1 / 2Living Coast Discovery Center
📍 Chula Vista, CA
Living Coast Discovery Center houses raptors along Raptor Row, sea turtles, sharks, rays, and coastal habitats on San Diego Bay. Daily animal presentations, keeper talks, and private animal encounters available.
Our kids grew up coming on field trips here. Not much has changed, but it's still as interesting as it was then. This is a great place to bring kids to, to come as a family, to learn about nature and conservation. It's small enough to see everything in a day, and still go into some detail. They have many species of animals here. Their workers are very knowledgeable about the animals, their habitats and interactions. There is a composting station/workshop, a shark and sting ray tank (for petting), as well as a sea anemone petting area, a sea turtle enclosure, several bird enclosures, a look out area with beautiful views looking over the marsh lands and the bay, and an area with picnic tables. The area is surrounded by native plants, chapparal. The gift shop is well stocked and items are mostly affordable. Pleasant staff who are mostly very knowledgeable. (We enjoyed talking to several employees.) Clean bathrooms. Expanded and closer parking lot compared to older one. Bus/shuttle van comes on a loop several times an hour. Also, there are several short hiking trails. Definitely worth spending a day here. (Or more—when my kids were little we had annual passes. Worth the price if you plan to visit more often.)
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with children of any age who want a hands-on wildlife encounter without the scale or crowds of a major zoo. The compact layout means you can cover every exhibit comfortably in a single visit. Time your arrival to catch an eagle feeding or raptor keeper talk — guides deliver genuine depth.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →1,066 Google reviews
Jennifer Doyle
7 months ago
“Our kids grew up coming on field trips here. Not much has changed, but it's still as interesting as it was then. This is a great place to bring kids to, to come as a family, to learn about nature and conservation. It's small enough to see everything in a day, and still go into some detail. They have many species of animals here. Their workers are very knowledgeable about the animals, their habitats and interactions. There is a composting station/workshop, a shark and sting ray tank (for petting), as well as a sea anemone petting area, a sea turtle enclosure, several bird enclosures, a look out area with beautiful views looking over the marsh lands and the bay, and an area with picnic tables. The area is surrounded by native plants, chapparal. The gift shop is well stocked and items are mostly affordable. Pleasant staff who are mostly very knowledgeable. (We enjoyed talking to several employees.) Clean bathrooms. Expanded and closer parking lot compared to older one. Bus/shuttle van comes on a loop several times an hour. Also, there are several short hiking trails. Definitely worth spending a day here. (Or more—when my kids were little we had annual passes. Worth the price if you plan to visit more often.)”
Brendan Kiely
4 months ago
“The Living Coast Discovery Center is an amazing habitat sanctuary to visit just South of San Diego. They have a variety of wildlife with multiple birds, reptiles and marine life. I was lucky enough to arrive on time for see the Eagles being free which was a cool sight. There is also hiking trail out to the Bay which is nice as well. Great for kids and not as crowded as other places.”
Angel Almanza
4 months ago
“Living Coast Discovery Center is a peaceful, hands-on wildlife spot with sea turtles, rays, birds, and beautiful coastal views. Friendly staff, fun exhibits, perfect for families or a chill day exploring. Loved it!”
Daikiry Franco
6 months ago
“We went and enjoyed learning about all the animals they had. The Staff was so nice, they had tons of interesting facts and information about the animals. They made our experience wonderful!”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Living Coast Discovery Center sits on San Diego Bay in Chula Vista with exhibits covering birds of prey, sea turtles, sharks, rays, and marine life. Daily keeper talks include eagle feeding sessions and raptor presentations. Private animal encounters, nature hikes to the bay, wildlife camps, scout programs, and birthday parties are all offered. A gift shop and shuttle bus loop from parking complete the visit.
