Kids try out the remote-controlled underwater submersible at the Exploration Center. Photo by Chip Scheuer.
The 12,600-square-foot Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center is as vibrant and inventive a window on the ocean as one could hope for. Standing sentinel as a guardian of sea life at the mouth of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, the admission-free educational center opened to the public on July 23, 2012, and schools of curious observers have been flowing freely through the two-story center since.
The way in which the exhibits flow into each other, winding up, around and even outside the building, give an observer the impression of strolling through a giant, sunlight-flooded seashell. A second-story deck looks out over the Boardwalk and the Bay, the intersection of man and sea. Inside, a giant map of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and a brief history of its establishment grounds you at the start of your journey and displays enormous sea mounts and shelves hidden from view. A variety of interactive displays follow and explain the vast and varied ecosystems out of sight for many landlubbers.
Although no living creatures can be found at the Center, a plethora of interactive activities make the displays almost come alive. Touch screen games allow visitors to see what it’s like to be a sea turtle trying to discern between jellyfish and plastic bags as it makes its way across the Pacific Ocean, or discover deep sea creatures on the ocean floor. A short film plays on a large screen in the Center’s 40-seat theater, explaining the different ways humans have impacted the Monterey Bay over the centuries, from the otter hunts of the 19th century through the establishment of Cannery Row. A touch-sensitive tide pool teaches visitors about the flora and fauna in the intertidal zone and advises them to “Step lightly” and “Leave it where you find it.” There is even an opportunity for aspiring marine explorers to man an underwater submersible in a large tank. The Center’s passion for the environment and education extends even to the restrooms, where one can learn how waste water is treated before it can be safely released into the ocean while using the fascilities.
The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries collaborated with the city of Santa Cruz as well as the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to build the state-of-the-art exploration center. The ONMS provided design and construction funds and the city offered the $2 million beachfront property in the heart of Santa Cruz’s famed beach area and helped manage construction. The exhibits within the Exploration Center were funded by a donation campaign organized by the NMSF.
Staying true to the center’s themes of education and stewardship, the building itself is a model of sustainability. Its environmentally friendly construction process involved using sustainable materials and recycling or reusing 95 percent of construction waste. The design integrates solar panels, fan towers, double-paned windows, water cisterns and a variety of other elements to make the Center as ecologically impact-free as possible. The overall sensitive design and operation have allowed the Sanctuary Exploration Center to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s gold standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center is a beacon of educational awareness and scientific passion. Visitors to the Center can’t help but take away a healthy helping of insight and wonder at our beautiful yet fragile marine neighbors.
35 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz
831.421.9993
Wed–Sun 10am–5pm (closed Mon–Tue)
Free
