Annual Animals on the Bay Day Draws Big Crowds to Living Coast Discovery Center
It was a little cold and a little wet, but the community turned out strong for the Animals at the Bay Day, held this past Sunday, May 4th, at the Living Coast Discovery Center. Now in its second year, the annual event drew families from across the South Bay for a full day of nature, wildlife encounters, and community fun along our beautiful bayfront despite the weather.
A New Ticketing System That Worked
This year, organizers introduced a timed ticket system to help solve last year’s long shuttle lines. Guests selected an arrival time in advance, which helped streamline transportation from the designated parking lot to the Discovery Center. While some attendees were initially unsure how it would go, many agreed it was a huge improvement. One guest mentioned, “I was hesitant about the timed entry at first, but it made the whole experience smoother and less crowded.” Shuttle wait times were noticeably shorter, and everyone arrived with more time to enjoy the event rather than standing in line.
A Day for Families, Learning, and Wildlife at the Living Coast Discovery Center
The atmosphere was welcoming and educational, especially for families with kids eager to explore the environment. Staff members strolled through the grounds with snakes, birds, and other critters for close-up introductions.
Inside, interactive exhibits and tide pool touch tanks offered hands-on learning opportunities that kept the kids engaged. The tide pool was, as always, a huge hit—especially the newest stingray, Cannoli, who popped his head above water to greet guests. Kids were both thrilled and hesitant to pet him as he splashed around the exhibit.
A popular draw was the bald eagle exhibit, where guests could stand just feet away from this majestic bird—a rare and powerful experience. Outdoors, visitors could explore the walking trails overlooking the bay, stop at booths hosted by local environmental groups, and participate in collaborative art activities like coloring a massive mural of the San Diego Bay.
Food, Community, and Local Knowledge
The event wasn’t just about animals, food trucks served up local favorites including hot pozole, pizza, and fresh coffee. Vendors included My Pozole, Woodstock Pizza, Kayak Cafe, Mahalo Shaved Ice, and Simply Fresh SD, offering a flavorful mix of comfort food and refreshing treats. The community groups in attendance also played a big role, sharing ways to protect our environment and inviting residents to get involved. One attendee, Jessica from Chula Vista, was excited to learn that the front walking trails are free to explore year-round. “I’m definitely coming back this summer with the kids,” she said. “I didn’t realize how much we could do out here.”
She also discovered that the Discovery Center offers summer camps for children, allowing them to keep learning while school is out—a perfect local resource for Chula Vista families.
A Day Worth Sharing
The turnout was fantastic and proved once again how much this community values learning, nature, and quality family time. As always, the Living Coast Discovery Center staff were warm, welcoming, and eager to share their passion for wildlife and conservation.
If you attended, we’d love to hear your thoughts—how did you feel about the new timed ticket system? What were your favorite parts of the day?
Stay Connected
If you missed this year’s event, don’t worry—more events are coming soon, and you won’t want to miss them. Follow the Living Coast Discovery Center online and watch for upcoming experiences that bring our Chula Vista community together through nature, education, and a lot of fun.
