The Greater Farallones Association offers classes, excursions and special events. There is something for everyone! Return to this page frequently to see the latest event schedule.
Public Programs
Family Workshops
Dive deeper into ocean science as a family at our Sanctuary Visitor Center Family Workshops. Led by our team of marine science educators, these weekend workshops are perfect for 4–10 year old budding marine biologists and their families.
OCTOLAB Get Into Your Sanctuary Special Workshop
Saturday, August 3rd
10am or 1pm
Greater Farallones Visitor Center, 991 Marine Drive, San Francisco
Join us for Octo Lab! Participants will discover one of the ocean’s most intelligent invertebrates – the octopus! Teams will measure, weigh, study, touch, examine, and squish their way through the lab using their own defrosted octopus specimen Participants will also get to compare octopus to their closest relatives – squid and cuttlefish! As the grand finale, we will create octopus stop motion videos as well as octopus prints for you to take home as keepsakes.
COST: $15 per participant (example: 1 parent + 2 children = $45)
To sign up, email jalupay@farallones.org.
Wonderful Whales
Sunday, August 11th
10am or 1pm
Greater Farallones Visitor Center, 991 Marine Drive, San Francisco
Weighing in at 300,000 pounds and 100 ft long, the Blue whale takes the gold for being the largest animal. Utilizing Crissy Beach and our pier building, participants will begin to understand how this magnificent creature survives in our ocean. This class will help you visualize the feeding habits, behaviors, and current threats to whales in our sanctuary through interactive games, videos, and hands-on demonstrations, culminating in a mini-beach clean-up.
Sanctuary Explorations
The Sanctuary Explorations Series provides monthly opportunities for you to connect with, and experience, the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
Farallon Islands & Whale Watching
Sunday, August 4, 2019 | 7:30am-4:00pm
San Francisco, CA
Get into your sanctuary with Greater Farallones naturalists and the Oceanic Society for a day-long adventure into the waters of the sanctuary. Traveling under the Golden Gate Bridge we will journey 27 miles offshore to the intriguing Farallon Islands and, seas permitting, beyond! While underway we will search for humpback and blue whales, seabirds such as the Tufted Puffin and Common Murre, seals, sea lions, porpoises, jellies and other ocean wildlife!
COST: $135/person. Ages 10+; adults must accompany minors.
Space is limited. Registration required!
To sign up, email sheintzelman@farallones.org.
NEW! Free Wednesday Wildlife Walks
Beach-to-Bridge Golden Gate Exploration
Every Wednesday June 19th – September 25th
9-10am and 4-5pm
Greater Farallones Visitor Center, 991 Marine Drive, San Francisco
Join a Greater Farallones Sanctuary marine biologist for an hour of beachcombing, birding and sauntering from the west side of Crissy Field to the Golden Gate Bridge. Learn about the sea life within the bay and beyond the bridge while scanning the area with binoculars.
Rain, fog or shine, meet in front of the Farallones Visitor Center at the blue picnic tables! Walks are about 1-hour in length. Dress warm and wear comfortable shoes.
For more information, email GregMcCormack at gmccormack@farallones.org.
Special Events
Sharktoberfest
Saturday, September 28, 2019
11am – 4pm
Greater Farallones Visitor Center, 991 Marine Drive, San Francisco
Join us in celebrating the annual return of the white sharks to the Gulf of the Farallones! Enjoy shark science, shark experts, shark art, shark films, shark conservation, food, wine/beer, and live music!
Art & Science Soirées
Art & Science Soirées are fantastic events for adults to hear from world-renowned scientists. Enjoy complimentary wine or beer, create your own artwork, and learn about the amazing wildlife in the Sanctuary.