La Jolla - Birch Aquarium at Scripps

The Scripps Aquarium belongs to the Institute of Oceanography founded in 1903 and an integral part of the University of California since 1912. This oldest and biggest American marine institute employs a staff of 1,000 scientists and other personnel. Its library is one of the most important of its kind. The aquarium, which has 300,000 visitors every year, portrays marine life in the coastal waters. Progress made in oceanography is displayed in 22 tanks.