| Name
|
Image
|
Location
|
County
|
Summary
|
| Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center
|
|
Carlsbad |
San Diego |
Natural history, ecology and cultural history of the 400-acre lagoon and surrounding area
|
| Alum Rock Science and Nature Center
|
|
San Jose |
Santa Clara |
Operated by the Youth Science Institute in 720-acre Alum Rock Park, natural history exhibits, live animals
|
| American River Nature Center
|
|
Coloma |
El Dorado |
Operated by the American River Conservancy in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
|
| Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center
|
|
Arcata |
Humboldt |
307 acres, marsh ecology and operations of the wastewater treatment plant
|
| Audubon Center at Debs Park
|
|
Los Angeles |
Los Angeles |
Operated by Audubon California in the 282-acre municipal park, nature education programs and native plant restoration projects
|
| Augustus F. Hawkins Natural Park
|
|
Los Angeles |
Los Angeles |
website, Evan Frankel Discovery Center operated by the city in the 8.5-acre park
|
| Batiquitos Lagoon Nature Center
|
|
Carlsbad |
San Diego |
Operated by the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, programs about the 610-acre lagoon
|
| Big Bear Discovery Center
|
|
Fawnskin |
San Bernardino |
Visitor center with exhibits, nature playscape, environmental education programs about the San Bernardino National Forest
|
| Big Sur Discovery Center
|
|
|
Monterey |
Located in 4,766-acre Andrew Molera State Park, exhibits on California condors, operated by the Ventana Wildlife Society
|
| Borrego Desert Nature Center
|
|
Borrego Springs |
San Diego |
Operated by the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, education programs and store about Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
|
| Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center
|
|
Oceanside |
San Diego |
website, natural history of Buena Vista Lagoon
|
| Carolyn Parr Nature Center
|
|
Napa |
Napa |
website, managed by the Napa Valley Naturalists, located in Westwood Hills Park
|
| Charmlee Wilderness Park Nature Center
|
|
Malibu |
Los Angeles |
website, 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 Center
|
|
Chico |
Butte |
Located in 3,670-acre Bidwell Park, live animals, natural history exhibits, native plant garden
|
| City of Watsonville Nature Center
|
|
Watsonville |
Santa Cruz |
website, operated by the City in Ramsay Park, a wetlands area
|
| Crissy Field Center
|
|
San Francisco |
San Francisco |
Environmental education programs, located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
|
| Crab Cove Visitor Center at Crown Memorial State Beach
|
|
Alameda |
Alameda |
Exhibits about the marine life environment and importance of San Francisco Bay, aquarium, local history, 2.5 mile beach
|
| CuriOdyssey
|
|
San Mateo |
San Mateo |
Formerly the Coyote Point Museum, experiential science and wildlife center with many live animals, native garden
|
| David C. Daniels Nature Center
|
|
|
San Mateo |
website, education center for the 2,143-acre Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
|
| Desert Discovery Center
|
|
Barstow |
San Bernardino |
Natural history of the Mojave Desert, 8 acre outdoor trail and classroom, live tortoises
|
| Devil's Punchbowl Nature Center
|
|
Pearblossom |
Los Angeles |
Operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, area wildlife, plants and geology, 1,310 acres
|
| Eaton Canyon Nature Center |
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Pasadena |
Los Angeles |
190 acres, live animals, exhibits about canyon wildlife
|
| Ecology Center
|
|
Berkeley |
Alameda |
Focus on sustainable living, features demonstration home and garden, workshops and classes
|
| Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
|
|
Tahoma |
El Dorado |
1,000 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 Center
|
|
Carmichael |
Sacramento |
website, 77 acres, live native animals, wetlands exhibit, replica Nisenan summer village, operated by the American River Natural History Association
|
| El Dorado Nature Center |
 |
Long Beach |
Los Angeles |
website, 105 acres, 2 miles of trails, operated by the City
|
| Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
|
|
Watsonville |
Santa Cruz |
Operated 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 Park
|
|
Santa Rosa |
Sonoma |
Operated 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 Center
|
|
Newport Beach |
Orange |
website, 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 Center
|
|
Oroville |
Butte |
website, operated by the City, exhibits portraying local wildlife, basaltic boulders, paintings, native plant park along the river
|
| Galster Wilderness Park Nature Center
|
|
Irwindale |
Los Angeles |
Operated by the San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy, 42-acre park, environmental education programs
|
| George F. Canyon Nature Center
|
|
Rolling Hills Estates |
Los Angeles |
Owned 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 Center
|
|
Hayward |
Alameda |
Operated by the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, focus is San Francisco Bay wetland and shoreline ecosystems
|
| Humboldt Coastal Nature Center |
 |
Manila |
Humboldt |
website, 113 acres, operated by the Friends of the Dunes, natural history of Humboldt Bay
|
| Idyllwild Nature Center
|
|
Idyllwild |
Riverside |
website, 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 Center
|
|
Mendocino |
Mendocino |
website, 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 Museum
|
|
Walnut Creek |
Contra Costa |
Natural history museum with live native animals and wildlife rehabilitation center
|
| Living Coast Discovery Center
|
|
Chula Vista |
San Diego |
website, 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 Desert
|
|
Palm Desert |
Riverside |
