Coastal Discovery Center

Our family comes here every year and we love it! Yes, it is true that it is a small area and you won’t spend more than 30 minutes checking it all out. Buuut. the volunteer staff is extremely knowledgable, friendly and more than happy to answer any questions you may have. My boys love coming in here and asking all the questions their little brains can fire off about that animal, those bugs and this shell. And never once has the staff been annoyed or impatient with their neverending thirst for knowledge. Most of the volunteers have lived in the area for years and can give you great insight on basically anything from the best spot/​time to find moonstones on the beach to cool local sights. If you’re in the area and this place is open, check it out. Its definitely worth a quick peek!

This is a cute little bungalow with a few interesting things. It might be because I am used to more visual things that I was not a fan of this place. I just felt like there needed to be more.
The volunteer was knowledgeable in what he was explaining which was good coming from a 16 year old kid. If it wasn’t for him I probably would have walked out super bored.
They have some shells in a box, try to figure them out but no peeking! Also have «teeth» from a whale to show you how they eat krill. And some
furs of a few of their cute and cuddley swiming animals.
It was interesting, a quick 8 minute look around. If its not on your way or youre busy, don’t worry youre not missing too much.

Volunteer ran, free hands on learning for kids. A bit small with only one main room available. Approx 20′ x 40′ but full of interactive touch and feel displays geared towards educating kids on sea life and the bay. Includes educational touch and listen coral reef, sounds of seals, two videos, live microscope feed, touch different seal furs, and a few other interactive displays. Staff very passionate and helpful.

This a cool informative spot. The staff here is great come down and check it out its small but still a nice stop. Help them out and leave a donation.

The Coastal Discovery Center is staffed with knowledgeable staff regarding the area. The center is small but does have some exhibits and films to watch. It is at Hearst Memorial State Beach

Went here on a field trip w/​elem school kids and they LOVED it.
It’s a small, modest building (don’t expect the Monterey Bay Aquarium) but the friendly and knowledgeable guides kept it interesting. Besides, you’ve got a view of Hearst Castle up on the hill on one side and the San Simeon Pier and Pacific Ocean on the other side so hey – who cares if the facilities aren’t deluxe.
Hands-​on activities for kids were great. Kids got to accompany docent as she lowered tube down from pier into ocean to collect daily water sample. Also got to see microscopic sea life on screen during the indoor portion of tour and that was very interesting.
Picnic tables and grassy area nearby are perfect for lunch time. Not a super crowded place like Pismo or Avila.
Would definitely recommend this place for other school tours.

Small but worth a walk through on the weekend after a trip to Hearst Castle.
Run by docents, this one room center has some interesting audio/​visual/​hands on displays. The place isn’t crowded so you’re going to get the volunteers full attention.
They have taxidermied wildlife you can touch.
Only open Fri/​Sat/​Sun.