Guides to the Kid Stuff - Future Marine Biologist
San Diego is home to the most marine species in the U.S. Don’t believe me? I’ll show you. I’m Cam, Future Marine Biologist and your Guide to the Kid Stuff.
Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium’s Adam R. Scripps Living Seas exhibit is a BIG deal. Literally. It holds over 128,000 gallons of water. It’s like the Pacific Ocean — with air conditioning. There’s an outdoor tide pool plaza where you can touch horn sharks, sea cucumbers and sea stars. Plus, you get an insane view of the actual Pacific while you’re at it. It also gives you an up-close look at tons of awesome marine animals of all shapes, sizes, and colors — from little blue penguins to giant pacific octopuses. Best part? You can even meet up with my best friends, the leopard sharks. I’ve been swimming with them in the wild for as long as I can remember (like four years!)
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego
Part of why San Diego is such a marine life wonderland is because there are organizations dedicated to keeping our wild animals safe. Just take SeaWorld San Diego’s 24/7 rescue teams as an example. They’ve treated and released over 23,000 marine animals (that’s a whole lotta zeroes), sea turtles, sea lions, dolphins, you name it. You see an injured animal? These guys are on it like barnacles on a boat. Just dial 1-800-541-SEAL. Yes, it’s a real number. Yes, I memorized it. Next time you’re at La Jolla Cove, look for their rescue boat for a chance to see them in action!
The Ellen Browning Memorial Scripps Pier
The Ellen Browning Memorial Scripps Pier
Want to dive into ocean science right where the pros from Scripps Institution of Oceanography do it? Then grab your grown-up (and a vest) for the Sunset Pier Walks. Every weekend this fall, Birch Aquarium educators lead an exclusive walking tour of Scripps Pier — which is usually closed to the public. You’ll scoop up plankton, examine it under a microscope, dissect a squid (yes, for real), and learn all about the local leopard shark research happening just steps away. Sunset Pier Walks happen on select Saturdays and Sundays through April 2025. You’ll need to register in advance, and kids have to be 9 or older (trust me, it’s worth the wait).
It’s always a good time to splash around San Diego
In San Diego, fun and research go hand-in-hand. Or should I say fin-in-fin? It’s like a nonstop aquatic adventure. You can snorkel in the summer, go tide pooling in the fall, whale watch in the winter, observe bioluminescence in the spring, and SO much more. Plus, if you ask me, every discovery brings you one step closer to becoming a marine biologist yourself. Trust me … I would know.