The Marine Mammal Center

Really enjoyed my visit to the marine mammal center, on my first visit I witnessed the release of a sea lion on nearby rodeo beach, once the cage opened she barked as she raced to the pacific, swaying side to side. My daughter also enjoyed seeing the animals and touching the sample seal furs. Great Job volunteers of this center.

I wanted to take my kids somewhere educational and I found this place. It was absolutely worth the drive. The drive to the facility was beautiful in itself. We arrived 2 hours prior to closing and there was plenty of parking. We walked uphill from the lot below. Upon arrival, the first thing we noticed was the amazing view of the Pacific from the facility and it wasn’t crowded. Which was surprising since it was Memorial Day Weekend. The staff welcomed us right when we walked through the doors and offered to answer any questions I had.
Downstairs, to the left of the entrance, there is a small classroom with a few exhibits along with specimens of sea mammals that had passed away naturally. The exhibits were set up like science projects. There was also a flat screen that showed a cartoon for the kids. Across the way is the Gift Shop.
The public restroom is located outside of the doors as you walk towards the staircase to the viewing areas. There is also a picnic area where you can eat your bagged lunch and admire the awesome view of the ocean. And to take lots of photos!
The viewing area is also located upstairs to catch a glimpse of the sea mammals currently being hospitalized. There was also a staff member upstairs answering questions.
My kids and I learned so much while we were there. There is just so much to mention, I highly suggest you visit the website first before heading out there.
Also, there is no entrance fee but donations are kindly accepted.

What a neat place. This place will trip you out. A place that focuses on rescuing seals, turtles and science.

Great center for kids and adults. Get the docent tour. The little fee goes to feed the mammal they rescue. With Unilocal check in, you will get $ 2 off. Our docent Courtney is awesome, funny and informative. Our family is a big fan of this place. You can spend a solid 3 hours there.

I enjoy volunteering in general but considering I love animals, I’ve been looking for a volunteer opportunity which involved animals. I did a quick internet search and stumbled upon the website for the Marine Mammal Center.
After completing the two orientation meetings for new volunteers, I have recently started my volunteer hours and absolutely love the days I’m there. I fully believe in the work being done but also thoroughly enjoy the great people I’ve met in the process. My Saturdays volunteering are busy and go by quickly, but are also some of the most fulfilling days. The day shift generally starts at 7, with a lunch break around noon. Everyone meets in the break room and shares a potluck lunch and socializes.
TMMC also offers several other volunteer opportunities as well as free education classes. I highly recommend visiting, or if you’re inclined, getting involved with volunteering.

Such an important work. over 1000 volunteers help feed, clean and care for rescued marine mammals such as baby elephant seals, sea lions, harbor seals.
Their tour is interesting for both adults and kids. It is not a zoo and the purpose of the organization is to get the mammals back to their natural habitat as well as to learn about disease

The Marine Mammal Center is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of small marine mammals and the occasional other sea animal. They have a small facility open to the public to learn about the rehabilitation process. You can either opt for a docent led tour for $ 10 or just wander about the public areas for free. The museum is fairly small, but is still a neat place to spend a few hours. The view from the outdoor amphitheater is also amazing!

I went on a field trip with my son’s class. This place is an absolute hidden gem, and we’re so lucky to have The Marine Mammal Center in our backyard. What a great place to learn about saving marine mammals. Our docent was passionate and informative about the rescue mission.
The kids explored the marine science classroom and toured the facility. The lab was interesting. They had to be quiet and respectful at all times, as it is a hospital for such marine mammals/​patients. The interactive program truly enhanced their curriculum. Their curious minds asked questions ranging from feeding the sick patients to treating them. I loved spending every moment with our future scientists =)
The Marine Mammal Center is a fascinating place for both kids and adults. My son wants to volunteer here when he grows up.
Happy Learning!

Thank you for saving the sea lions and seals! I’m hoping one day they can have one sided glass so people can see the animals but not traumatized them or be seen by them. Hovering over them felt odd… Happy you’re helping, hope you guys can expand and help more!!!

The Marine Mammal Center is awesome. If you’re looking for a wildlife or conservation nonprofit to donate to, please consider them. They don’t dumb down the science or their programs for the sake of attracting more visitors and donors; nope, they do what they do, allow visitors to learn about their work, and every year save hundreds of cute little furry guys and gals who probably would die grisly deaths without the MMC’s intervention.
Why intervene in nature? If you’re asking that question, you don’t really understand how much of a devastating effect overfishing, pollution, and shipping have had on the ocean ecosystem. Basically, we humans have made a huge mess of things, so not intervening and allowing nature to take its course is like poisoning an animal and then not saving it because it would have died anyway.
The only thing that irks me about this place is that there introductory video has very obvious Dawn product placement, but if you gave them more money, maybe they wouldn’t have to pander to Procter & Gamble – and let me make it clear that they don’t allow big corporate donors to change their science methodology or rescue focus.
If you’re in the Bay Area, you should definitely visit the Marine Mammal Center. It’s located in a beautiful, semi-​hidden valley. Make a day of it, and remember not to be too loud when you’re observing the seals and sea lions in their pens. This isn’t a zoo, thank God.

