A program of the Lawrence Hall of Science that seeks to increase ocean literacy through informal and formal education initiatives
Oceanic Society Expeditions is a non-profit organization conducting educational and enjoyable natural history day cruises, nearly year-round, to experience the Bay Area's fascinating marine life: whales, dolphins, sea lions and sea birds. Expert naturalists lead all trips and explain the natural history of gray whales, and how they have recovered from near extinction. Trips leave from San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, and Bodega Bay. Voted best whale watch by San Francisco Bay Guardian.
The museum contains a nautral science hall that expores the varied ecosystems of California, including marine habitats. A variety of hands-on and interdisciplinary classes are available for grades K-12.
The institute provides a variety of programs that promote active, hands-on learning situations to enable students of all ages to reach a better undestanding of the bay ecosystems. Programs include shoreside explorations of aquatic animals and their environment and discovery voyages aboard their research vessel, both of which allow students to become marine scientists for a day.
Located under the Golden Gate Bridge, the fort has wonderful views of the bya nd ocean. this important historical site, built by the United States Army between 1854 and 1861, is ideal for integrating history and social studies with marine science studies. The fort is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday
Arrowhead Marsh is juxtaposed by both urban downtown Alameda and the Oakland airport. Wooden piers lead from a grassy knoll into the wetland and make wildlife viewing easily accessible. Thge Martin Luther King Jr. Interpretive Center oversees 1,220 acres of preserved Regional Shoreline including Arrowhead Marsh. Programs for schools and other organized groups are conducted weekdays by reservation only through the Crab Cove Interpretive Center.
This sandy beach habitat has become famous for the large colony of elephant seals that mate and raise their young during winter, and return to molt in summer. A nature center is located on site. There are also spectacular tidepools accessible when the elephant seals are not in residence. The reserve is not open to the public the first two weeks of December. Guided tours are available mid-December through March. After April 1 no reservations are needed.
Located in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, this island park contains undeveloped natural coastal grasslands and woodland habitats. There is a visitors center and a museum on the island. Docent-led tours to Ayala Cove (a sandy beach habitat) and guided kayak tours around the island are available through Sea Trek in Sausalito.
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