Description
Located on beautiful San Simeon Bay, the Coastal Discovery Center offers interactive exhibits and educational programs highlighting the cultural and natural history of San Simeon, California state parks, and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The interface of land and sea is unique and draws people here for recreational opportunities and inspiration. Protecting these special places preserves them for use and enjoyment for generations to come.
This visitor center provides a range of accessibility features for every visitor to enjoy the exhibits. Visit our website to learn more information specifically about wheelchair mobility, service animals, sight and hearing impaired assistance, and sensory friendly assistance.
Accessibility Information
- Service dogs are always welcome at the Coastal Discovery Center. We follow the U.S. Department of Justice’s requirements for service dogs as listed under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service dogs are defined as animals trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability.
- Transportation
- Accessible parking is located in front of the Coastal Discovery Center next to a ramp to the visitor center
Mobility accessibility further information:- Wheelchair Accessibility/Mobility
- The Coastal Discovery Center is fully accessible for visitors with mobility disabilities or in wheelchairs.
- There is a ramp from the ADA parking space.
- Our video exhibits are equipped with “reader rails” that host tactile buttons, which are ADA compliant.
- All exhibits are wheelchair accessible and the Coastal Discovery Center is all on one level.
- William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach (San Simeon State Park)
- The park has a wheelchair accessible public restroom area.
- The park has wheelchair accessible picnic tables.
- The Coastal Discovery Center is fully accessible for visitors with mobility disabilities or in wheelchairs.
Vision Information:- We have several tactile exhibits and experiences within the sanctuary including a “talking tidepool” with physical buttons and various animal pelts/skulls.
Hearing Information:- Our videos are open captioned.
Autism/Sensory accessibility information:- For a quieter and less busy environment, we recommend visiting the Coastal Discovery Center during the off-season (October through March) on a Friday.
- The Coastal Discovery Center has several exhibits that include loud noises (i.e., Sound in the Sanctuary, Talking Tidepool, Delta Sub Videos, and Elephant Seal Noises).
Other accessibility information:- Spanish language brochures are provided at the front desk.
- The Sound in the Sanctuary exhibit is equipped with a Spanish language translation.
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