Visiting Us: Seeing is Believing

Please be aware that the Project Headlands road work is underway in the Marin Headlands daily, now through October, 2013, except on weekends. Please use Conzelman road (not the tunnel) to get in and out of the Headlands.

At The Marine Mammal Center, you can expect to see work on our new driveway and future parking area upon your visit. If you wish, you may also park at the Rodeo Beach parking lot and take a short, invigorating stroll up to our hospital. Click here for more information about Project Headlands construction.

Click on the map below for a bigger view. The road highlighted in green is the road to take both in and out of the Marin Headlands.

Tour Options:

Individual and families:

• Explore on your own (remember, admission is free!) 
• NEW participate in a Family Classroom Program
• Join a Docent-Led Tour
• Take an Audio Tour

Groups (10 or more people):

• Book a self-guided visit to explore on your own (free, but advanced reservations are required)
• Book a private guided tour and/or classroom program for a fee
• School-Aged Guided Tour or Classroom Program
• Adult / Family Guided Tour or Classroom Program

For Questions, please call (415)-289-7330 

Visiting The Marine Mammal Center:

The Marine Mammal Center is nestled in the Marin Headlands in the beautiful Golden Gate National Recreation Area, just minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge and west of Sausalito. We offer educational programs and tours plus numerous exhibits and public viewing areas where visitors can see our volunteers and staff in action and learn more about our marine mammal patients. Learn more about environmental and human impacts that cause many seals and sea lions to become ill by visiting our Save Our Seals. Save Ourselves. awareness page.

• Admission is FREE!
• Directions and map to The Marine Mammal Center
• Parking is limited and carpooling is recommended
• Unfortunately there is no public transportation to our site (on Sundays and some select Holidays, Muni 76 runs to the Fort Cronkhite/Marin Headlands area at Rodeo Beach. However, it does not arrive at our site. The last stop is a 10-15 minute walk to our facility). The Sausalito ferry arrives into downtown Sausalito, six miles from our site. There is no public transportation to our facility from the ferry terminal.
• Our facility is ADA accessible  
• Gift Store is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Donations are always welcome!
• The Marine Mammal Center's Pet Policy: For the health and safety of both Center patients and domestic pets, pets (except fully immunized service dogs) are prohibited in the Center buildings and public areas of the facility.  Service dogs are allowed to enter in the public areas only.

Animal Species by Season at Our Hospital:

• February to May:  Mostly northern elephant seals, Pacific harbor seals and some California sea lions.  March through April is peak season for northern elephant seals, when nearly 100 pups may be on site and in public view.  We may also have several dozen Pacific harbor seal pups that are not in public view because they are especially fragile and sensitive to human disturbance.
• June to October:  Mostly California sea lions, with some northern elephant seals.  Peak viewing for California sea lions is usually July through October. 
• November to January:  Due to birthing cycles, only a few animals are on site. This is a great time to enjoy our exhibits, shop for the holidays at our gift store, or Adopt-a-Seal®!

Please Note:  Since this is a hospital for wild animals, the number and species of patients varies from season to season.  Not all animal patients are in public view.  Especially sensitive animals are placed outside of public viewing areas to limit the impact of human activity. 

To see how many animals and which species are currently at the Center, check our Patients page.

Back to top