How cool!
Not a zoo, a true refuge for marine mammals in distress. Come here to learn, leave a bit of an activist.

Awesome place to check out and explore around the area. The staff is so knowledgeable and more than willing to show you around.

Every single time I come here I learn something new, and look at the bay a little differently.
The very first time we visited, a huge sea lion had just died, and they were dealing with the business of his body. At first I was concerned about how my daughter (who was 8 at the time) would process this, but an amazing volunteer came up to us and turned it into a really lovely teaching moment that we remember to this day.
After that visit we come here annually… To see the marine mammals, to donate some cash, to marvel at the dedication of the folks who work here.
5 stars just isn’t enough!

I thought this place was amazing, educational, you truly felt their heartfelt goal of healing and releasing these beautiful animals back to their natural habitat. This is not a zoo, you will not have an opportunity to get up close and personal with these animals, for their own good. You will have the opportunity to view the injured and ill marine mammals from a safe distance, be educated on their care, see the exam rooms/​board rooms/​kitchen and laboratory thru open windows to get a real idea of how their operation works. They rely on donations from the public. I suggest you visit, and bring your children. What a wonderful way to teach them how to care for wildlife. Also their is a beach (Rodeo Beach) that you can walk to from here that is so peaceful, full of beautiful pebbles.

I gotta give 5 stars to any organization that makes effort to save wildlife. The place is entirely funded by donations (shame on you State of California), and seems to have attracted a huge number of volunteers.
We decided to skip the docent tour, and walked around ourselves. There isn’t a huge amount to see, but there are seal lions being cared for, which is interesting. We also talked to a very enthusiastic, and decidedly hippy, volunteer, about the place which was interesting.
Finally, and although the whale Institute in Star Trek — The Voyage Home, was largely inspired by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, this place is much closer to the fictional location, as well as also being about sea mammals.

Left here speechless… what this facility does for marine life especially seals… elephant seals and sea lions … it’s a Non Profit organization that heavily relies on Donations and Volunteers. great learning and research center.. observation deck allows you to see how these great people help these creatures that are stranded each and everytime you go. Already put my request in to volunteer there and Monterey Bay location… can’t wait for Seal Run 5k

A while ago, I saw a segment on the local news about the MMC. I always wanted to visit this place, but never made plans to. I was checking out the Lighthouse at Point Bonitas and happen to be in the area. Other half and I decided to explore the MMC. I’m a big animal lover and always support organizations that are dedicated to saving/​rehabilitating animals. It was great to be able to see the sea lions that are all in rehab. At the MMC, they heal the marine mammals then release them back to the wild. It’s a great place to visit and see the patients. Fun to learn about marine life and what the MMC does. Just a disclaimer: the viewing area of the sea lions is quite smelly!

ITS FREE! Beautifully tucked away. Fun and educational for kids and grown ups to learn about the conservation and help of the sea lions and seals. The grounds are so nice and the viewing deck is awesome to look at the hard labor of love going into care for the rescued sealife.
Stop by the gift shop and pick up a momento. I grabbed some poatcards and cards ranging $ 2.50 to $ 3.00. They also have some shirts and dolls. Or you can donate to adopt a pup or help them continue the work. Great family outing!

Fun, educational, feel-​good outing in the gorgeous surrounds of the Marin Headlands. This is the kind of place that reminds you why we live in the Bay Area!
Take the tour! It’s only 9 bucks for adults — and I think $ 5 for kids over 4 (little ones are free!) All of the proceeds go toward funding their amazing rescue and rehabilitation efforts. They have a relatively small group of paid employees — and a network of 11 hundred volunteers!
The tour is fun and interactive and they get the kids involved holding pelts and performing mock rescues. Fun stuff.
We went in the today, in early January, when it was COLD and is their slowest season as far as «patients» are concerned — plan to return in the spring when it’s really hopping! They are sometimes caring for over 200 marine animals at a time — inspiring place and well worth a visit.

Love this place. Disclaimer: I do volunteer there…
But that means I have an insider view. These people truly care. The animals get the highest level of rehab and medicine available.
The center is also a fantastic educational resource open to the public. If you check the website you can find the calendar which includes cocktail events for adults and fun daytime events for kids.
Please support TMMC in the mission to protect our precious sea creatures!