Shark Week Comes to San Diego: Dive into the Fun Locally!

Everybody loves the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week—and for good reason. It’s a thrilling deep dive into the ocean’s most iconic predators, packed with fascinating science, jaw-dropping footage, and edge-of-your-seat storytelling. But you don’t have to stay glued to your screen to join in the excitement. Right here in San Diego, you can create your own Shark Week adventure with real-life experiences at local museums, parks, aquariums, and beyond.

Whether you’re searching for massive prehistoric shark fossils, awe-inspiring exhibits, or even live sharks swimming just feet away, San Diego offers a full menu of shark-themed fun for all ages. Here’s how to make your own splash this Shark Week—without leaving the area.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps 
Shark Summer + Living Seas Gallery

La Jolla

It’s Shark Summer at Birch Aquarium—and you’re invited to take a bite out of the action through August 10, 2025! This fin-tastic seasonal celebration highlights the vital role sharks play in ocean ecosystems, while showcasing conservation efforts and cutting-edge research aimed at protecting these incredible animals.

Just in time for Shark Summer, Birch has unveiled its most ambitious project yet—the brand-new Living Seas gallery. This $18.7 million expansion transforms the visitor experience with immersive new exhibits and a dramatic reimagining of the Pacific Ocean’s vibrant life. It’s a breathtaking addition to an already world-class destination.

Shark Summer Activities
Included with general admission, Shark Summer features exciting opportunities to engage and explore, including:

• Sharks and Rays Feedings

• Sharks and Rays 101

• Kelp Forest Dives

• Shark Exploration Stations

• Meet the Shark Specialists

Plus, don’t miss Shark Summer Sunsets every Thursday evening! Enjoy shark trivia nights, pop-up science demos, and ocean views from Tide Pool Plaza while sipping on shark-themed drinks from Blue Wave Bistro.

The celebration peaks around AZA’s Shark and Ray Awareness Day on July 14, spotlighting Birch Aquarium’s role in the nationwide SAFE Sharks and Rays program—a collaborative effort of over 60 institutions working to save more than 1,200 species from extinction.

📍 Birch Aquarium at Scripps
2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA
Open daily 9 AM–5 PM
Admission: $24.95 adults / $19.95 children (3–17) / discounts for seniors, students, military
www.aquarium.ucsd.edu

FUN TIP: Be sure to visit the gift shop for a fintastic souvenir. The Birch Aquarium Gift Shop is open daily from 9 a.m. until the aquarium closes and is accessible without an aquarium ticket.

California Surf Museum
Courageous Inspiration: Bethany Hamilton 

Oceanside

One of the most unforgettable shark encounters in modern history is powerfully told at the California Surf Museum in Oceanside. Their permanent exhibit, “Courageous Inspiration: Bethany Hamilton,” centers on the very surfboard Bethany was riding when she was attacked by a Tiger shark in 2003 off Kauai’s Tunnels Beach. The board—still missing a large chunk from the bite—is displayed alongside the bathing suit she wore that day.

This moving exhibit includes documentary footage (“Heart of a Soul Surfer”), photos, news coverage, and personal items that chronicle Bethany’s incredible journey from trauma to triumph. Remarkably, she returned to the waves just 26 days after the attack—and went on to become a champion surfer, motivational speaker, and inspiration to millions. The shark that bit her was later caught, and its jaw matched the bite marks on her board—adding a chilling layer to the display.

A longtime favorite, this exhibit is widely considered the most popular and emotionally impactful in the museum’s history. It’s an absolute must-see for anyone fascinated by surf culture, real-life resilience, and the powerful stories behind shark encounters.

📍 California Surf Museum
312 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA
Open daily 10 AM–4 PM
Admission: $7 adults / $5 seniors, military, students / free for kids under 11
www.surfmuseum.org

FUN TIP: Make a day of it in Oceanside! After exploring the Surf Museum, leave time to visit the stunning Mission San Luis Rey—known as the “King of the Missions”—and the contemporary Oceanside Museum of Art, just around the corner. It’s a full cultural and coastal experience, perfect for your local Shark Week adventure.

SEA LIFE® Aquarium at LEGOLAND® California
Interactive Shark Exhibit 

Carlsbad

This Shark Week, dive into an unforgettable ocean adventure at SEA LIFE® Aquarium in Carlsbad! Located at LEGOLAND® California Resort, this family-friendly aquarium is home to more than 5,000 sea creatures, including sharks, stingrays, octopuses, and vibrant reef fish.

