Nature Exhibits & Activities
From the Birch Aquarium to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, there are an absorbent amount of research facilities, trails, gardens, tide pools and parks to visit along the coastline. Learn all about this beautiful area in the aquarium or soak it in on a walk on the beach!
As an added bonus, all our properties in Mission Beach are located between (two blocks) of the Pacific Ocean or the San Diego Bay. This convenience offers you a fast and easy way to enjoy the great outdoors!
| Explore where the wonders of the ocean come alive! The mission of Birch Aquarium is to provide ocean science education, to interpret Scripps Institution of Oceanography research, and to promote ocean conservation. |
| Location: |
2300 Expedition Way La Jolla, California 92037 |
| Phone: |
858-534-3474 |
| The Flower Fields are open seasonally and feature 50 acres of beautiful flowers. |
| Location: |
5704 Paseo Del Norte Carlsbad, California 92008 |
| Phone: |
760-431-0352 |
| Grunion are a small silver fish found only along the coast of southern California & northern Baja California. It`s quite a site to see thousands of Grunion come out of the water completely to lay their eggs in the wet beach sand on a few nights after the highest tide associated with each full or new moon. |
| La Jolla`s Children Pool is a park and beach with the main attraction being the many seals lying on nearby rocks, or on the beach within a few feet from your view! This is a protected marine area for snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving among the seals. The La Jolla Caves are located nearby. La Jolla is about a 15 minute drive north on Interstate 5. |
| The park consists of all of the bay and most of its shore areas and stretches for miles. There are many park facilities within a short driving distance, each with their own personality. |
| It encompasses 7,220 acres of both natural and developed recreational acres. Its rugged hills, valleys and open areas represent a San Diego prior to the landing of Cabrillo in San Diego Bay in 1542. |
| Location: |
One Father Junipero Serra Tr., San Diego, California 92119 |
| Phone: |
619-668-3281 |
| A beautiful nature trail for children and adults. |
| Location: |
230 Quail Gardens Drive Encinitas, California 92024 |
| Phone: |
760-436-3036 |
| For all of the parks we`ve mentioned, there are even more! |
| In 1903, members of the Scripps family and other community leaders chartered the Marine Biological Association of San Diego, building its first laboratory in La Jolla in 1905.
The marine lab was renamed the Scripps Institution for Biological Research and became part of the University of California in 1912. The UC Regents changed the name to Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 1925 in recognition of the breadth of research underway at the institution.
In 1960, the Regents established a San Diego campus of the University of California and Scripps became part of the University of California, San Diego.
Since its founding, the institution has expanded its scope to include studies of the physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and climate of the earth. Hundreds of research programs are underway today in a wide range of scientific areas on every continent and in every ocean. |
| Location: |
8602 La Jolla Shores Drive La Jolla, California 92037 |
| Phone: |
858-534-3624 |
| Sunset Cliffs is a beautiful scenic area a short drive south with high sheer cliffs. |
| There is fishing, boating, parasailing, photography, whale-watching (in the winter), and so much more. Lie on the sand, walk in the surf, swim, boogie board, surf, and just enjoy! |
| Tide Pooling in San Diego is best is at Scripps Pier in La Jolla. Another area can be found before you reach Cabrillo Monument, on the west side. It is best to go a little while before low tide. |
| The Wild Animal Park is located in San Diego`s North County and is home to many animals in a spectacularly open and natural setting. The many types of Safari tours are a great way to see this park and learn about the animals and wildlife conservancy. |
| Location: |
15500 San Pasqual Valley Road Escondido, California 92027 |
| Phone: |
619-231-1515 |
| Wildlife Marsh is most exciting and adventures place. One found himself very close to nature. |
| Location: |
301 Caspian Way Imperial Beach, California 91932 |
| Phone: |
619-409-5900 |
