🐧 Birch Aquarium in San Diego | Meet the Blue Penguins! 🐧💙

Just had an amazing day trip from Irvine! Started at the Birch Aquarium, had lunch in Del Mar, and ended the day at Legoland – perfect timing from 9 AM to 7 PM 🕘🏡. The aquarium tickets are $29.95 per adult (purchased on-site). Though you can explore it in under an hour, it’s totally worth it! 🎟️✨ It’s educational, fun, and even offers stunning ocean views 🌊. Highlights: Blue Penguins (Little Penguins): The smallest penguin species in the world 🐧! Native to Australia, and Birch Aquarium is the only place in the U.S. where you can see them. They’re a subtle grey-blue (almost peacock blue) and super curious – they swam right up to us! Souvenir Alert: Penguin magnet for $9.7 🧲💸 Touch Pools: Got to feel live starfish (smooth and springy!), sea cucumbers (soft like velvet!), sea urchins (gently suctioned my finger!), and even shark eggs that look like seaweed 🦈🥚 – so cool! Weedy Seadragons: From Australia too – looked like tiny underwater motors with fins 🌿👀 Legoland Tip: Pre-book tickets online (around ¥270 RMB) at least 2 days ahead – last-minute deals are rare! 🎢🧩 #SanDiego #BirchAquarium #BluePenguins #AquariumAdventure #Legoland #DayTrip #SoCalTravel #MarineLife