Birch Aquarium brings back sunset Scripps Pier walks this fall

La Jolla residents can walk the full length of the normally off-limits Scripps Pier again this fall, thanks to the return of Birch Aquarium's guided outdoor programs.

The aquarium announced Thursday, Aug. 27, that its Sunset Scripps Pier Walks return Saturday, Sept. 19, offering 90-minute guided evening tours of the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier. The research pier, operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, is normally closed to the public due to ongoing scientific work. Scripps describes it as spanning 1,084 feet, making it one of the longest research piers in the world.

Tidepooling Adventures, a separate family program led by aquarium educators, launches Saturday, Nov. 7.

What happens on the pier

Pier Walk participants meet at the pier entrance at sunset and walk its full length. Activities include observing plankton under microscopes, dissecting squid and learning about shark research conducted on-site, according to the aquarium's announcement.

"It's so exciting to be able to take people out into our beautiful backyard," said Matthew Arrollado, public programs coordinator at Birch Aquarium.

Arrollado said the pier walks and tidepooling outings offer participants a chance to see La Jolla and Scripps Institution of Oceanography from a new perspective.

The pier houses environmental monitoring stations and serves as a launch point for small-boat and scientific diving operations, according to Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Tidepooling Adventures

The Nov. 7 tidepooling program takes guests ages 6 and up to local tide pools for 90-minute outings covering intertidal species and conservation practices. Meeting locations alternate between Scripps Pier and Kellogg Park depending on the day, with timing based on low tide. Minors must be accompanied by a paid adult.

Tickets and registration

Advance registration is required for both programs. The aquarium said sessions typically sell out.

Sunset Scripps Pier Walks (ages 9+): $35 members, $40 general public. Begin Sept. 19.

Tidepooling Adventures (ages 6+): $20 members, $25 general public. Begin Nov. 7.

Tickets are separate from aquarium general admission. Tour times vary with sunset and tides. The full schedule is available at aquarium.ucsd.edu/learn/outdoor-adventures.