List of nature centers in California

This is a list of nature centers and environmental education centers in the state of California.

See also: List of nature centers in the United States

To use the sortable tables: click on the icons at the top of each column to sort that column in alphabetical order; click again for reverse alphabetical order.

Name Location County Summary
Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery CenterCarlsbadSan DiegoNatural history, ecology and cultural history of the 400-acre lagoon and surrounding area
Alum Rock Science and Nature CenterSan JoseSanta ClaraOperated by the Youth Science Institute in 720-acre Alum Rock Park, natural history exhibits, live animals
American River Nature CenterColomaEl DoradoOperated by the American River Conservancy in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Arcata Marsh Interpretive CenterArcataHumboldt307 acres, marsh ecology and operations of the wastewater treatment plant
Audubon Center at Debs ParkLos AngelesLos AngelesOperated by Audubon California in the 282-acre municipal park, nature education programs and native plant restoration projects
Augustus F. Hawkins Natural ParkLos AngelesLos Angeleswebsite, Evan Frankel Discovery Center operated by the city in the 8.5-acre park
Batiquitos Lagoon Nature CenterCarlsbadSan DiegoOperated by the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, programs about the 610-acre lagoon
Big Bear Discovery CenterFawnskinSan BernardinoVisitor center with exhibits, nature playscape, environmental education programs about the San Bernardino National Forest
Big Sur Discovery CenterMontereyLocated in 4,766-acre Andrew Molera State Park, exhibits on California condors, operated by the Ventana Wildlife Society
Borrego Desert Nature CenterBorrego SpringsSan DiegoOperated by the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, education programs and store about Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Buena Vista Audubon Nature CenterOceansideSan Diegowebsite, natural history of Buena Vista Lagoon
Carolyn Parr Nature CenterNapaNapawebsite, managed by the Napa Valley Naturalists, located in Westwood Hills Park
Charmlee Wilderness Park Nature CenterMalibuLos Angeleswebsite, operated by the City in the 532-acre park, displays on Chumash Indian history, the park’s history as a working ranch, geology, local flora and fauna
Chico Creek Nature CenterChicoButteLocated in 3,670-acre Bidwell Park, live animals, natural history exhibits, native plant garden
City of Watsonville Nature CenterWatsonvilleSanta Cruzwebsite, operated by the City in Ramsay Park, a wetlands area
Crissy Field CenterSan FranciscoSan FranciscoEnvironmental education programs, located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Crab Cove Visitor Center at Crown Memorial State BeachAlamedaAlamedaExhibits about the marine life environment and importance of San Francisco Bay, aquarium, local history, 2.5 mile beach
CuriOdysseySan MateoSan MateoFormerly the Coyote Point Museum, experiential science and wildlife center with many live animals, native garden
David C. Daniels Nature CenterSan Mateowebsite, education center for the 2,143-acre Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
Desert Discovery CenterBarstowSan BernardinoNatural history of the Mojave Desert, 8 acre outdoor trail and classroom, live tortoises
Devil's Punchbowl Nature CenterPearblossomLos AngelesOperated by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, area wildlife, plants and geology, 1,310 acres
Eaton Canyon Nature CenterPasadenaLos Angeles190 acres, live animals, exhibits about canyon wildlife
Ecology CenterBerkeleyAlamedaFocus on sustainable living, features demonstration home and garden, workshops and classes
Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State ParkTahomaEl Dorado1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) park, nature center located in the day use area by the Ehrman Mansion, displays of park birds, mammals, game fish, lake ecology, wildflowers, trees
Effie Yeaw Nature CenterCarmichaelSacramentowebsite, 77 acres, live native animals, wetlands exhibit, replica Nisenan summer village, operated by the American River Natural History Association
El Dorado Nature CenterLong BeachLos Angeleswebsite, 105 acres, 2 miles of trails, operated by the City
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research ReserveWatsonvilleSanta CruzOperated by the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, about 1,700 acres, exhibits about the birds, plants, animals and marine life of the watershed.
