Free Community Event · Saturday, October 3
Dive Into Walter Munk Day
A free day of ocean science, exploration, culture, art and fun for everyone, celebrating Walter Munk’s extraordinary legacy.
Celebrate Our Oceans
Curiosity, community and our ocean, all in one place.
Walter Munk Day brings scientists, educators, students, innovators, artists, musicians and ocean enthusiasts together to share what they know and help visitors explore the ocean in new ways.
The event honors Walter’s eight decades of exploration and discovery through science, education and ocean conservation. This year, the community returns to La Jolla Shores to meet ocean experts, experience science firsthand, learn from Kumeyaay culture and traditions, and spend a day by the ocean.
“People should treat the ocean like we do anything else that we care about, with consideration, with care, and affection. For that, we must educate.”
Walter Munk
Interactive Exhibitors
So much to explore.
Come ready to experiment, build, ask questions and meet people who work with the ocean every day. Throughout Kellogg Park, you will find interactive science, cultural activities, technology demonstrations, art and plenty of fun.
Discover Ocean Science
Meet scientists, educators and organizations working to understand and protect the ocean.
Explore Technology
Try robotics, demonstrations and interactive tools that bring exploration and engineering into the park.
Travel Beneath the Waves
Explore the history of scuba diving and marine archaeology, and see how exploration has changed what we know about the ocean.
Experience Culture and Community
See a Kumeyaay Blessing and Bird Singers, take part in tule boat building and launch, and enjoy art, music and other community traditions.
Explore THE MAP
Take THE MAP tours, join scavenger hunts and discover the underwater world of La Jolla.
Make Time for Fun
Passport sticker books, shark rides, face painting, food trucks, art, music and more throughout the day.
Art, Curiosity & Ocean Discovery
M.C. Escher Fish: A Living Legacy at La Jolla Shores
A proposed new project at Kellogg Park will feature M.C. Escher’s fish tessellation beside THE MAP, creating a shared space for art, learning and ocean discovery. See the design and learn how adopting a fish, with your name inscribed, can help bring it to life.
Learn more about the project
2026 Spotlight
Diving into the history beneath the waves.
This year’s celebration looks at the fascinating history of scuba diving and marine archaeology, and how exploration, technology and discovery have shaped our relationship with the ocean.
Alongside the exhibits and activities, Walter Munk Day also marks four milestones connected to science, place and popular culture.
Science Meets Community
A day that feels like La Jolla Shores.
Walter Munk Day is more than a science fair. It’s a celebration for the whole community, bringing ocean science, conservation, education, art, technology and culture together in the place Walter called home.
Learning by doingPlan Your Visit
Everything you need for Saturday.
Registration is free. Save your spot, plan your parking and give yourself time to enjoy the day at Kellogg Park.
9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
La Jolla Shores · Free and open to everyone
Enter on El Paseo Grande. Kellogg Park is about a five minute walk away, and a free shuttle will also be available.
Free parking with validation
Park at the special event parking structure, then collect stickers from 10 exhibitor booths in your Walter Munk Day passport. Bring your completed passport to the South Registration Booth to have your parking validated.
Without validation, parking is $40.
Visitor FAQ
Before you head to the Shores.
A few practical details to help you plan your visit.
Is Walter Munk Day free?
Yes. Walter Munk Day is a free community event. You can register for free online through Eventbrite.
When and where is the event?
Saturday, October 3 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM at Kellogg Park in La Jolla Shores.
Where should I park?
Special event parking is at 2223 Avenida De La Playa. Enter on El Paseo Grande. Kellogg Park is about a five minute walk away, and a free shuttle is also available.
How does free parking validation work?
Collect stickers from 10 exhibitor booths in your Walter Munk Day passport, then show the completed passport at the South Registration Booth to receive validation. Without validation, parking is $40.
What are the special event parking hours?
Parking is available from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Walter Munk Day event itself runs from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Is Walter Munk Day for all ages?
Yes. There is something for a wide range of ages, including interactive science, games, demonstrations, art and entertainment.
Press & Media
Walter Munk Day in the community.
See how Walter Munk Day has been covered over the years, from local reporting and television segments to stories about the people, science and community that bring the event to life.
Walter Munk Day through the years.
Each year, scientists, educators, families, artists and ocean enthusiasts come together at La Jolla Shores to celebrate our oceans.
Saturday, October 3
Ready to dive into Walter Munk Day?
Join us at Kellogg Park for a free day of science, exploration, culture and fun as we celebrate Walter Munk’s legacy and the ocean that inspired his life’s work.
Register for Free