Visitors can come face-to-fin with these majestic animals in the interactive shark exhibit and stroll through the breathtaking Ocean Tunnel, where sharks glide gracefully overhead. Along the way, guests will learn fun facts about shark conservation and discover how vital these creatures are to the health of our oceans.

Perfect for ocean lovers and curious kids alike, SEA LIFE® offers hands-on exhibits, educational displays, and close-up encounters that make learning about marine life exciting and memorable. Buy tickets, download a resort map, and start your shark-filled journey at: legoland.com/california/sea-life

Fun Tip: Don’t miss Spectacular Sharks, the aquarium’s special live show at 4 p.m. daily at Coral Beach Cabana! Dive into a jaw-dropping experience that showcases the power, beauty, and mystery of sharks in an unforgettable presentation the whole family will love.

The San Diego Natural History Museum
Megalodon & the Paleo Center

Balboa Park

Explore the fascinating world of the Megalodon, one of the largest and most powerful predators to have ever lived, at the San Diego Natural History Museum. This prehistoric shark ruled the oceans millions of years ago—and now you can come face-to-jaw with a full-scale model of its massive teeth and learn about its incredible size, hunting strategies, and fossil record.

This larger-than-life experience is just one part of The Nat’s commitment to bringing natural history to life. From interactive exhibits on ancient sea life to hands-on fossil stations, The Nat offers a thrilling educational adventure for shark fans and curious minds of all ages.

📍 The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
Open daily 10 AM–5 PM
Admission: $22 adults / $18 seniors, students / $12 children (3–17)
www.sdnhm.org

FUN TIP: Make it a Friday night adventure! During The Nat at Night, the museum stays open until 10 PM with half-price admission after 5 PM. Explore after hours, snap a selfie with the massive Megalodon, see leafcutter ants in action, admire dazzling gems and skulls of all sizes, and be among the first to visit the exciting new Amazement in the Basement exhibit and working Paleo Center.

More San Diego Shark Week Adventures
Across San Diego County

Looking for even more ways to celebrate Shark Week in San Diego? Check out these bonus experiences for shark fans of all ages:

• 🌊 Cabrillo National Monument – Tidepool Shark Talk (select days)
  Learn about local shark species that cruise the California coast during seasonal ranger talks and tidepool tours.
  🔗 nps.gov/cabr

• 🐋 SeaWorld San Diego – Ultimate Shark Experience
  Go behind the scenes, touch and feed sharks, ride marine-inspired coasters, sip shark-themed drinks, and take home shark swag. Available July 7–14 only, with $25 per ticket going to shark conservation.
  🔗 seaworld.com/san-diego

• 🦈 San Diego Zoo – Leopard Sharks at Africa Rocks
  Spot graceful leopard sharks gliding through the water in the Cape Fynbos habitat, where they share space with African penguins. A fun shark sighting in an unexpected place!
  🔗 sandiegozoo.org

• 📚 San Diego Public Library – Shark Week Storytimes & Crafts
  Several SDPL branches are offering shark-themed storytimes, ocean crafts, and interactive learning activities throughout July.
  🔗 sandiego.gov/public-library

• 🎥 Fleet Science Center – Shark Documentaries on the Giant Dome Screen
  Keep an eye on the Fleet’s IMAX calendar for marine-themed science films and deep-sea features during Shark Week.
  🔗 fleetscience.org

• 🐠 CECUT Aquarium (Acuario del CECUT) – Tijuana
  Explore the marine life of the Pacific and Gulf of California, including regional shark species, in this Baja California aquarium dedicated to native biodiversity.
  🔗 cecut.gob.mx

• 🌊 CECUT’s IMAX Domo – Ocean Oasis Documentary
  Journey through the stunning Sea of Cortés and Baja desert in Ocean Oasis, a spectacular large-format film showing at CECUT’s dome theater.
  🔗 cecut.gob.mx/domo

• 🗓️ Save the Date – JAWS: 50th Anniversary in 3D
  Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the theater… JAWS returns in 3D for its 50th anniversary, opening August 29, 2025 at select San Diego theaters.
  🔗 fandango.com

These bite-sized experiences make it easy to add a little extra shark magic to your week—whether you’re in the mood for science, stories, or scenic views!