The Living Coast Discovery Center
Introduction
The Living Coast Discovery Center is a San Diego zoo and aquarium located in the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This center is home to more than 350 animals ranging from hawks and owls, to sea turtles and sharks, animals who have been rescued and rehabilitated or can't be returned to the wild. Visitors can enjoy an immersive encounter with the diverse habitats of San Diego Bay, as well as interactive exhibits that educate guests on all aspects of local wildlife.
The Living Coast Discovery Center is located in San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, California.
The Living Coast Discovery Center (formerly Chula Vista Nature Center) is an environmental education center, zoo and aquarium located in San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, California.
The Living Coast Discovery Center has a mission to connect people with nature through our landmark educational facility while educating children and adults about the importance of conserving our local environment. The facility includes indoor exhibits, outdoor animal areas and special events throughout the year.
The Living Coast is the only bay-front zoo in San Diego County
The Living Coast is the only bay-front zoo in San Diego County and is home to more than 350 animals ranging from hawks and owls, to sea turtles and sharks, animals who have been rescued and rehabilitated or can't be returned to the wild. The center provides an educational opportunity for visitors of all ages to learn about local wildlife while exploring over two miles of trails through natural habitats. A visit here will inspire children to develop a passion for nature that lasts a lifetime.
The mission of the Living Coast Discovery Center is to provide an interactive experience that inspires people to connect with, understand, and care for the natural world.
The Living Coast Discovery Center is a non-profit organization. It was founded in 1987, and its mission is to provide an interactive experience that inspires people to connect with, understand, and care for the natural world.
Sapphire, our favorite turtle
An interactive exhibit that connects you with wetlands wildlife.
At the Living Coast Discovery Center, you can touch a stingray (whoa!) and see an octopus. You can even get up close with Betsy Ross, the resident Bald Eagle. If you're lucky, you might even see a sea turtle or two (say hi to Sapphire)! The Living Coast Discovery Center offers plenty of fun interactive experiences for the whole family.
Betsy Ross, the official Bald Eagle
You'll be able to experience so much at this incredible place—from taking part in their guided tours that teach visitors about wildlife conservation to visiting their exhibits where they highlight different ecosystems found throughout California—the possibilities are endless!
Be sure to leave some time to check out the walking paths that lead you to San Diego Bay. You’ll learn some history and see incredible views of downtown San Diego, Coronado, the Silver Strand, Imperial Beach and Chula Vista.
Looking North to Downtown San Diego
South Bay from the shore of the Living Coast Discovery Center
Conclusion
This is a really fun place to visit and you can even find some great hiking trails nearby if you want to explore the outdoors. If your interests are even slightly peaked by this description, do yourself a favor, and take a quick trip to the Living Coast Discovery Center.
The trip takes about 2-3 hours total (depending on part of town you're coming from). Let us know if this post actually gets you to go or if it doesn’t, how could we make this even more appealing to you? E-mail us – feedback@drivesanddetours.com or DM us on Insta @drivesanddetours.