Touch a shark and enjoy the coastal views during expanded summer hours
SANTA CRUZ, CA — Just in time for summer, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, operated by UC Santa Cruz, will be open daily through Aug. 4, making it easier than ever for families, students and ocean lovers to explore the wonders of the California Coast. With a brand-new jelly tank, more sharks to touch, and a cutting-edge augmented reality experience featuring the center’s iconic 87-foot blue whale skeleton, “Ms. Blue,” there’s never been a better time to visit.
Guests can now experience Ms. Blue like never before. Using augmented reality (AR) created by Halon Entertainment — the visual effects studio behind Avatar, Jurassic World, and Star Wars — visitors can view and snap photos with a full 3-D rendering of the blue whale. By scanning a symbol near the outdoor exhibit with an easy-to-use app, Ms. Blue appears on screen both as a skeleton and in lifelike, full-bodied form. The whale washed ashore on Pescadero State Beach in 1979 and has greeted visitors to the Seymour Center for 25 years. This immersive AR exhibit brings her legacy to life in a groundbreaking, interactive way while she undergoes restoration.
Also new this year: a larger jelly tank installed to give Pacific sea nettles more room to grow and visitors a better view of their hypnotic movements.
Visitors can still enjoy classic favorites like the touch-a-shark tank with longtime residents Dottie and 3 Dot. Daily 30-minute docent-led tours offer a deeper look at local marine life, and guests are invited to cap off their visit with a picnic on the bluff or a stroll along the center’s scenic, paved coastal trails.
Also, this season brings a new bike-to-discover discount: visitors who ride their bikes and show their helmets at the front desk will receive $1 off admission now through Sept. 30.
The nonprofit Seymour Marine Discovery Center, founded 25 years ago and located on the coast just north of Natural Bridges State Beach, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through August 4 (regular hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). General admission rates include: $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and $9 for children, with free admissionfor members and toddlers 2 and under. Annual memberships begin at $50/year and pay for themselves in just a few visits. Parking is $1.50/hour on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and free on weekends. The Seymour Center is located at 100 McAllister Way in Santa Cruz, California.
About Seymour Marine Discovery Center
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is a community-supported marine science education center dedicated to educating the public about the role of scientific research in understanding and conservation of the world’s oceans. Seymour Marine Discovery Center offers visitors numerous unique, educational and interactive indoor and outdoor exhibits for all ages for a glimpse into the research taking place at UC Santa Cruz. Learn more at https://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu, and on Facebook and Instagram.
