Address

20162 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, Ca. 92651

Phone Number

(949) 494 - 3050

Date Visited

07/29/2015

Website

Link to Website

Pacific Marine Mammal Center

Description

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is located at 20162 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, Ca.

The main parking area (paved - two handicapped spots) is located in front of the Animal Shelter.

If parking is not available there, one can park in the gravel lot nearby.

The Center is open, no doors, admission booths, etc.

The area is easy to navigate, with smooth concrete underfoot and plenty of space to view the guests.

The single-occupancy, handicapped-accessible restroom is located outside the entrance, to the left.

A gift shop is located within the building, but wide open for easy entry and exit.

Everyone is pleasant and extremely knowledgeable.

Checklist

    Surface of lot:  paved
    Distance to venue:  close
    Terrain:  relatively flat
    Paths and walkways:  concrete
    Doors:  none
    Width of aisles:  ample room to navigate
    Places to sit:  some benches
    Location of restrooms:  outside entrance, to the left
    Type of restroom:  single-occupancy, handicapped-accessible
    Ease of entry and exit:  OK
    Baby changing station:  yes
    Available food services:  none
    Friendliness of staff:  very pleasant & extremely knowledgeable

Read More

On the main road into Laguna Beach we found the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.


We pulled into the paved parking lot (two handicapped spaces) to find out what the place was about.  What we found was a delightful and educational experience.


The main parking area is just outside the Animal Shelter. If parking is not available there you can drop passengers off and park in the gravel lot nearby.


We parked and walked through the gate, past the main, red house, to the enclosures housing the marine guests.  The Center has about ten pool enclosures with a variety of marine mammals (sea lions, elephant seals, harbor seals, fur seals).  The number of guests varies at any given time.  The mission of the Center is to “rescue, rehabilitate, and release marine mammals and inspire ocean stewardship  through research, education and collaboration” (website)


We spent time reading about and watching the marine guests. Many kids were there asking many questions.  As I listened to the patient explanations I realized how committed these volunteers are to their charges.  A wonderful group of docents have a vast amount of knowledge and love for their marine friends.  One lovely docent even took us up a flight of stairs so that we were able to view some of the elephant seals that could not be seen from the ground level viewing area because of their location towards the back of the Center.


Navigating the ground level viewing area is easy.  The area is flat concrete.  There are some benches available if one needs a rest.  There are a few picnic tables, which appear to be used for classes.


A small gift shop is located within the building, but wide open for easy entrance and exit.  Purchases from the shop “help contribute to the patients in their care.” (website)


The single-occupancy, handicapped-accessible restroom is located outside the entrance to the center. It is around the side to the left of the entrance.


It was hard to leave this amazing facility that started with a little girl begging a lifeguard to rescue a sea lion she saw on the beach many years ago.  If you want to know more about this story, read about it on the Center’s website.


As always, we at Destination Accessible advise you to visit a venue’s website, www.pacificmmn.org, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”



Location


Nearby

Pageant of the MastersTivoli Terrace  RestaurantGreeter's Corner RestaurantAliso BeachMain BeachHeisler Beach