From Hall of Fishes to Living Seas: Birch Aquarium’s Next Chapter

See the Hall of Fishes one last time & learn when the new exhibit, Living Seas, is slated to open at La Jolla’ marine attraction, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps.
Jess Tucker
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
From Hall of Fishes to Living Seas
Introducing Living Seas
Farewell to an Icon
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What You Can Expect
Preparing for the Future
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Birch Aquarium's Bold Vision: Introducing Living Seas

Sea Horse at Birch AquariumGray Whale Statues at Birch Aquarium

One of the most well-loved attractions in La Jolla, perhaps aside from its best beaches, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, is about to undergo a major change. The Hall of Fishes is transforming into a new experience that will be known as Living Seas!

This will be the biggest renovation since the Birch Aquarium opened in 1992, which is no small undertaking. It’s a massive project with the goal of improving the aquarium experience for all guests.

Jellyfish at Birch Aquarium
Jellyfish at Birch Aquarium

A Pivot to Immersive Environments

If you’ve ever visited the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, you’ll know that it’s one of the premier animal and marine life conservation centers in San Diego.

Next to the likes of SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo, the Birch Aquarium has strived to entertain and educate, as well as to stay on the cutting edge, and that includes how it intends for its guests to interact with its exhibits!

While the Hall of Fishes has entertained countless guests through the years, the new Living Seas exhibit aims to transform the existing tanks into a more immersive, next level experience.

The Scripps Institution hopes that the new design will encourage guests of all ages to not just appreciate the thousands of sea creatures in the exhibit, but also to learn more about their natural habitats off the Pacific Coast.

It’s yet another way that this aquarium is putting education and ocean conservation efforts at the forefront!

Local Tips
Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen
Birch Aquarium will unveil a new attraction called "Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen," featuring art installations that highlight the everyday technology assisting researchers' efforts in the Pacific. Coming October 2024.

Celebrating the Hall of Fishes One Last Time

Leopard Shark at Birch Aquarium
Leopard Shark at Birch Aquarium

It’s no understatement to say the Hall of Fishes is one of the Birch Aquarium’s defining exhibits. Over 30 years, the aquarium has welcomed more than 12 million guests, many of whom have fond memories of peering into the tanks.

That’s why the aquarium is inviting guests to celebrate the longstanding exhibit one last time before its closure.

If you’re traveling to see either the old or new exhibit, stay nearby at one of our favorite hotels in La Jolla. The La Valencia Hotel is a gorgeous option that evokes Mediterranean villas right on La Jolla’s shores.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle at Birch Aquarium
Loggerhead Sea Turtle at Birch Aquarium

A Farewell to an Icon

During the Hall of Fishes’ final days, visitors can wave goodbye by sharing their fond memories which will be added to a memory collection displayed in the aquarium.

You can still visit the Birch Aquarium’s Hall of Fishes up to the renovation start date on September 29th, though some animals like the Loggerhead Sea Turtle and Giant Pacific Octopus will be backstage in preparation for the big move starting September 3rd.

With a Go City San Diego pass, you’ll save on admission to the aquarium plus other attractions perfect for animal lovers like SEA LIFE at LEGOLAND and the San Diego Natural History Museum.

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Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Meet over 5,000 fish & sea animals at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. The All-Inclusive Go City Pass includes access to marine exhibits, interactive displays and hands-on experiences, like touching a shark!
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Who can use a Go City San Diego pass?

Adults and children (ages 3 to 12) can use the Go City San Diego pass – All-Inclusive or Explorer pass – to visit the area’s top attractions and activities.

Want to save more? Use our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF to save an extra 5%!

The Transition from Hall of Fishes to Living Seas

Living Seas is a major overhaul that will bring digital displays and projections to increase guest immersion and share information about marine life. It will also feature larger viewing windows and three distinct zones as guests progress through the hall.

Moon Jellyfish at Birch Aquarium
Moon Jellyfish at Birch Aquarium

Journey Through the Pacific

Walking through the Living Seas exhibit will be like taking a tour down California’s coast, all without having to board a boat.

The journey will start in the Pacific Northwest, which is home to jellyfish and the Giant Pacific Octopus.

Next, it will continue on to Coastal California where the Giant Kelp Forest will be relocated, plus an update to the Scripps Pier that puts research stories at the forefront.

The final zone, Tropical Pacific, will include more warm-water reef habitats and many brightly-colored fish.

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A Pacific Voyage: Birch Aquarium’s Living Seas Transformation

Outside Deck Overlooking the Ocean at Birch Aquarium
Outside Deck Overlooking the Ocean at Birch Aquarium

The current Hall of Fishes houses over 4,000 animals, and it’s a big job to keep them all happy and healthy during the construction. Lots will be going on behind the scenes while renovations are underway.

In fact, there are plenty of new things in Birch Aquarium’s future - this renovation is just the beginning!

Birch Aquarium Museum Entrance
Birch Aquarium Museum Entrance

Renovation Dates

The aquarium will be closed from September 30th-October 3rd and reopen on October 4th.

Construction on the new Living Seas exhibit isn’t planned to be complete until summer of 2025, but the aquarium plans to remain open during this time, with all other areas accessible and operating as usual.

Behind the Scenes: Preparing for the Future

In addition to continuous work on Living Seas planned through the first half of 2025, Birch Aquarium will also be unveiling a new attraction when it reopens in October 2024 - Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen. The attraction will feature art installations that highlight the everyday technology that’s assisting researchers’ efforts in the Pacific.

The aquarium’s executive director Harry Helling has also assured visitors that there’s more to come, including brand new guest experiences and the continuation of the popular Oceans at Night event.

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La Valencia Hotel
La Valencia Hotel
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Prices Starting at $325
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