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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.