Environmental Discovery Center at Spring Lake Regional ParkSanta RosaSonomaOperated by Sonoma County Parks, 320-acre park, hands-on exhibits about Sonoma County's plants, animals and natural resources, tide pool with live, touchable sea creatures
Environmental Nature CenterNewport BeachOrangewebsite, Established 1972; 5 acres; hands-on natural science and sustainability programs, field trips, nature camps; LEED Platinum-certified building, seasonal butterfly house
Feather River Nature CenterOrovilleButtewebsite, operated by the City, exhibits portraying local wildlife, basaltic boulders, paintings, native plant park along the river
Galster Wilderness Park Nature CenterIrwindaleLos AngelesOperated by the San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy, 42-acre park, environmental education programs
George F. Canyon Nature CenterRolling Hills EstatesLos AngelesOwned by the City and operated by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, 36 acres, exhibits include butterflies, birds of the canyon, insects, plant habitats, animals and wildflowers
Hayward Shoreline Interpretive CenterHaywardAlamedaOperated by the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, focus is San Francisco Bay wetland and shoreline ecosystems
Humboldt Coastal Nature CenterManilaHumboldtwebsite, 113 acres, operated by the Friends of the Dunes, natural history of Humboldt Bay
Idyllwild Nature CenterIdyllwildRiversidewebsite, operated by Riverside County Parks in the 202-acre Idyllwild Park, exhibits and programs on mountain ecology, habitats, flora and fauna, Cahuilla Native culture and the history of the San Jacinto Mountains
Jughandle Creek Farm and Nature CenterMendocinoMendocinowebsite, 39 acres, private organization that includes a nature center, overnight lodging, native plant nursery, community gardens, forests, meadows and trails, adjacent to Jug Handle State Natural Reserve
Lindsay Wildlife MuseumWalnut CreekContra CostaNatural history museum with live native animals and wildlife rehabilitation center
Living Coast Discovery CenterChula VistaSan Diegowebsite, private organization located on the 316-acre Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, features aquariums and displays of local marine life and reptiles, a sea turtle lagoon, outdoor aviaries of rescued birds, a shark and ray exhibit, and hiking trails
The Living DesertPalm DesertRiversideBotanical garden and zoo dedicated solely to the deserts of the world, 1,200 acres
Louis Robidoux Nature CenterRiversideRiversidewebsite, operated by Riverside County Parks, ecology of the Jurupa Valley area, changing exhibits on Native American history, native mammals, birds and reptiles, basic astronomy, the environment
Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive CenterPalo AltoSanta ClaraOperated by the City in the 1,940-acre Baylands Nature Preserve, 15 miles of trails
Madrona Marsh Preserve & Nature CenterTorranceLos AngelesOperated by the City, exhibits about the plants, birds and animals of the marsh
Mary Vagle Museum & Nature CenterFontanaSan Bernardinowebsite, operated by the City, exhibits of local plants, animals, geology and history
McClellan Ranch PreserveCupertinoSanta Clara18-acres, includes nature museum and environmental education center
Nature Center at Avalon CanyonCatalina IslandLos AngelesNatural history and conservation of the island, operated by the Catalina Island Conservancy
Neal Taylor Nature CenterSanta BarbaraSanta BarbaraHands-on discovery center focused on the natural environment, ecosystems, and cultural heritage of Cachuma Lake, the upper Santa Ynez River and San Rafael Mountain watershed
Oak Canyon Nature CenterAnaheimOrange58 acres, live animal and regional natural history exhibits, operated by the City
Oak Grove Nature CenterStocktonSan Joaquinwebsite, operated by the County in 180-acre Oak Grove Regional Park, exhibits of flora and fauna native to the Park, San Joaquin County and the San Joaquin Valley
Pismo Nature CenterPismo BeachSan Luis ObispoOperated by the Central Coast Natural History Association at 1,050-acre Pismo State Beach, exhibits about the park's natural history, fresh water lagoon and Chumash culture
Placer Nature CenterAuburnPlacerwebsite, interactive exhibits about area natural and cultural history, watershed, energy choices, replica of a Maidu summer shelter
