Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography — Attraction in San Diego

Like with everywhere& everything now in my peoples place created from desert wilderness nothingness generations ago, I feel violated in dealing with this institution. After many decades we were finally coaxed into going. Its definitely overhyped in $mens media. + overpriced. You can see it all in

3 stars for visibility (one star review) This review may seem lengthy, but if you stick with it, you'll understand why. My experience with Birch Aquarium was so negative it felt surreal — like something that couldn’t have actually happened. But it did.

My wife bought "plan ahead" tickets on June 25th, 2025, for our family of three. We were excited — it would be our first time there. After taxes, the tickets cost just over $100, a significant amount for us as a low-income family living in San Diego. We both work full time, attend school, and I am a disabled veteran. We rely on EBT to get by.

The next day, we found out Birch offers major discounts for EBT users and the disabled — adult tickets reduced from $34.95 to $3, and kids' tickets to $2. Had we known, our visit would’ve cost just $8. My wife called immediately to explain and request either a refund or a price adjustment. She was met with rude, dismissive staff who laughed on the line and told her it was “our fault” for not checking first. Neither the discount nor the refund policy was clearly visible on their site.

When I called later, I was polite but firm. I explained our financial situation and asked why a nonprofit couldn’t honor a clearly eligible discount. I mentioned my veteran status and said if they refused to resolve it, I’d contact local news, oversight agencies, and veterans’ organizations — adding that there would be “hell to pay.” I never threatened violence or raised my voice.

That phrase was seized on. A manager came on the line and immediately accused me of threatening staff. When I said I was a disabled veteran with mobility issues and that she was being “legalistic,” she mocked me — literally denied “legalistic” was a real word. She finally said she’d apply a discount to my wife’s email, and ended by telling me to “have the day you deserve.” No apology. No thanks. No humanity.

Three days later, I received a call from UCSD Police informing me that the refund was processed — but that I was now banned from Birch Aquarium due to alleged “threats.” When I asked for clarification, they had no recording, no direct complaint, and could not name what exactly I had said that was threatening. The sergeant told me I should be careful “throwing around your veteran status,” implying that simply stating it was somehow coercive.

This entire situation — from mocking my wife, to banning me, to involving the police — because I asked for a disability discount our family qualifies for, is both shameful and absurd. It shows how easily struggling families and veterans can be dismissed, even punished, simply for speaking up.

For a nonprofit that receives over $8 million in grants, Birch Aquarium should do far better. Especially for a family that just wanted to take their kid to see some fish.

Edited for Length: Full story and details...

Quick facts: Size: Medium Est. Time in Aquarium: 2 - 2.5 hours Price: $19.50 (Adults) $15 (children +3) Best Feature(s): Seahorse/Seadragon exhibit. Recommended for: Families

The Birch has 6 main exhibits.(1) The Hall of Fish is the largest and contains approx. 40 displays, large and small, containing exotic fish, squid, starfish, crabs, manta rays, eels, turtles, etc. The hallway you walk through is dark and is illuminated by the blue light shining from the aquariums, so it adds to the underwater ambience. It can be a bit cramped in there on Saturdays, since the hallway is not very wide and can be noisy as well because of the kids running around.

(2) The Oddities exhibit primarily has dead specimens in glass of unusual underwater creatures. Some are very weird and creepy looking but is probably the most interesting exhibit.

(3) Expedition at Sea is an exhibit that takes you into the world of an ocean research vessel that gives a peek into their job and mission. There aren't any fish displayed in this exhibit, so I spent the least amount of time here.

(4) Seadragons and Seahorses contains about a dozen aquariums of these creatures. Who doesn't LOVE seahorses?!? They're so freakin' cute!

(5) Shark Shores is the smallest 'exhibit' and is primarily a medium sized water tank containing a small shark species.

(6) The Tide Pool plaza is an outdoor exhibit that gives you an up close view of other sea creatures such as sea stars, lobsters, crabs, etc. Although sometimes it can be somewhat empty.

Other than the exhibits there are some great views of the ocean at the Tide pool plaza and a small water-themed play area near the shark exhibit.

The Birch is a good way to spend an afternoon with the family. Although I would suggest not going on a Saturday as it can be quite busy and noisy. There are alot of interactive aspects and things kids can touch and play with within each exhibit so kids can definitely keep themselves busy here.

The main reasons I am not giving the Birch five stars is #1 the price; its a nice aquarium but its not very big and I feel that $20 per adult is alot. A family of four would spend nearly $70 for 2-3 hours. #2 While they do have a variety of species here, I wish they had a few larger species of creatures, outside of some large fish and the sharks, there isn't much else that has that WOW factor.

Recommended for San Diego locals but if you're visiting San Diego as a tourist I think its ok to leave it off your itinerary as there are other similar attractions (e.g. SeaWorld) that I think are better use...