Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Marine sanctuary off the coast of Northern California, US

The Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary covers 3,295 square miles off the northern and central California coast, from open ocean and nearshore tidal flats to rocky intertidal areas, estuarine wetlands, subtidal reefs and coastal beaches. It includes the Farallon Islands and adjoins Monterey Bay and Cordell Bank sanctuaries.

Congress passed the National Marine Sanctuaries Act in 1972, and the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary was designated on January 16, 1981, covering 1,279 square miles north and west of San Francisco Bay. In 2015 the sanctuary expanded to 3,295 square miles and took the name Greater Farallones. It also holds administrative jurisdiction over the northern part of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

The visitor center at Crissy Field in San Francisco teaches visitors about the marine animals that live offshore and how scientists watch over the ocean ecosystem. This is where you can learn about the connection between land and sea, and how local communities depend on healthy oceans.

Visit the center in San Francisco to learn more about the sanctuary and get information about boat tours that go out on the water. Spring through fall offers the best chance to see whales and other marine animals when they are most active in these waters.

The sanctuary holds one of the most significant white shark populations on the planet, and its waters also shelter over a quarter-million breeding seabirds and 36 marine mammal species, including one of the southernmost U.S. populations of threatened Steller sea lions.