Botanical garden and zoo dedicated solely to the deserts of the world, 1,200 acres
|
| Louis Robidoux Nature Center
|
|
Riverside |
Riverside |
website, 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 Center
|
|
Palo Alto |
Santa Clara |
Operated by the City in the 1,940-acre Baylands Nature Preserve, 15 miles of trails
|
| Madrona Marsh Preserve & Nature Center
|
|
Torrance |
Los Angeles |
Operated by the City, exhibits about the plants, birds and animals of the marsh
|
| Mary Vagle Museum & Nature Center |
 |
Fontana |
San Bernardino |
website, operated by the City, exhibits of local plants, animals, geology and history
|
| McClellan Ranch Preserve
|
|
Cupertino |
Santa Clara |
18-acres, includes nature museum and environmental education center
|
| Nature Center at Avalon Canyon
|
|
Catalina Island |
Los Angeles |
Natural history and conservation of the island, operated by the Catalina Island Conservancy
|
| Neal Taylor Nature Center
|
|
Santa Barbara |
Santa Barbara |
Hands-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 Center
|
|
Anaheim |
Orange |
58 acres, live animal and regional natural history exhibits, operated by the City
|
| Oak Grove Nature Center
|
|
Stockton |
San Joaquin |
website, 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 Center
|
|
Pismo Beach |
San Luis Obispo |
Operated 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 Center
|
|
Auburn |
Placer |
website, interactive exhibits about area natural and cultural history, watershed, energy choices, replica of a Maidu summer shelter
|
| Placerita Canyon Nature Center
|
|
Santa Clarita |
Los Angeles |
Located in Placerita Canyon State Park, 12 miles of trails, live animals
|
| Rancho Del Oso Nature and History Center
|
|
Davenport |
Santa Cruz |
Located in the ocean end of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, interactive exhibits about the natural and cultural history of the Waddell Valley
|
| Randall Museum
|
|
San Francisco |
San Francisco |
Owned 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 & Sanctuary
|
|
Tiburon |
Marin |
Operated by the National Audubon Society, 911 acres, adult and children's nature programs
|
| Rotary Nature Center
|
|
Oakland |
Alameda |
website, 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 Center
|
|
Red Bluff |
Tehama |
website, located in the 488-acre Red Bluff Recreation Area in Mendocino National Forest, ecosystem of the Sacramento River watershed
|
| Sanborn Science and Nature Center
|
|
Saratoga |
Santa Clara |
Operated 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 Center
|
|
San Dimas |
Los Angeles |
website, 138 acres, enclosed wildlife sanctuary containing live animals indigenous to Southern California
|
| Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
|
|
Santa Cruz |
Santa Cruz |
Exhibits include natural history and geology of the Santa Cruz Region, Ohlone culture, marine life of the Monterey Bay, nature programs
|
| Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
|
|
Irwindale |
Los Angeles |
Operated 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 Reserve
|
|
Idyllwild |
Riverside |
Operated by Riverside County Parks, 9,000-acre reserve, visitor center exhibits and interpretive programs
|
| Shipley Nature Center
|
|
Huntington Beach |
Orange |
website, 18 acres, located within Huntington Beach Central Park, owned by the City, area natural and cultural history, native plants
|
| Shorebird Park Nature Center
|
|
Berkeley |
Alameda |
website, operated by the City in a strawbale building, focus is marine life, conservation and education, 6 acres
|
| Sooky Goldman Nature Center
|
|
Beverly Hills |
Los Angeles |
Located in 605-acre Franklin Canyon Park, exhibits and programs about the park's natural and cultural history
|
| STAR Eco Station
|
|
Culver City |
Los Angeles |
website, environmental science museum, exotic wildlife rescue center and haven for endangered and illegally trafficked exotic animals
|
| Stoneview Nature Center |
 |
Culver City |
Los Angeles |
Managed by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation; part of the Park to Playa Trail
|
| Sulphur Creek Nature Center
|
|
Hayward |
Alameda |
Managed by the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, wildlife education and rehabilitation facility, live native animals
|
| Tilden Regional Park
|
|
Berkeley |
Alameda |
2,079-acre park, includes the Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center
|
| Topanga Nature Center
|
|
Topanga |
Los Angeles |
Located in 11,000-acre Topanga State Park, exhibits about the flora, fauna and geography of the area
|
| Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary
|
|
Modjeska Canyon |
Orange |
Owned 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 Park
|
|
Redding |
Shasta |
300 acres, includes the McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Turtle Bay Museum and Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp
|
| Vasona Science and Nature Center
|
|
Los Gatos |
Santa Clara |
Youth science and nature education facility operated by the Youth Science Institute in the 150-acre Vasona Park
|
| White Point Nature Education Center
|
|
San Pedro |
Los Angeles |
Operated by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, 102 acres, hiking and handicap accessible trails overlooking the ocean and Catalina Island
|
| Whittier Narrows Nature Center
|
|
South El Monte |
Los Angeles |
Operated by the County, exhibits about the plants and animals of the river environment, includes live displays, 400 acres
|
| Wilderness Park Nature Center
|
|
Arcadia |
Los Angeles |
website, operated by the City, features live animals on display and a pond
|
| Yosemite National Park - Nature Center at Happy Isles
|
|
Yosemite Valley |
Mariposa |
Open from May-Sep, located at the Happy Isles bus stop
|
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