Living Coast Discovery Center Celebrates Animals on the Bay Day with Free Admission on Oct. 8
CHULA VISTA, CALIF. – The Living Coast Discovery Center, a nonprofit zoo and aquarium located on San Diego Bay in Chula Vista, will host its annual Animals on the Bay Day on Sunday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the only day of the year that the Living Coast offers free admission to all guests.
During this unique event, guests will have the opportunity to learn about local wildlife and conservation and participate in games, presentations, face painting, arts and crafts, prize raffles and more. Special guest presentations and activities will take place throughout the day, including Ms. Mallory Adventures (“The Curious Conservationist”), Zovargo (interactive children’s wildlife and conservation program) and musical performances by Banding Together. Guests can also enjoy up-close animal encounters and sea turtle, shark and eagle feedings. Additional event information is available on the Living Coast website.
Animals on the Bay Day is made possible by an Explore the Coast grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy, a state agency established in 1976 to protect and improve natural lands and waterways, help people get to and enjoy the outdoors, and sustain local economies along the length of California’s coast. Since 2013, the Coastal Conservancy has provided over $4.2 million through the Explore the Coast program.
The Port of San Diego is also providing financial support of Animals on the Bay Day as part of its Tidelands Activation Program, an annual grant program that supports events that inspire visitors to enjoy San Diego Bay.
The Living Coast has partnered with several wildlife and community partners to provide kid-friendly activities for the whole family during the event, including Birch Aquarium, San Diego Audubon Society, Ocean Connectors, Climate Science Alliance and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
“We are thankful for our sponsors and community partners that make this annual event possible, allowing the public to come together to celebrate all of the local wildlife that call San Diego Bay home,” said Living Coast Executive Director Ben Vallejos.
In keeping with its mission, the Living Coast is encouraging guests to utilize public transportation to the event. A complimentary shuttle will pick up guests at the E Street trolley station and transport them directly to the Living Coast. Additional off-site parking is being made available at UTC Aerospace–Aerostructures at 850 Lagoon Drive, Chula Vista.
About Living Coast Discovery Center
The Living Coast Discovery Center, a 501(c) 3 educational zoo and aquarium located within the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Sweetwater Marsh, began operating as a non-profit in 2010 after assuming operations of the Chula Vista Nature Center. The Living Coast Discovery Center offers hands-on exhibits and up-close encounters with plant and animal species native to Southern California coastal habitats, including endangered sea turtles, sting rays, leopard sharks, jellies, shorebirds, reptiles and a large collection of raptors such as hawks, falcons, owls, American bald eagle, golden eagle, and more. More information about the Living Coast Discovery Center is available at www.thelivingcoast.org or (619) 409-5900.
