Visitor Center

Greater Farallones Visitor Center

Come enjoy a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge at the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary 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 standing in front of an aquarium

California Coast Exhibit

Cal Academy of Sciences

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

photo of the Dive Into Your National Marine Sanctuaries exhibit at the Aquarium of the Bay

Dive Into Your National Marine Sanctuaries

Aquarium of the Bay

The Exhibit highlights Greater Farallones, Monterey Bay and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries. A fun interactive kiosk features shipwrecks, whales, sanctuary research, a kids section and how to explore your northern California sanctuaries.

outside view of the Bear Valley Visitor Center

Bear Valley Visitor Center

Point Reyes National Seashore

The Center is the main visitor center in the Point Reyes National Seashore and includes a ranger information station, a NOAA-Science on a Sphere exhibit and, highlights Cordell Bank and Greater Farallones national marine sanctuaries. Whales, tidepools, sandy shores, and seabirds are some of the topics you can explore through diorama’s, video, mounted specimens and wildlife models.

outside view of Ocean Exploration Center

Ocean Exploration Center

Point Reyes National Seashore

Attached to the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center is the Ocean Exploration Center. Spectacular underwater murals, 3-D models of marine life and informative panels feature north-central coast marine habitats. Panoramic views of Point Reyes Beach, Cordell Bank and Greater Farallones national marine sanctuaries can also be enjoyed.

view of Pigeon Point Light Station from a distance

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. Basic information on Monterey Bay and Greater Farallones national marine sanctuaries marine life is also available.