Visitor Center
Make the Sanctuary Your Classroom
The Visitor Center's educational programs introduce people of all
ages to the living wonders of the marine sanctuary in our own backyard.
Hold the baleen of a blue whale, feed a giant green anemone, touch the
pelt of a sea otter and feel the saw-like teeth of a white shark.
Hands-on activities create an intimate experience with our marine
world that promotes understanding, appreciation and underscores the
importance of our protected marine sanctuaries.
Public Programs at the Gulf of the Farallones Visitor Center
991 Marine Dr., The Presidio, San Francisco, CA 94129
Creature Feature
Creature Feature is a hands-on marine science program for 4 – 8 year olds and their families at the Gulf of the Farallones Visitor Center. Each month we focus on a different amazing ocean animal through fun activities such as games, interpretive beach walks, and encounters with live animals such as crabs, seastars, and plankton. This program is perfect for future marine biologists and anyone who loves marine life.
Program length: 90 minutes
Suggested Donation: $20 per family or FREE for FMSA Members
2011 program dates: 1/8; 2/12; 3/12; 4/9; 5/14; 6/11; 8/6; 9/10; 11/19
Creature Feature registration required by contacting:
Peter Winch: pwinch@farallones.org (415) 561-6625 x310
Plankton & Pastry
Plankton and Pastry is an exciting exploration of the weird and wonderful world of plankton in the waters just off Crissy Field. Be dazzled by diatoms, dinoflagellates, and copepods. Discover bizarre larvae from barnacles, crabs, and mussels. Participants get to collect their own samples and use their own microscopes. You won't believe your eyes! The program includes pastries, juice, and fresh strong coffee. The program is designed for 6 – 106 year old ocean enthusiasts.
Program Length: 90 minutes
Suggested Donation: $15 per adult, $10 per child
1 adult or child FREE with new FMSA membership
2011 Program dates:1/29; 2/19; 5/21; 5/22; 9/17; 9/18; 12/17; 12/18
Plankton & Pastry registration required
Use the following links for online registration:
12/17/11 (10-12pm)
12/17/11 (1-3pm)
12/18/11 (10-12pm)
12/18/11 (1-3pm)
or register by contacting: Justin Holl: justin.holl@noaa.gov (415) 561-6622 x308
Cephapalooza! a Squid Spectacular
[Back by Popular Demand]
Obsessed by octopuses? Intrigued by ink? Tickled by tentacles?
Delve into the watery world of cephalopods!
• Watch squid and octopus films
• Learn about Humboldt squid adaptations through our naturalist led dissection
• Make your own Humboldt squid print with the assistance of our guest printmakers.
The program is designed for 6 – 106 year old cephalopod enthusiasts.
Program Length: 2 hours
Suggested Donation:$20 per adult, $15 per child
1 adult or child FREE with new FMSA membership
2011 Program dates: 6/18
Salmonopolis
Salmonopolis is an exciting and engaging exploration of salmon and the salmon empire. Through film, dissection, an interactive game and printmaking, participants learn what it means to be a salmon and how salmon and human communities coexist. Salmon life-cycle, anatomy and watershed roles are highlighted, and participants also have the opportunity to make their very own salmon fish print! Designed for 6 – 106 year old ocean enthusiasts.
Program Length: 90 minutes
Suggested Donation:$15 per adult, $10 per child
2011 Program dates: 1/22; 2/26; 4/23; 6/25; 8/20; 10/22
Sharks of the Sanctuary 
Visitors are treated to a white shark video and discussion before participating in a "dissection" of our 14 ft white shark model. Following this activity, the families are invited to make their own shark prints using Lino blocks of all the different sharks of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Program Length: 90 minutes
Suggested Donation:$15 per adult, $10 per child
2011 Programs: 4/16; 10/15
Marine Science Private Event for Children
Host an event in one of the most stunning locations in the Presidio— overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Our Visitor Center Naturalist will lead your group of children in a catch and release fishing exp loration of crabs from our pier classroom as well as a guided tour of the Gulf of the Farallones Visitor Center (including a special feeding of the animals!) This unique program includes the use of our pier classroom for your private group. We offer a limited number of these extraordinary events.
Program length: 2 hours
Suggested Donation: $300 per group (18 people maximum) $275 for new FMSA members
registration required by contacting:
Peter Winch: pwinch@farallones.org (415) 561-6625 x310
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Schedule a Visit
The Visitor Center is open for educational programs Monday to Friday from
10am - 4pm. Programs are generally two hours in length and custom
programs are available. Group size is limited to 30, with at least one
adult for every ten students. Please make reservations at least four
weeks in advance. Once your request has been received and scheduled,
a confirmation will be sent with waivers, map and directions.
Located at the west end of Crissy Field, a stones throw from the
Golden Gate Bridge and right on the edge of the sandy beach, the Visitor
Center is an incredible resource for students of the Bay Area. We offer
a range of programs for Pre-K through 12 that compliment California
school standards and excite young people in learning about and exploring
the marine environment.
Choose a particular emphasis such as tidepools, whales or the sharks
of the sanctuary; or focus on key concepts that include adaptations,
food webs, life cycles, or ecosystems. As students understand and
define their roles and impacts in the natural world, a sense of
stewardship is developed so that decisions they make today help
conserve and protect our marine sanctuaries for the future.
Fees
Educational programs for all school groups are free. Donations made
to the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association are tax deductible and
benefit these programs and the development of exhibits.
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