New Axolotl Exhibit at Birch Aquarium, Halloween Fun & More: La Jolla News in Brief Oct. 21
From two stories related to marine creatures to some family-friendly Halloween fun in La Jolla (LaJolla.com), here is your news in brief for Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Birch Aquarium opens vibrant new Axolotl exhibit
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography just unveiled its newest attraction: an interactive exhibit dedicated to the critically endangered axolotl. “The Axolotl’s Garden” showcases the cute, famous Mexican salamanders, but also highlights their origins in \Lake Xochimilco, the deep cultural history surrounding them, and the ongoing scientific efforts to save their habitats.
Alongside two axolotl habitats, the exhibit features large-scale murals by artist Itzel Islas and handcrafted axolotl lanterns. The exhibit will also host special programming through spring 2027, starting with a Day of the Dead ofrenda honoring lost pets and endangered species on October 27.
‘Creepy Candy Crawl’ returns to The Village on Oct. 31
The beloved “Creepy Candy Crawl” is taking over The Village again this year from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30 in downtown La Jolla.
Local merchants along Girard Avenue and Prospect Street will be keeping their doors open to hand out treats to costumed kids. It’s a safe and candy-filled community tradition that provides a great local alternative to standard neighborhood trick-or-treating.
UC San Diego Men’s Basketball opens season with high expectations
The UC San Diego Tritons are gearing up for a highly anticipated men’s basketball season, kicking off their 2026–2027 run with two consecutive home games at LionTree Arena. The Tritons will face off against Whittier College on Nov. 2, closely followed by a matchup against Fresno State on Nov. 7.
Expectations are already running high across the conference. The Big West recently unveiled its preseason men’s basketball coaches’ poll, projecting UC San Diego to finish second overall. Adding to the preseason buzz, senior forward Leo Beath was officially named to the preseason coaches’ team, setting the stage for a strong year for the local squad. For tickets or more information, visit this link.
Stingray stings see a sharp drop at La Jolla beaches
According to recent lifeguard data, La Jolla Shores, Black’s Beach, and Scripps Beach have seen a significant drop in stingray injuries in 2026 compared to recent record highs. While La Jolla Shores alone saw 376 stings in 2023, the combined total across all three beaches currently sits around 400 for the entirety of 2026 so far. Scripps Beach reported a massive drop to just 46 stings this month, compared to a painful 304 stings back in 2024.
Don’t go retiring the “San Diego shuffle” just yet, however. Experts say that the unusually warm waters off the coast of San Diego due to El Nino could extend stingray season later in the year, the Times of San Diego reported.
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Mike Peterson is a writer, editor, and strategist based in San Diego. When he’s not writing and editing the La Jolla news, you can often find him practicing yoga, rock climbing, or exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog.
