The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary is offering excursions into our marine and land habitats this spring.
Sunday, April 20 – 2:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.
Coastal Flower Walk in Pescadero Marsh, San Mateo County. Local botanist and author Toni Corelli will lead a walk among the dazzling spring flowers of the Pescadero Coast. Learn how to identify both native and introduced species while exploring the dunes, coastal marsh and coastal scrub along the stunning sanctuary coastline. Well-behaved children are welcome. Space is limited. Cost: $10. For registration, contact Christy Walker at (650) 712-8948 or [email protected].
Saturday, May 31 - 8:30 A.M.–11:30 A.M.
Spotting the Nesting Seabirds of Alcatraz, Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay.
Join Alcatraz Island Wildlife Intern Stephanie Bishop (Golden Gate National Recreation Area) on an up close and personal tour of nesting seabirds. Observe seabirds such as cormorants, guillemots, gulls, egrets, and night-herons nesting, courting, incubating their eggs and feeding their young. After tour, participants may choose to stay on Alcatraz and return on a later ferry.Well-behaved children are welcome. Space is limited. Cost: $20 (includes ferry). For registration, contact Justin Holl at (415) 561-6625 x308 or [email protected].
Saturday, June 14 - 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Paddling in Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County.
Kayak to explore Pillar Point Harbor to view harbor seals, seabirds and other marine sanctuary wildlife. Pack a lunch for a relaxing picnic on the beach. First time paddlers as well as experienced kayakers are welcome on this fun sanctuary excursion. Minimum age is 14 years. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Space is limited. Cost: $49. For registration, contact California Canoe and Kayak at 1-800-366-9804 or www.calkayak.com and ask for the sanctuary excursion on June 14th.
Sunday, July 13 – 7:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Sanctuary Whale Watch, San Francisco Marina. Come join us on a day-long whale watching trip through the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Summer is a perfect time to experience the diverse & beautiful wildlife of the sanctuary. Thirty-six species of marine mammals can be found here including blue and humpback whales that come to feed in the summer, harbor porpoise, common dolphin, seals and sea lions. This is an excellent place to look for seabirds, including shearwaters, cormorants, and Common Murres. Weather permitting we’ll see the Farallon Islands up close. Our experienced naturalist will lead us in an exciting journey of wildlife exploration and discovery. Minimum age is 10 years. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Space is limited. Cost: $85. For registration, contact Adrian at: (415) 561-6625 x300 or [email protected].