Stephen Birch Aquarium Discount Tickets Information

Sometimes called the Jewel of Southern California, La Jolla is the perfect blend of soft sand beaches, cultural activities, family-friendly attractions, art galleries and more. It is one of the country's most affluent communities, just 15 minutes from downtown San Diego. From the waves crashing along the shore to boutique-lined streets, you can expect everything in this picturesque seaside town.

If you are planning a family vacation to La Jolla, start your travel by visiting Birch Aquarium, which has inspired visitors with splendors of the ocean for more than a century. Founded by Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation, Birch Aquarium is the public exploration center for the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California.

Featuring over 5000 animals representing 380 species, this 64,157-square-foot aquarium will take you into the world of sharks, seahorses, living reefs and a variety of Pacific marine life in more than 60 habitats. With hands-on displays and multimedia, visitors can also interact with exhibits that feature the cutting-edge discoveries of Scripps Oceanography explorers.

Like most aquariums, Birch Aquarium requires an admission. The general admission is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors (aged 60 and up) and $8.5 for children (aged 3 to 17). Children under 2 years old are admitted free. With valid ID, college students are charged $9, UCSD staff & students are charged $8.5 and military personnel are charged $10.

For college students who are looking to buy a single admission ticket to visit the aquarium for a class assignment, the single ticket admission is $6 from September to February and $7 from March to August.

Please note admission prices are subject to change without notice. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket booth when you arrive. Ticket booth is closed at 4:30 pm and the aquarium is closed at 5pm. Avoid standing in a queue, you also can buy your ticket online or call 1-888-878-6629 for assistance.

Buy Your Ticket Online

http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/Plan_a_Visit/Hours/

However, with proper planning, there is no need to pay full price. For frequent aquarium-goers, Scripps Oceanographic Society Membership is just your discount ticket to enjoy a huge savings and help support Birch Aquarium all year long. As a Scripps Oceanographic Society member, your primary membership benefits include:

- Unlimited Birch Aquarium admission

- Four guest passes each year

- 10% discount at the Splash Cafe and on purchases at the aquarium bookstore

- Discounts on aquarium classes and programs for children and adults

- Special members-only events as well as deals at local restaurants and other businesses

- OnBoard, the quarterly aquarium activities newsletter and calendar

- Explorations, Scripps' electronic magazine of ocean and earth science

- Invitations to exhibit previews and members-only events

Actually, Scripps Oceanographic Society Membership is available in a variety of levels, containing:

- Family Membership ($75) - This membership applies to two adults plus children or grandchildren aged 3 to 17.

- Dual Membership ($68) - This membership is valid for two adults.

- Individual Membership ($55) - This membership is valid for individual.

- Supporting Member ($100) - In addition to the aforementioned membership benefits, Supporting Members can also receive a SOS tote bag.

- Voyager Team ($150) - As a member of Voyager Team, you are entitled to all benefits of Supporting membership, plus a Scripps campus and pier tour (by appointment).

- Discovery Team ($300) - Discover Team members can enjoy all benefits of Voyager Team membership, plus a SOS T-shirt.

- Expedition Team ($600) - If you join the Expedition Team, you are eligible for all benefits of Discovery Team membership, plus a behind-the-scenes aquarium tour (by appointment).

Want to become a member? It is easy to join the Scripps Oceanographic Society members. The most convenient way may be to join online. Just click the following website and purchase your membership.

Join Scripps Oceanographic Society Members

http://pierog.ucsd.edu/secure/sos/

You can also stop by the Membership Office at the aquarium to buy your membership. Or just call the Membership Office at (858) 534-5771. The office is open from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday. Purchases by phone will be accepted with a major credit card.

Purchases by mail are also practicable. Just print the membership application and mail with payment to the following address:

Scripps Oceanographic Society

Birch Aquarium at Scripps, UCSD

9500 Gilman Drive

La Jolla, CA 92093-0207

Allow 2 to 3 weeks to receive your membership packet. If you have not received it after this time period, contact the Membership Office at (858) 534-5771.

If you visit the aquarium with your family, friends or colleagues, take advantage of group tickets. Birch Aquarium offers discount tickets for groups of 15 people and more, with a discount rate of $8.5 per adult and $7.5 per senior. Groups cover destination management companies, senior groups, clubs, organizations, centers, tour operators, hotels and college extracurricular groups. For groups of 20 and more, the admission prices are:

- 20 to 49 tickets: $8.5 each

- 50 to 99 tickets: $7.5 each

- 100 and more ticket: $6.4 each

There are no expiration dates on discount group tickets. For more info or reservations, contact Group Sales Department at 858/534-6691. The above ticket prices are for self-guided group visit to the aquarium. There are also a variety of assisted tours offered by Birch Aquarium, including:

Ask-Me-Docent - The guide will greet and take the group to visit the highlights of the aquarium for one hour. After that, you can visit the rest of the facility on your own. This tour requires the group is less than 10 people, but no more than 25 people per docent. The rates are the same as the self-guided group tour rates, plus a fee of $45 for docent.

Tank-By-Tank Tour - A guide will be offered for every ten participants in a guided tour of all tanks in the aquarium. The guide will stay with the group for one hour and leave time to visit the rest of the aquarium on your own. The rate is $8.5 per adult and $7.5 per senior, plus $45 for docent. To schedule a group visit, call 858-534-6691.

Birch Aquarium participates in Foursquare. So if you check into the aquarium using Foursquare, you will receive $2 off adult admission. This offer is valid for up to four people. In addition, AAA members and AARP members all can get discounts on admission to Birch Aquarium.

The aquarium also offers free admission days. During the hours of 9am to 2pm on September 8, 2011, seniors aged 50 and more are admitted free with valid ID. On November 11, 2011, the aquarium is open to military personnel, police officers and freighters as well as veterans for free. You can find more special discounts and coupons for Birch Aquarium on the page:

Special Discounts and Coupons for Birch Aquarium

http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/Plan_a_Visit/Special_Deals/