Visitor Centers
If you visit San Simeon or Santa Cruz, experience one of our free visitor centers to enjoy interactive exhibits and interpretive programs about Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary with knowledgeable docents. Each location offers unique displays and exciting programs!
Sanctuary Exploration Center
Visit the free admission Sanctuary Exploration Center located just steps away from Cowell Beach and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, California. Developed in partnership with the city of Santa Cruz, the center features state-of-the art displays, short films, interactive exhibits, and more. You can explore the sanctuary's remarkable marine environment and learn your role in protecting our nation's special underwater places.
Coastal Discovery Center
The free admission Coastal Discovery Center is located at the beautiful William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach and across Highway 1 from the famed Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. Developed in partnership with California State Parks, the center celebrates the connection between land and sea and offers interactive exhibits and education programs which highlight the cultural and natural history of the region.