From wave-battered cliffs in the north to sunlit coves in the south, California holds an entire world of wild places. Whales breach offshore, sea otters drift through kelp forests, and redwoods tower over misted valleys. Inland, granite peaks rise into snow for much of the year, giving way to desert canyons and hidden oases. Few places pack this much variety into a single state.
A California-based sustainable materials company developing compostable seaweed-based packaging designed to replace single-use plastics. By creating alternatives sourced from regenerative ocean farming, Sway reduces plastic pollution at its origin while supporting marine ecosystems and coastal economies. Their work bridges innovative design with measurable conservation impact.
One of the largest marine sanctuaries in the United States, protecting 6,094 square miles of ocean along California’s central coast. The sanctuary is a hotspot for biodiversity, home to kelp forests, whales, sea otters, and seabirds. Their work combines habitat protection, marine research, education, and community engagement to safeguard this ecologically rich coastline.
A federally protected marine area encompassing the waters around the Channel Islands. Known for its giant kelp forests, marine mammals, and nesting seabirds, the sanctuary manages human activity to ensure the long-term health of its ecosystems. Research, education, and resource protection are central to its mission.
An award-winning collaborative program that protects endangered whales and improves air quality by incentivizing commercial ships to slow down in key migratory routes. This voluntary initiative reduces ship strikes and lowers harmful emissions, making California’s shipping lanes safer for marine life and cleaner for coastal communities.
The Indigenous peoples of California’s central coast, with deep cultural and spiritual ties to the ocean and Channel Islands. The Chumash are actively engaged in marine conservation, cultural heritage preservation, and co-management of marine protected areas, blending traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation practices.
An immersive outdoor education center offering marine science programs for youth on Catalina Island. Students explore the island’s kelp forests, tidepools, and marine life through hands-on activities, building environmental literacy and a lifelong connection to the ocean.
A research center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, developing science-based solutions for marine conservation. Their projects address pressing issues such as climate resilience, ocean pollution, and species protection, often in collaboration with policymakers and local communities.
A world-renowned ocean research institution based in San Diego, advancing knowledge of the ocean, Earth, and climate. Their multidisciplinary work includes marine biology, physical oceanography, and climate science, providing data and insights that shape global conservation efforts.
A research group within UCSB’s Marine Science Institute studying the ecology of nearshore ecosystems, with a focus on fish populations, kelp forests, and the effectiveness of marine protected areas. Their work informs fisheries management and conservation policy.
At California’s southern edge, San Diego is where warm beaches meet some of the state’s richest marine life. Sea lions sprawl on rocky outcrops, dolphins ride the surf, and migrating gray whales pass within sight of shore. Just offshore, La Jolla’s kelp forests offer some of the best diving and snorkeling in the state, where leopard sharks by the dozens hide in shallows and seals have the tendency to approach with deep curiosity.
Twenty-two miles from the mainland, Catalina Island feels like a different world. Its clear waters are home to schools of fish, bright orange Garibaldi (California’s state treasure), and the shadow of sea lions passing through the giant kelp. Inland trails wind through rugged hills where island foxes roam and ocean views stretch in every direction. And if you’re lucky, you’ll spot the resident bison that roam the island—a wild legacy of a bygone film shoot that has since become part of Catalina’s story.
Backed by mountains, Santa Barbara blends coastal charm with wild abundance. Offshore waters brim with whales, super pods of dolphins, and seals, while seabirds wheel overhead. Inland, canyons and forest trails lead to hidden waterfalls and sweeping views of the Pacific. It’s also the gateway to one of America’s best-kept secrets—the Channel Islands—where rugged cliffs, kelp forests, and endemic wildlife feel a world away from the mainland.
Monterey sits on the edge of a marine sanctuary where some of the Pacific’s most dramatic encounters happen daily. Sea otters raft together, whales feed just offshore, and diving into the dense kelp forest feels like stepping into another world. But the same wild beauty that draws divers also brings danger—the cold, surging waters and unpredictable surf make Monterey’s shore dives among the most challenging in the country.
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