Visiting Pacific Marine Mammal Center Laguna Beach, California

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is adjacent to the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter in Laguna Canyon. The center is dedicated to caring for and rehabilitating injured California seals and sea lions that become stranded along the Orange County coast. March through July is the busiest time for the marine center, with as many as one hundred seals needing care during this time. In a typical year, the center cares for 10-90 animals.

Tours and Educational Opportunities

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center offers various educational opportunities, including free public tours, group tours, classes, a Marine Science Kids Club, and School Programs for all age groups. They host Camp Pinniped for kids aged 8 to 12 during the summer. Throughout the year, the center welcomes thousands of students, from preschoolers to college students, to learn about the ocean and its inhabitants and the care provided to injured marine mammals. Groups of six or more can schedule a guided tour of the facility with advance notice, or individuals are welcome to visit during business hours.

California Sea Lions & Seals

California Sea Lions can grow up to 800 lbs, but most at the center are pups. They like to breed on sandy beaches and swim at most 10 miles to sea. They often gather at harbors and can also be seen on navigational buoys. The sea lion’s significant predators are killer whales and white sharks. Females are lighter in color than males, and pups are born dark but lighten when they are several months old.

Harbor Seals: The most common seal typically stays near the shore and prefers to gather in groups on rock outcrops, beaches, and piers. The breeding season is from March to May, and pupping occurs between April and May. Many pups become stranded along the coast, with some ending up at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center for rest and rehabilitation. This pinniped can vary in color from brownish-black to tan or gray. It has a short body, flippers, and a large, rounded head.

Northern Elephant Seal: These seals are easy to recognize, with the male having a large nose. The males can grow to 5,000 lbs, and females can reach 1,400 lbs. Elephant seals were almost hunted to extinction by the end of the 19th century for their blubber, which was used to make oil. The Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act currently protects the northern elephant seal. Pupping season is from December to February; pups weigh about 75 pounds, with occasional pups showing up at the marine center.

Northern Fur Seal: Adult males are stocky in build and have an enlarged neck that is thick and wide. They have a mane, which is longer guard hair that extends from the lower neck to the shoulders and covers the nape, neck, chest, and upper back. The northern fur seal is found in the North Pacific, with its southernmost reach being a line that runs roughly from the southern tip of Japan to the south end of Baja California.

Call the Pacific Marine Mammal Center if these seals are distressed along the Orange County coast. Refrain from trying to rescue these creatures on your own. Rescue crews have the proper equipment to safely secure and transport the seal back to the marine center.

Getting to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center

The Marine Mammal Center Laguna Beach hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Call (949) 494-3050 or visit them online at www.pacificmmc.org.
Pacific Marine Mammal Center Marine Mammal Center is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. Visit the Mammal Center website for up-to-date information. Visitors are welcome between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. Note: The center is currently closed to the public for construction and is expected to reopen in the fall of 2024.

Nearby Points of Interest

Nix Nature Center Laguna Canyon

The Nix Nature Center serves as the gateway to a network of trails in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, located in the San Joaquin Hills surrounding Laguna Beach, California. This area is perfect for exploring coastal canyons, ridgeline views, and the only natural lake in Orange County, California. You can find interactive displays, interpretive panels, fossil-embedded rockwork, audio recordings, projected images, art, and artifacts at the center. The trails are maintained for hiking and mountain biking, offering various difficulty levels for beginners and experts. Visit website.

Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival

The Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach is a lively celebration of art, music, and community from the end of June to September 1, 2024. It’s a unique opportunity to meet and interact with over 180 local artists, watch live demonstrations, and enjoy a variety of live music performances. Aside from the art, the festival offers a wide selection of food and drink options, including the Sawdust Saloon and several outdoor dining venues.

Dana Point Headlands Nature Trail

The Dana Point Headlands Nature Trail near Dana Point, California, offers stunning views of the Pacific coastline. The trail is part of a 3-mile public trail system linking open space areas. At the Nature Interpretive Center, visitors can learn about the area’s rich history, protected habitat, and vegetation unique to the coastal bluff. Please note that dogs are not allowed on dirt trails within the Headlands, and visitors must always stay on the marked trails.

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