Studying at UC San Diego means having a whole aquarium at your fingertips, where, for once, you’re not being watched by a tour group like animals in an enclosure. Whether you’re planning a date, showing your family around La Jolla, or just need a break from studying in the darkest depths of Geisel Library, we hope these tips will help you plan your next day trip to Birch Aquarium.
Getting there: Catch the SIO Shuttle — which leaves every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends — at the Library Walk, Revelle College, or Eighth College bus stops and take it straight to Birch Aquarium. If you miss the shuttle, the Route 30 bus also runs every 15 minutes on weekdays and 30 minutes on weekends. Both options are free for students through the PRONTO app. Hop off at La Jolla Shores Drive and Discovery Way for a nine-minute walk to Birch. If you’d rather drive, Birch offers free three-hour parking on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to go early.
Before you go: Download Birch’s digital guide to get the rundown on any special keeper talks or events — including daily little blue penguin feedings at 10 a.m. — happening on the day of your visit. Make sure to save $6 on general admission tickets with the promo code UCSDSTUDENT at online checkout — every extra penny counts when you’re a broke college student. Put all that money you saved toward whatever slightly overpriced sea animal plushie calls your name at the gift shop to commemorate the day. At the beginning of the academic year, Birch usually offers free student tickets, so keep your eyes peeled during Triton Weeks of Welcome!
What to see: The most popular exhibits are the sea dragons, penguins, and floor-to-ceiling kelp forest. All of these are great if you’re looking to diversify your Instagram feed with aquatic shots or if you want some quiet contemplation after a long day. Do a full loop of the aquarium — visit the octopus, watch the sharks swim outside, be mesmerized by the big wall of fish, and stand on motion sensor spots to hear aquatic sounds like whale calls. The new mountain yellow-legged frog exhibit is definitely a must-see as well. This walk-through area features huge trees crafted from recycled cardboard, an interactive, projected frog pond, and a wish tree — all leading up to the actual frogs! You can read about the team behind the species restoration efforts at plaques throughout this section; they may even pique your interest in a career you had never considered.
The little blue penguins exhibit is easy to spend hours in. Aquarium goers can walk straight up to the glass for some face time with the penguins, watch them dive, and explore hidden viewing points to see their daily routines. By matching their color arm bands with posters on the walls you can figure out the penguins’ names; we loved Persimmon especially!
Also, don’t miss out on the touch pools for a fun sensory activity; why stay at your dorm and play with a NeeDoh when you can pet a starfish or a sea cucumber? Behind these, you can catch magnificent views of the ocean — you may choose to meditate or brag to your family that you live here — before heading out for something to eat.
What to eat: The Blue Wave Bistro, located just outside the aquarium, is ready to rescue you from the hunger that snuck up after all that walking. Sit under the umbrellas overlooking the massive whale fountain as you peruse the menu. We tried the Blue Wave angus beef burger and the grilled triple cheese sandwich, which came with roasted tomato soup. The sourdough from the sandwich was grilled with bits of cheese crisped right onto the outer crust, adding a satisfying crunch that complemented each cheese-stuffed bite even when dipped into the tomato soup. What was not as satisfying was the price, so save the $16 and choose somewhere that offers a student discount.
The Blue Wave burger combo was also slightly underwhelming. If you’re a sodium fiend, you’ll love the fries, but the restaurant needed a lighter hand when it came to seasoning. On the bright side, the lettuce was crispy, and the presentation of the burger was impeccable. The patty on the burger was gargantuan, though overcooked. Overall, the burger was just average, but if you’re starving, this will do the trick!
What to do after: There’s no shortage of good weather in La Jolla, so plan the appropriate after-Birch picnic or activity at La Jolla Shores. If you’re still feeling hungry, Caroline’s Seaside Cafe has much to offer with a 30% discount for students; you can’t go wrong with the avocado toast or chicken sandwich. The Scripps Coastal Trail is just up the road from the cafe — perfect for a little digestion walk! If that doesn’t float your boat, find the Route 30 bus once again and ride it to La Jolla proper. PopUp Bagels is the ultimate addition to a beach picnic for its shareable portions and enormous tubs of cream cheese. To save a few bucks, bring your own snacks from your nearest campus market. End your trip with some light studying or Instagram post planning at one of the many student-friendly coffee shops around town, like Java Earth Coffee or Parakeet Cafe!
We hope that you get all the pictures you could ever want of the little blue penguins and that your aquarium day goes swimmingly!
