Tearing oneself away from the natural beauty of La Jolla can be almost painful. But two spectacular attractions merit a few hours of indoor exploration. Under the Sea Four hundred thousand visitors can’t be wrong. That was the number of guests last year who investigated the treasures of the Birch Aquarium, offering a window to the work of the 300 scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The aquarium brings the mysteries of the deep and 5,000 specimens to the surface, where they can be conveniently viewed by all ages and all heights. The facility features more than 60 marine tanks with fish, corals and invertebrates ranging from the local coast to the Pacific Northwest to the tropics. The fascinating moon jellyfish and giant red octopus are just two of the many crowd-pleasers. A showcase 70,000-gallon tank gathers much of the attention, giving a unique view into a kelp forest and the marine community right off the San Diego coast. For anyone but scuba divers, this perspective of thornback rays, leopard sharks and California halibut would be tricky to gain. But the aquarium even offers seating for those who want to spend some time here. The tank was also the recent site of a wedding proposal that made national news when a man proposed to his girlfriend, an aquarium diver, during the dive show. If the sun is irresistible, head to the amazing view ocean view and outdoor exhibits. A 13,000-gallon shark reef exhibit features shark species that inhabit tropical reef habitats. Try to time a visit with one of the 10:30 a.m. feedings on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. For an exhibit that’s both hands-on and visual, three tide pools host starfish, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers and other animals local to San Diego. Feedings are at 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The aquarium also features an oceanographic museum with interactive exhibits for all ages. Not only can visitors listen to the songs of the humpback whale, they can record their own. The seadragons look like part seahorse, part underwater plant. One of the current exhibits, “Feeling the Heat: The Climate Challenge,” explores the science of climate change and Scripps’ 50 years of climate research. Hands-on exhibits help relate the big picture to everyday life, including electricity usage and recycling. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $11 for adults 18 and over; $9 for seniors 60 and over; $7.50 for youth 3 to 17 and free for members and children age 2 and younger. 2300 Expedition Way, (858) 534-FISH, aquarium.ucsd.edu. Behind the Doors Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla, 700 Prospect St., joined the list of local landmarks when it was established in 1941. The bright white museum with the deep blue as its background has some history, as well—architect Irving Gill designed it in 1916 as home to philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, a name visitors will notice on buildings throughout San Diego. The 60,000-square-foot museum offers breathtaking ocean views in addition to the impressive creations on the floors and walls. Reserve a few hours for meandering through the work of artists from the San Diego/Tijuana region, as well as those nationally and internationally recognized. The museum makes it easy to take a self-guided tour, visiting all of the galleries or choosing to focus on a few. Once out of the sun, visitors are quickly drawn back into the light with “Elusive Signs: Bruce Nauman Works with Light.” Showing through Aug. 31, the exhibition features Nauman’s early neon pieces. Inspired by the advertising signs in his San Francisco neighborhood, Nauman explored twisting language as well as glass tubing to create an entirely new message. The museum makes the most of its oceanside location with outdoor exhibitions. Look outside and overhead for the gravity-defying “Pleasure Point” by Nancy Rubins, a Los Angeles-based sculptor. Created for the museum, this site-specific sculpture is an accumulation of surfboards, row boats, jet skis and canoes, high on the west side of the museum overlooking the ocean. Children of all ages can enjoy the oceanfront garden gallery, filled with installations and sculpture that’s often interactive. Before heading outside, make a quick turn into the museum’s gift shop, housing some of the best-designed and most clever souvenirs in the Village. The museum is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays, and closed Wednesdays. Admission is $10 for general, $5 for military and seniors and free for members and those age 25 and younger. Admission is also valid for seven days at all locations, including the downtown venue at 1100 and 1001 Kettner Blvd.