Visitor Center

red roofed buildings with white sides and palm trees and the golden gate bridge in the background
Credit: Justin Holl/NOAA

Come enjoy a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge at the Greater Farallones and Cordel Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Visitor Center! Located in a historic Coast Guard station at the mouth of San Francisco Bay, the center offers visitors a wealth of educational resources about wildlife and conservation, as well as access to a sandy beach and green space that's perfect for a sunny day trip.

  • Location: San Francisco, CA
  • Admission: Free
  • Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Best for: Family picnics, birders, amateur photographers

Partner Exhibits

people looking at an aquarium exhibit with marine life
Credit: CPreston/NOAA

California Coast Exhibit

Cal Academy of Sciences

Encounter stunning views of the spectacular underwater ecosystems protected by California's national marine sanctuaries. You’ll see giant octopuses to rocky reefs blanketed in vibrant pink anemones and colorful corals. Highlights include a 100,000 gallon tank highlighting the local Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and interactive displays that track the extraordinary migration pathways of sea turtles, sharks and other long-distance travelers to the California coast.

people looking at an aquarium exhibit with marine life
Credit: JStock/NOAA

Bear Valley Visitor Center

Point Reyes National Seashore

Bear Valley Visitor Center is the main visitor center for Point Reyes National Seashore and includes a ranger information station to learn about how to safely learn about and enjoy the park. The Coast and Open Ocean exhibits highlight the habitats and marine life in Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries which are just offshore of the Point Reyes National Seashore. Learn about whales, tidepools, sandy shores, and seabirds and watch a looping display of video footage taken with remotely operated vehicles in the sanctuaries.

a blue mural with ocean life and windows
Credit: Tyler Chartier

Ocean Exploration Center

Point Reyes National Seashore

Attached to the Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center is the Ocean Exploration Center highlighting the marine life just offshore of the Point Reyes peninsula in the Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. Enjoy panoramic views of Point Reyes Beach, the sanctuaries and revel in colorful and diverse hand painted murals depicting habitats right outside the window in the ocean! 3-D models and informative panels interpret what makes the sanctuaries so special.

a fresnel lens standing up and a panel in front with text on it
Credit: Tyler Chartier

Pigeon Point Light Station Exhibit

California State Parks

Come learn about Pigeon Point's shipwrecks and lighthouse keepers through period artwork, artifacts and stories in the Fog Signal Building exhibit. Information about Monterey Bay and Greater Farallones national marine sanctuaries is available.