Things to Do Before or After the Conference!

• Special free admission opportunities for NMEA Conference attendees!
  Dates vary by institution

  • Aquarium of the Bay, San Francisco
    Sunday, June 28 or Friday, July 3
    
    Aquarium of the Bay is a unique nature center dedicated to creating experiences that inspire conservation of the San Francisco Bay and all marine environments.  It is the only aquarium featuring exhibits focused specifically on the rich and diverse aquatic life and distinctive ecosystems of the Bay and its nearby waters.  With more than 20,000 aquatic animals, there is always something new to see, touch, discover and learn at the Aquarium.
    
    The Aquarium is brimming with excitement over three new exhibits, opening on April 4: a Jellies exhibit featuring Brown Sea Nettles and Moon Jellies; a Giant Pacific Octopus exhibit, and PG&E Bay Lab, an interactive climate change exhibit featuring land-dwelling animals, for the first time in the Aquarium’s history.  Aquarium of the Bay is easily accessible by public transportation.
    
    All NMEA conference attendees are welcome – just show proof of attendance.  If you have questions about your visit to the Aquarium, please contact Emily Tozzi, Education & Conservation Manager at emilyt@aquariumofthebay.com
    
    Learn more by visiting www.aquariumofthebay.com or calling 888-SEA-DIVE.
     

  • Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley
    Monday, June 22 - Sunday, July 5
    
    The Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) is the public science center of the University of California, Berkeley and an innovative leader in the field of science and mathematics education.  Presenting your NMEA conference badge or membership card between June 22nd and July 5th will get you into the hands-on science museum for free.  Explore our Animal Grossology exhibit or play with our new Science on a Sphere, featuring all sorts of exciting ocean data.  LHS is located in the scenic Berkeley hills, just 45 minutes east of San Francisco International Airport.  Please note that there is limited public transportation to our site, although it is easily accessed by car.  For more information, please contact Emily Weiss at weisse@berkeley.edu or 510-642-5008. 
     

  • The New Marine Mammal Center, Marin Headlands
    Sunday, June 28 at 1:00 p.m. or Friday, July 3 at 1:00 p.m.
    
    Since 1975 the Marine Mammal Center has been rescuing and rehabilitating sick and injured marine mammals.  This June we will be reopening our new modernized facility to the public.  Join us in a special behind-the-scenes tour and program for NMEA conference attendees to observe our seal and sea lion patients in the new facility and tour the labs and classroom to see our staff and volunteers in action.  Learn about the local marine mammals that we care for and explore our extensive specimen collection.  We are located in the beautiful Marin Headlands, just 45 minutes north of San Francisco International Airport.  Note that there is limited public transportation to our site and it is best to travel by car.
    
    If you are interested in learning more or in signing up for this special opportunity, please contact us by phone (415) 289-7330 or email saabagd@tmmc.org.
     

  • California Academy of Science, San Francisco  
    Friday, June 26 - Tuesday, June 30
    
    California Academy of Sciences welcomes NMEA attendees to visit our newly redesigned facility in Golden Gate Park.  Admission is free for one participant with a NMEA badge or copy of registration receipt.  We do anticipate high attendance and we may face capacity challenges especially mid-day.

• Optional field trips
  Friday, July 3
  
  Optional field trips to a variety of sites are available on Friday.  Additional fees apply, but busing and box lunches will be included.  You must pre-register on the conference registration form.

  • Monterey Peninsula Bicycle Tour
  • The Wine Trolley
  • Return of the Natives Restoration Event and Tour
  • Point Lobos Guided Hike
  • Elkhorn Slough Kayak Trip
  • Sailing on the Bay
  • SCUBA Charter
  • Tall Ship Sail
  • Monterey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

Click here for complete details

• Other things to do on the Monterey Peninsula before or after the conference?
  There are too many to list!  They range from all the outdoor activities we’ve noted on our optional Field Trip page (hiking, biking, kayaking, scuba diving, wine tasting) to a day spent golfing or exploring Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf or Monterey’s path of history.
  
  The weekend after the conference is the California Summer Music Festival in Pebble Beach (July 4-27) and the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix MotoGP World Championship at Laguna Seca Raceway (July 3-5). 

Here are some links you might find helpful: