History of Visitor Center

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center will invite the public to enjoy and learn about one of this nation’s most ecologically significant and stunning water bodies. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) envisions an interactive interpretive center highlighting the sanctuary’s extraordinary natural and cultural resources, the National Marine Sanctuary System and other NOAA programs, and the vital role citizens play as ocean stewards.

As directed by its 1992 Management Plan, the MBNMS has begun early planning for a public Visitor Center. The first step is to choose the best possible site from an array of attractive possibilities. There are several requirements for the sanctuary Visitor Center site, including high visitation and a location with a partner to join in the development of the facility. For a comprehensive list of criteria, as well as more details on the Visitor Center vision, see one of the publications below.

MBNMS has contracted with a team of consultants led by AMS Planning & Research of Petaluma, CA to conduct an objective and comparative feasibility study of four potential locations for the center. The team of consultants will study each of four sites to determine potential opportunities and constraints. Aspects such as visitor demographics and interests, socioeconomic impact, infrastructure requirements, estimated costs, geotechnical feasibility, and permit requirements will be included in the consultants’ final report.

As reports and planning documents are completed they will be added to this webpage.

• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center Site Feasibility Study, Phase I Report, 40 pages (March 2003) (PDF 424KB)
• Phase I Appendices, 100 pages (March 2003) (PDF 1MB)
• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center Site Feasibility Study, Phase II Report, 79 pages (July 2003) (PDF 2.1MB)
• Phase II Report Cover Memo, 2 pages (July 2003) (PDF 96KB)
• Phase II Geologic and Geotechnical Research Appendix, 45 pages (July 2003) (PDF 268KB)
• Phase II Toxic Hazards Research Appendix (July 2003)
  • Executive Summary, 11 pages (PDF 888KB)
  • Fun Spot Site Research, 118 pages (PDF 6.8MB)
  • Boardwalk Site Research, 61 pages (PDF 4.7MB)
  • Seaclif Site Research, 117 pages (PDF 7.5MB)
  • Monterey Site Research, 74 pages (PDF 4.5MB)
• Phase II Cultural Resources Research Appendix, 5 pages (July 2003)(PDF 60 KB)