Group Visits
Coming with a big group? Give us a heads up! We’ll help you customize a self-guided experience with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Coming with a school group? Head over to School Programs.
If your preferred date or time does not appear available, please email visitseymour@ucsc.edu. We may be able to accommodate additional groups on a case-by-case basis.
Book self-guided group visitYounger Lagoon Reserve Tours
This 90-minute, behind-the-scenes hiking tour takes visitors into Younger Lagoon Reserve adjacent to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Part of the University of California Natural Reserve System, Younger Lagoon Reserve contains diverse coastal habitats and is home to birds of prey, migrating sea birds, bobcats, and other wildlife. Come and see what scientists are doing to track local mammals, restore native habitat, and learn about the workings of one of California’s rare coastal lagoons. A tour is offered on selected Thursdays and Saturdays of each month beginning at 10:30 AM.
Younger Lagoon Reserve tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Tours are best suited for children 10 years of age and older. Participants must be physically able to walk up and down steep inclines. Water and weather protection is strongly suggested.
Behind the Scenes Research Tour
Returning autumn 2022, join our skilled guides on a 30-minute daily tour around the Seymour Marine Discovery Center and parts of Long Marine Laboratory. Come face-to-face with our blue whale skeleton and travel behind the scenes to an overlook where you will see where and how marine mammal research happens at UC Santa Cruz. Subscribe to the mailing list, below, to hear first when these tours are back.