Coastal Discovery Center at San Simeon Bay Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Welcome to The Sanctuary! The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is a Federally protected marine area offshore of California's central coast. Stretching from Marin to Cambria, it encompasses a shoreline length of 276 miles and 5,322 square miles of ocean. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the purpose of resource protection, research, education, and public use of this diverse and productive ecosystem. Find out more by visiting our website at http://montereybay.noaa.gov Welcome to California State Parks! California State Parks make up the most diverse natural and cultural state park system in the nation. Over 1.5 million acres of land are managed by the State Parks system, including scenic areas, trails, campgrounds, and recreation areas. Find out more by visiting our website at www.parks.ca.gov. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and California State Parks cooperatively operate the Coastal Discovery Center at San Simeon Bay. The building also houses the San Simeon Office of the MBNMS as well as state parks ecologists and interpreters. State Parks docents staff the facility. The Center’s primary function is interpretation, education and outreach about natural and cultural resources in coastal California. Information about local contacts for activities, food and lodging is also available. The Coastal Discovery Center at San Simeon Bay is located at the beautiful and historic Hearst Memorial State Beach, in San Simeon State Park. The park includes picnic areas, a pier, a broad sand beach, plentiful parking and restroom's. Recreational activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, surfing, beachcombing, bird watching and whale watching. Come visit us at this beautiful park,connecting land and sea. For more information about Hearst Memorial State Beach, click here. "The interface of land and sea is unique, drawing people for its rich bounty, economic opportunity, recreation and inspiration. Protection of these special places preserves them for use and enjoyment for generations to come."                              –Mission Statement, Interpretive Planning Team San Simeon Point and the cove at San Simeon Bay have a rich history of human use, including habitation by local tribes of American Indians, a whaling station at San Simeon Point, and use of the cove as a harbor for import and export, commercial and recreational fishing and other activities including yachting, kayaking, surfing, and diving. The historic Sebastian’s General Store (est. 1874), and a historic post office are located nearby. The Piedras Blancas Light Station, established as an aid to navigation in 1875, is located 8 miles to the north. Despite its rich cultural and natural history, no interpretive facility currently exists, other than Hearst Castle itself, to inform the public of the historic, cultural and natural history of the San Simeon area. Recreation Both MBNMS and State Parks encourage recreational use and public enjoyment of parks and sanctuaries. Recreational activities are encouraged along with strong messages about stewardship and responsible wildlife viewing   Maritime Heritage Both agencies are dedicated to protection of cultural resources. Human uses of the land and maritime resources are highlighted in the exhibits.