Underwater Parks Day

Saturday, January 21st, 2012 is California's fourth annual Underwater Parks Day -- the perfect day for celebrating our other state parks. If you live in Southern California, there are lots of opportunities to get in or on the water, or learn about local sea life through aquarium exhibits and lectures (see below). If you are in Northern California, please join us at our Pillar Point Beach Cleanup in Half Moon Bay (also on Saturday, January 21), or visit the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, or the Seymour Marine Discovery Center in Santa Cruz.
 

Southern California Events:

South coast aquaria started Underwater Parks Day in 2009, and continue to celebrate the event with interactive exhibits, games, lectures and movies. They will also have information for residents that want to get involved in marine protected area monitoring  programs or other volunteer work. See below for a complete list of aquarium celebrations.

If you want to get more up close and personal with southern California's new underwater parks, consider joining Santa Barbara Channelkeeper for a kayak tour of Campus Point, or a clean-up at Goleta River on January 21.  Or join Heal the Bay for a clean-up event at Westward Beach and a guided nature walk of Point Dume.

Aquarium Details:
    
Ty Warner Sea Center: 211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA
(Saturday hours 10 am to 5 pm)
Noon to 3:00 PM.  Discover the hidden magic of California’s Underwater Parks.  Enjoy close encounters with marine critters. Observe incredible aquatic feeding strategies. Stroll around the waves of ocean-themed student art. Celebrate these unique and important environments by pledging to be an ocean guardian. Visit with scientists from Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary to learn how they help protect these special places and how you can get involved. Free admission provided for elementary students attending school in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
 
Cabrillo Aquarium: 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro, CA
(Sat. hours 10 am to 5 pm)
Spend the day at Cabrillo Aquarium learning about the beauty and value of Southern California’s underwater treasures. Participate in an interactive scuba diving demonstration on the importance of monitoring ocean health in our new underwater parks. Visit the library, exploration center and nursery to learn more about the habitats and wildlife that will benefit from being protected.
 
Birch Aquarium: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA
(Sat. hours 9 am to 5 pm)
The Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography will celebrate San Diego's new underwater parks in La Jolla by hosting a photography competition (submittals due January 6). Winners will be announced at 2 pm on Underwater Parks Day and their photos will be displayed at the Aquarium and on their website. Come hear a local scientist talk about ocean research and learn more about underwater parks from a scuba diver during the kelp tank dive show.
 
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium: 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA (Sat. hours 12:30 to 5 pm)
Join Heal the Bay and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium to celebrate Southern California’s new system of Underwater Parks. Participate in a beach clean up and nature walk and then get free admission to the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium afterward!   Visitors will receive a free canvas tote bag and will be encouraged to create their own underwater parks scene on their bags at the Aquarium’s craft station.
 
Aquarium of the Pacific: 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA
(Sat. hours 9am to 6 pm)
Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific and learn more about Southern California’s network of underwater parks. Stories about these underwater parks will be told using films, interactive exhibits, an underwater photography presentation, educational booths, and hands-on activities. As you explore the Aquarium, marvel at the abundance and diversity of wildlife including animals and plants that inhabit the waters off Southern California, such as sea lions, sharks, rockfish, and spiny lobsters.
 
Legoland/SEA LIFE Aquarium: 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA
(Sat. winter hours 10 am to 5 pm)
More than 200 species of sea creatures call SEA LIFE Aquarium home.  Learn about these wondrous animals and how Southern California’s new underwater parks will help protect them for the future. Fun games and activities for families and kids will teach about the ocean and the importance of conservation.
 
Ocean Institute: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA
(Sat. hours 10 am to 3 pm)
Join the staff of the Ocean Institute on a tour of the new underwater park just outside their doors at Dana Point.  Kids will have the chance to learn more about these exciting places through games, activities and videos.