Placerita Canyon Nature CenterNewhallLos AngelesLocated in Placerita Canyon State Park, 12 miles of trails, live animals
Rancho Del Oso Nature and History CenterDavenportSanta CruzLocated in the ocean end of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, interactive exhibits about the natural and cultural history of the Waddell Valley
Randall MuseumSan FranciscoSan FranciscoOwned and operated by the City's Recreation and Parks Department, focus is nature, science, arts and crafts, live native and domestic animals and interactive displays
Richardson Bay Audubon Center & SanctuaryTiburonMarinOperated by the National Audubon Society, 911 acres, adult and children's nature programs
Rotary Nature CenterOaklandAlamedawebsite, operated by the City, interactive exhibits about Lake Merritt and Joaquin Miller Park, includes freshwater viewing ponds, five habitat islands, a geodesic dome for injured birds
Sacramento River Discovery CenterRed BluffTehamawebsite, located in the 488-acre Red Bluff Recreation Area in Mendocino National Forest, ecosystem of the Sacramento River watershed
Sanborn Science and Nature CenterSaratogaSanta ClaraOperated by the Youth Science Institute in 3,688-acre Sanborn Park, exhibits include animal mounts that populate the Santa Cruz Mountain Range, earthquake and geology displays, an insect zoo and an organic garden
San Dimas Canyon Nature CenterSan DimasLos Angeleswebsite, 138 acres, enclosed wildlife sanctuary containing live animals indigenous to Southern California
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural HistorySanta CruzSanta CruzExhibits include natural history and geology of the Santa Cruz Region, Ohlone culture, marine life of the Monterey Bay, nature programs
Santa Fe Dam Nature CenterIrwindaleLos AngelesOperated by the San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy, exhibits on the plant life and wildlife of the alluvial fan of the San Gabriel River, 70 acre lake
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological ReserveIdyllwildRiversideOperated by Riverside County Parks, 9,000-acre reserve, visitor center exhibits and interpretive programs
Shipley Nature CenterHuntington BeachOrangewebsite, 18 acres, located within Huntington Beach Central Park, owned by the City, area natural and cultural history, native plants
Shorebird Park Nature CenterBerkeleyAlamedawebsite, operated by the City in a strawbale building, focus is marine life, conservation and education, 6 acres
Sooky Goldman Nature CenterBeverly HillsLos AngelesLocated in 605-acre Franklin Canyon Park, exhibits and programs about the park's natural and cultural history
STAR Eco StationCulver CityLos Angeleswebsite, environmental science museum, exotic wildlife rescue center and haven for endangered and illegally trafficked exotic animals
Sulphur Creek Nature CenterHaywardAlamedaManaged by the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, wildlife education and rehabilitation facility, live native animals
Tilden Regional ParkBerkeleyAlameda2,079-acre park, includes the Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center
Topanga Nature CenterTopangaLos AngelesLocated in 11,000-acre Topanga State Park, exhibits about the flora, fauna and geography of the area
Tucker Wildlife SanctuaryModjeska CanyonOrangeOwned and operated by California State University, Fullerton, includes a natural history museum and interpretive center, two ponds, bird observation porch and feeders, hiking trails, gift shop
Turtle Bay Exploration ParkReddingShasta300 acres, includes the McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Turtle Bay Museum and Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp
Vasona Science and Nature CenterLos GatosSanta ClaraYouth science and nature education facility operated by the Youth Science Institute in the 150-acre Vasona Park
White Point Nature Education CenterSan PedroLos AngelesOperated by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, 102 acres, hiking and handicap accessible trails overlooking the ocean and Catalina Island
Whittier Narrows Nature CenterSouth El MonteLos AngelesOperated by the County, exhibits about the plants and animals of the river environment, includes live displays, 400 acres
Wilderness Park Nature CenterArcadiaLos Angeleswebsite, operated by the City, features live animals on display and a pond
Yosemite National Park - Nature Center at Happy IslesYosemite ValleyMariposaOpen from May-Sep, located at the Happy Isles bus stop

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