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1. Home
2. Ocean
3. Sanctuaries
4. Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries

**Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries** Where world-class wildlife watching awaits you  Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary*Visitors look out at California's historic Point Arena Lighthouse, which sits near the new northern boundary of the expanded Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.* In March 2015, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries announced that Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS) on the central California coast would double to more than twice their original size. The expanded sanctuary boundaries comprise one of the most productive upwelling zones in North America, where cold water rises from the depths, bringing nutrients and microscopic sea life to the surface. The process supports a wide array of wildlife, including 25 endangered or threatened species, 36 marine mammal species, more than one-quarter million seabirds, endangered blue and humpback whales, and a significant population of white sharks. In addition to protecting important Pacific wildlife and marine ecosystems, the two sanctuaries support people’s connections to the sea, including commercial and recreational fisheries, recreational and cultural activities, seafaring traditions, and maritime heritage resources like historic shipwrecks and lighthouses.   Visiting Your Sanctuaries Greater Farallones Planning a trip to the San Francisco Bay Area this summer? You can: ***Take a day trip to the visitor center***,  located  in a historic U.S. Coast Guard station at the mouth of San Francisco Bay. After  learning about the sanctuary’s wildlife and conservation work, a sandy beach  with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge awaits you.
            
			
			***View the sanctuary’s marine life in a three-story tank***, part of a permanent  exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences in  Golden Gate Park. Check out sanctuary sharks and other species at the Aquarium of  the Bay, located at historic Fisherman’s Wharf.

			***Hike along the area’s picturesque Pacific beaches and explore rocky shores for intertidal creatures, or venture offshore in search of whales and seabirds***. 
              The sheltered waters of Tomales Bay or Bolinas Lagoon beckon you for paddling and  world-class birding. These are among the activities offered in the sanctuary’s  monthly excursions. The  sanctuary also offers many opportunities for fishing and other recreational  pursuits, and a wealth of teacher trainings, public  workshops, and school  programs. Cordell Bank Cordell Bank NMS is located entirely offshore, its southern boundary 42 miles north of San Francisco and its eastern boundary six miles from shore. The sanctuary’s permanent  exhibit, located at the Oakland Museum of California, gives visitors a  rich perspective on Cordell Bank's wildlife, ecosystems, and conservation  efforts. Cordell  Bank is a birders’ paradise and a unique wildlife watching destination year-round, although late summer and early  fall tend to be the best times of year for excursions due to typically better  sea conditions. Private vessels will enjoy the opportunity to view seabirds  from around the Pacific that are drawn by the area’s swiftly changing  oceanographic conditions, as well as marine mammals, such as humpback and blue  whales, who come to sanctuary waters to feed. Fishing in the sanctuary must follow all State of California and federal fishery regulations. Visitors  who want a personal introduction to the offshore wildlife can register for an  annual field seminar led by  sanctuary staff each August.
 Sanctuary **Series** As a travel destination, few places on the planet can compete with the diversity of the National Marine Sanctuary System. This article is part of an ongoing series to highlight what you can see and do at some of our most iconic natural and cultural marine resources. Check out our other sanctuary stories: Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary   Get **Social** Social
 **Last updated:** 09/03/23 **Author:** NOAA How to cite this article Contact Us


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