required; capacity is limited.
 
Scripps Pier Walks
Regular Price: $40.00
Member Price: $35.00
Discover research conducted at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, dissect a squid, examine plankton under a microscope, learn about local shark research and more on an exclusive walking tour of Scripps Pier!
 
Participants must be ages 9 and up. All minors (ages 9 – 17) must have their own ticket and be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Children under the age of 9 (including infants and toddlers) are not permitted on the Scripps Pier under any circumstances.
Tidepooling Adventures at Scripps Beach
Regular Price: $25.00
Member Price: $20.00
Meets at Scripps Pier
Join a Birch Aquarium naturalist to explore this local tide pool and learn about its unique animals. Discover the importance of this ever-changing environment and how you can help protect these habitats.
 
All participants must be at least 6 years old on the day of the program. Minors (ages 6–17) require a ticket and must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Children under 6, including infants and toddlers, will not be able to participate in the guided tidepooling experience.
Tidepooling Adventures at Kellogg Park
Regular Price: $25.00
Member Price: $20.00
Meets at Kellogg Park
Join a Birch Aquarium naturalist to explore this local tide pool and learn about its unique animals. Discover the importance of this ever-changing environment and how you can help protect these habitats.
 
All participants must be at least 6 years old on the day of the program. Minors (ages 6–17) require a ticket and must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Children under 6, including infants and toddlers, will not be able to participate in the guided tidepooling experience.
 
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