See and Do!
Crab Cove Visitor Center
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About The Visitor Center
Crab Cove Visitor Center at Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda features all new exhibits opened in April 2004. You can see bay creatures in the 800-gallon aquarium system, use interactive stations for varying age groups to view microscopic animals, build a crab from the inside out, or get a lug worm's view of the mudflats. You'll see amazing depictions of the underwater world of San Francisco Bay. At the Visitor Center you can also plunge into San Francisco Bay without getting wet, or travel back in time to Alameda's colorful past.
These entertaining educational opportunities all have a serious purpose--to increase public understanding of the environmental importance of San Francisco Bay. There is strong emphasis on the interdependence of marine life and shore life and on the urgency of preserving the marine and estuarine environment.
Dedicated to interpreting relationships between people and the earth's marine environment, this center attracts visitors from all over the Bay Area.
A focal point for this educational effort is the Visitor Center's Old Wharf Classroom. There, in a picturesque setting, youngsters and adults alike can learn about such topics as shoreline wildlife and the food chains that sustain all living creatures.
The waterless plunge takes the form of a display case showing a cross-section of bay, with lifelike models of shoreline and underwater animals. Adjacent rooms contain an aquarium and lots of interactive exhibits.
Education continues just outside the center, where the Crab Cove Marine Protected Area, at the foot of McKay Avenue, was designated the first California estuarine marine reserve. Its mud flat and rocky shore area are an important wildlife habitat. A special ramp allows wheelchair users to explore the tidepools at low tide. Collecting or disturbing creatures in this protected area is forbidden, thus preserving a unique shoreline environment for study and education.
Naturalist-guided programs for school groups and other organized groups are available Wednesday through Friday by advance reservation. See the Field Trips page for details or call visitor center at (510) 521-6887. Weekend programs provide exciting opportunities for you to learn about Bay ecology and the local area; download our monthly program guide to see a list of upcoming activities. Back to top
History
Up until the late 1930s, the area now occupied by the visitor center was part of a thriving resort community featuring bathing spas and an amusement park. Later, during and just after World War II, it was the site of the U.S. Maritime Service Officers School, a training base for Merchant Marine commanders. What is now the visitor center building was the base infirmary. Back to top
Accessibility
The visitor center is wheelchair accessible. Back to top
To Reach The Visitor Center
From Cities to the North, take I-80 West to I-880 South and take the Broadway exit. Turn right at the light onto 5th Street. Stay on 5th Street following the signs to Alameda. Go through the Webster Street Tunnel (Tube) to Alameda. See in Alameda below.
From Cities to the South, take I-880 North. Exit at Broadway in Oakland. Turn right on Broadway, right on 7th Street, and right on Webster. Go through the Webster Street Tunnel (Tube) to Alameda. See in Alameda below.
From Walnut Creek, take Highway 24 West to I-980, towards downtown Oakland. Exit at 12th/11th Streets. Continue on Brush Street to 5th Street. Turn left on 5th Street and stay in the left lanes, following the signs to Alameda. Go through the Webster Street Tunnel (Tube) to Alameda. See in Alameda below.
In Alameda, continue on Webster Street across town. Turn right on Central Ave., go one block, and turn left onto McKay Ave. (at Foster's Freeze). Crab Cove is at the end of McKay on the left.
Click here for public transit information. Back to top
Map
Visitor Center Info
- Address
- 1252 McKay Ave.
Alameda, CA 94501 - Phone Numbers
- 510-521-6887
- Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4520
- Local Weather
- Maps
- View Map
- Yahoo Map
- Visitor Center Hours
- Wednesdays-Sundays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Park Events
- Click here for upcoming events
- Parking Fee
- $5 per vehicle when kiosk is attended; $4 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25/per bus.
- Naturalist Programs
- 510-521-6887
- Browse programs online
- Download program guide
- For Educators
- Plan a field trip to this park
- Emergency Number
- 911
- EBRPD Headquarters
- 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757
- See Also
- Crown Beach