Description
Located just steps away from the ocean and Santa Cruz Wharf, the Sanctuary Exploration Center features state-of-the art exhibits and interactive displays. This center highlights the special waters of nearby Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. You can explore the sanctuary’s remarkable wildlife and ecosystems, such as the kelp forest, various deep sea animals, and migratory species. Explore your role in protecting one of North America’s underwater treasures.
This visitor center provides a range of accessibility features to accommodate families. All of the films and exhibit videos have captions. The exhibits are designed for multi-sensory exploration. Visit our website to learn more information specifically about wheelchair mobility, service animals, sight and hearing impaired assistance, and sensory friendly assistance.
Accessibility Information
- Service dogs are always welcome at the Sanctuary Exploration Center. We follow the U.S. Department of Justice’s requirements for service dogs as listed under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service dogs are defined as animals trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability.
- Transportation
- There are metered accessible parking spots in a parking lot out front of the center, and a loading zone for buses or shuttles with a crosswalk and ramp adjacent.
- The Santa Cruz Metro Buses are fully ADA accessible. Routes 19 and 20 have a daily service stop by the center.
- During the summer months, the city of Santa Cruz operates a fully ADA-accessible shuttle from Downtown to the center. Shuttle rides are $1.00 but guests at the center can pick up vouchers to ride for free, while supplies last.
Mobility accessibility further information:- Wheelchair Accessibility/Mobility
- The entire facility is ADA wheelchair accessible, with an elevator to access exhibits on the second floor and wide pathways. Exhibits are at heights that accommodate all mobility levels. .
- There is seating available throughout the center.
Vision Information:- All of our films and exhibit videos have captions in addition to audio, and all way-finding signs have braille.
Hearing Information:- All of our films and exhibit videos have captions in addition to audio, and all way-finding signs have braille.
Autism/Sensory accessibility information:- Exhibits are tactile and designed for multi-sensory exploration. Visitors are encouraged to inquire about additional hands-on exploration opportunities from our Docents.
- The Sanctuary Exploration Center has a few exhibits featuring sound and potentially loud noises (i.e., Sounds in the Sanctuary, Tidepool Exhibit). The lights in the theater dim for the presentations, and feature some loud noises.
- For a quieter and less busy environment, we recommend visiting on weekdays in the summer, or on weekends in our off season, October–March. Guests who are concerned about sensory issues are encouraged to reach out to our team to get the best advice for visiting.
Other accessibility information:- School programs are offered Wednesday–Friday during the school year (September–May) and involve groups of up to 30 students in K–12 grades exploring the exhibit galleries during the mornings.
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Description
Accessibility Information
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