Birch Aquarium: San Diego treasure - imaginative homage to the sea

Delicate seahorses are one of the stars at Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, California, and a major San Diego attraction.

SMALL BUT MIGHTY La JOLLA AQUARIUM CHARMS WITH ITS FINE COLLECTION, EXCELLENT DISPLAY, WITH USER-FRIENDLY CONSERVATIONISM SHOWING OFF LOCAL SEA WONDERS

Beautifully kept tanks and carefully planned exhibits give up-close viewing.
Here, a 30-pound grouper glides through the waters.

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

WE DRIVE past Birch Aquarium several times a week, so last weekend was the time to check it out.  We had curious and photogenic guests -- our niece and her young precocious three-year-old.

Anemone, abalone, sea urchins and kelp make a fine, natural display.

So the four of us stepped into the wonderland of this small, beautifully curated aquarium.

Our great-niece, Peny Ganner, enjoys Birch's water-driven play.

From the moment you enter the door, you'll feel the privilege of keeping company with the exotic sea creatures that make their home along the Pacific Coast of southern California.
The kelp forest attracts a stunning variety of life that gives this part of the country its diversity of fishes and invertebrates.
YOU CAN mingle with this appealing diversity: sharks, starfish, anemone and sea horses, sharing the learning and the appreciation with kids, grandchildren, neighbors, friends. It's a wonderful family outing. We took our niece, Amarylla,  and her youngster, our great-niece Peny, and had a marvelous afternoon, both indoors and outside.

Hands on exhibits include this shark
display for fun photo possibilities. Here
three generations of ocean lovers: from
left, Peny and Amarylla Ganner and their
 "Auntie Cookie," Christene Meyers 

The aquarium is located on a pretty perch on the bluffs of La Jolla, where the world famous University of California San Diego does its

Graceful jellyfish float and flit about, to the delight of visitors.

groundbreaking research through Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego.
Birch Aquarium is all about public outreach, education and creating a savvy "next generation" of conservationists and aware consumers.
A continuing list of creative programs both inside the aquarium and around the city is offered for schools and kids of all ages attracts hundreds of ocean lovers. Next week, observe grunion spawn on La Jolla beaches, and watch them hatch during a special presentation.
An exhibit, "Feeling the Heat," teaches about climate science and global warming.
OUR NIECE, Peny, was fascinated by the interactive tide pools and exhibitions for all things under the sea in an oceanside building.
We spent a leisurely two hours walking through the exhibits, returning to enjoy the whales, jellyfish and gorgeous seahorses, all among the most popular exhibits.

A tank of sardines greets you in the lobby of Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. 

San Francisco aquarium charms, too
Our time there was particularly fun because we represented three generations and the age range of  our fellow ocean admirers followed suit.
at play inside he aquarium.
We've also appreciated and enjoyed Birch Aquarium's participation in the wonderful Flagship whale watching adventures from downtown.
Each year, we join Flagship's daily gathering of tourists and locals to embark on a thrilling journey to watch migrating whales. The experts are always knowledgeable and enthusiastic and Birch Aquarium at Scripps provides the experts.

IF YOU ARE lucky, you can also watch the whales from Birch Aquarium's ringside viewing area. Right outside the aquarium, Birch has designed a lovely area to watch the longest mammal migration in the world, when approximately 20,000 gray whales pass San Diego on their annual 10,000-mile round-trip journey from the Bering Sea to the lagoons of Baja ...

Penelope Margaret Ganner enjoys the whale sculptures and pools near
the entrance to Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, Calif. 

Candere Cruising of Seattle provides unique water experience
with Captain Dylan designing a custom made day at sea.

UP NEXT:  If you're planning a visit to the other end of the
west coast, the Pacific Northwest, Candere Cruising can provide
a spectacular, tailor-made tour of Seattle.  From cocktails,
to browsing the neighborhoods of Seattle's waterways,
Captain Dylan can design an unforgetable day on the water.
Remember to enjoy, explore and learn and catch us each
weekend for a unique approach to nature and the arts.