Seal of Approval
Visit the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro
Every year, hundreds of sea lions and seals get stranded along the 170 miles of Los Angeles County coastline (from Malibu to Long Beach) due to malnourishment, illness, or entanglement.
When that happens, the good folks at the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro spring into action, rescuing and rehabbing the animals so they can return to the wild. In the last year alone, the nonprofit cared for over 800 animals.
You can see that lifesaving work up close by visiting the Center’s animal hospital, where finned patients recover in fenced-in pools. On any given day, you’ll see a variety of elephant seals, harbor seals, fur seals, or California sea lions, now identified with cute names like Gingerbread and Kungfu. Volunteers are on hand to share insights about the Center’s animal care, research, and conservation efforts–along with details on how you can help by sponsoring a pup.
Families with kids ages 8 and up can take part in Family Science Sundays, an interactive hour-long workshop on rotating topics about ocean conservation and marine mammals. Stop by the gift shop on the way out to see sea animal skeletons including an impressive whale skull.
PARKS BONUS: To round out your marine-themed day, consider taking a walk at the nearby Angels Gate Park and Point Fermin Park, both offering incredible ocean vistas.
Just a five minute walk from the Center, Angels Gate Park sits on a hillside and features the Korean Friendship Bell, a massive bronze bell housed in an intricate pavilion donated by the Republic of Korea in 1976 to celebrate the U.S. bicentennial.
Head down the steep foot trail by the pavilion and cross West Paseo Del Mar to reach Point Fermin Park, a grassy cliff-side green space with walking paths, picnic tables, a plethora of shady Moreton Bay fig trees, and the picturesque Point Fermin Lighthouse.
The Marine Mammal Center is located at 3601 South Gaffey St. #8, San Pedro. Directions are here. The Center is open Friday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission for the patient viewing and/or the Family Science Sundays is free but it’s highly recommended to reserve timed tickets on their site in advance since walk-ins are limited.
Story and photos by Yvonne Pasquini, @yvonne_pasquini
