Shark Summer is Back at Birch Aquarium and it’s Worth the Trip to La Jolla

Shark Summer is back at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, running from early July through early August.

The month-long program dives into the world of sharks – local species, their role in the ecosystem, and the conservation work being done to protect them.

Families Enjoying Shark Summer at Birch Aquarium

The Full Shark Summer Experience

The program is packed with activities included with general admission. Shark exploration stations, shark feedings, themed dive presentations, and Sharks and Rays 101 talks run throughout the month, giving visitors plenty of reasons to come back more than once.

One Night, All Sharks, 21 and Up

Birch Aquarium hosts Oceans at Night: Sharks, a 21+ evening event that takes the Shark Summer experience into after-hours territory.

The night features live entertainment, interactive games, a Kelp Forest Dive presentation, and the chance to meet shark experts from Scripps Oceanography.

Music, drinks, and a deep dive into all things sharks make this one of the more distinctive adults-only nights out in San Diego this summer. Tickets are on sale now and sold separately from general admission.

The Conservation Side of Things

Shark Summer centers around the AZA Shark and Ray Awareness Day and highlights Birch Aquarium’s partnership with the AZA SAFE Shark and Ray program – a collaborative effort by more than 60 organizations nationwide working to protect over 1,200 species of sharks and rays from extinction.

Donation boxes in the aquarium’s Galleria during Shark Summer benefit the program directly, so every visit counts toward something bigger.

See you there!

Educational, engaging, and genuinely fun.

📆 Wednesday, July 1, 2026 – Sunday, August 2, 2026 | 9 AM – 8 PM
📍 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla
🎟️ Included with general admission
ℹ️ Get the full details here

See you there, San Diego!

Share This Post
The Latest
America’s first female soldiers
Local nonprofit Foundation for Women Warriors is hosting a free online screening of The Hello Girls – a documentary that tells one of the most...
Pendry San Diego is leaning into the summer season with a strong lineup of new offerings – a reimagined weekday brunch, a new poolside Golden...
The Compound Lifting Club Solana Beach
Explore the Compound Lifting Club Solana Beach, a community-focused gym offering compound lifting, recovery, and more for all fitness levels.
Fourth annual Punches in the Piazza at Piazza della Famiglia
The fourth annual Punches in the Piazza returns to Little Italy’s Piazza della Famiglia for an evening that blends amateur boxing, community connection, and meaningful...
Del Mar Summer Solstice
Check out this week’s Things to Do in San Diego this weekend and make your plans! Dig into smoky flavors at the 3rd Annual Downtown...
top concerts in san diego this week
Here are the top concerts in San Diego this week! It’s heating up this week with a lineup that spans pop, country, and R&B. Catch...
Recently Featured Restaurants
Moniker General is coming downtown, and honestly, it makes all the sense in the world. The coffee and cocktail concept that helped shape Liberty Station...
Little Italy is getting a new coffee spot this summer, and it’s coming from one of the neighborhood’s most respected kitchens. Cloak & Petal –...
Downtown San Diego is getting exactly the kind of neighborhood spot it deserves. Pear Plum is an all-day café, specialty coffee shop, and wine bar...
Something genuinely intriguing opened along the 101 in Encinitas, and it’s not giving much away. Anigma is a new hidden cocktail bar from the owners...
À L’ouest San Diego
TRUST Restaurant Group just opened À L’ouest, their 13th restaurant and most ambitious project to date, on the prominent corner of 30th and University in...
Bacari, the family-owned Mediterranean small plates restaurant, just opened its doors in North Park, and it’s taking over the beloved two-story building at 30th and...