Cathy Hendrie
PassPort to San Diego

Come face-to-face with with moray eels, an American bald eagle, sea turtles and many more fascinating animal residents at The Living Coast Discovery Center, just six miles south of downtown San Diego.

The center’s “living, breathing, flapping, buzzing, and splashing home” sits on the 316-acre San Diego National Wildlife Refuge on Sweetwater Marsh, the ideal location for exploration of the region’s most memorable wildlife in their native habitats.

Get close to rays as an interactive touch pool puts the aquatic creatures beneath your fingertips. Other experiences include bird-watching platforms and native-plant gardens attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. The Center also offers 1.5 miles of walking trails, nature day camps for kids and teens, overnight adventures, scouting programs, kayak tours of San Diego Bay, private birthday parties and much more.

Not to be missed is the Center’s annual summer “Farm to Bay” fundraiser, which invites guests to learn about the local sustainable food community and sample from dozens of San Diego’s top restaurants, farms, wineries and craft breweries. The Living Coast Discovery Center is open year-round at 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive in Chula Vista. Call (619) 409-5900 or visit http://www.thelivingcoast.org.