Do take the docent led tour - it is well worth it for the additional information. It is a bit of luck whether you see many animals - we saw a lot simply because the waters around the area has warmed up forcing the animals to go further out to sea to get fish. This has resulted in an enormous number of abandoned / lost pups including one very rare sealion. The tour is also interactive - two volunteers try to capture an abandoned seal (a toy one!). We had two children aged 8 and 12 with us and they both found it interesting and involving (the even had a look at the autopsy despite the yuk factor...).
Excellent resource for the curious about the marine mammals found along the Pacific coast the centre has a well stocked shop and a lot of information, it's not for people to get up close and personal as most of the exhibits are seals and sea lions rescued. Particularly cute are the pups rescued because they were starving. The heroes who run this nurse them and research why they get ill and are packed full of knowledge about pinepeds (seals and sea lions). It's a charity too so every visitor really does help the cause. For me it gets both flippers up!
If you care at all about marine mammal life, you should visit. This is not a place that wants to keep their animals and show them, the want to rescue, rehabilitate and release.
Eye liked the concept of what they were doing and it seemed well-run. We wish we could have seen some of the animals, even from a distance :)
I thought this would be neat for my kids, but with only three days in Sf, it wasn't worth the visit. The volunteers were super nice to my kids, but you couldn't see any of the animals (even with binoculars provided) and we just read about rescues and visited gift shop.
terrific place to visit. there were only 2 seals visible from the viewing deck and 5 animals total at the center. but the information shared by the volunteer was priceless. he told us about the facility and the water system, solar panels, types of mammals rescued and how and from where. it was so informational and educational. this non-profit center does an amazing job.if possible, everyone should visit this center and take their kids.
Back in the Marin Headlands near Saucilito in a fantastically beautiful part of the world. There were few rescuees there (only 2), but we learned a lot. If you are staying in the nearby hostel or in Sausalito, this free attraction is a must.
What a neat place to visit! The work these volunteers do is incredible. You will learn something if you go here! Pretty gift shop, cool displays and educated volunteers!
I just love everything at the Marine Mammal Center. I love that they save seal, sea lions, otters, etc. I donate to them monthly as I believe the work they do in incredible.
Can't believe this place is free! Great place to learn about the rescue sea lions and seals. We went in the fall when there aren't too many patients but apparently lots of patients in the spring. I want to come back for sure or maybe even volunteer there.