Crab Cove

Crab Cove, located at 1200 McKay Avenue in Alameda, California, is a park institution offering a variety of educational and recreational opportunities for visitors of all ages. The institution features the Doug Siden Visitor Center, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2019 and offers interactive exhibits showcasing the marine and shoreline life of San Francisco Bay. Visitors can explore an 800-gallon aquarium system, participate in hands-on activities, and learn about the importance of preserving the marine environment.

In addition to the Visitor Center, Crab Cove also offers a 2.5-mile Crown Memorial State Beach with sand dunes and a bicycle trail, perfect for swimming and cooling off during the summer months. The institution hosts naturalist-guided programs for school groups and other organized groups, as well as weekend programs for visitors to learn about Bay ecology and the local area.

Crab Cove is committed to environmental education and conservation, with a strong emphasis on the interdependence of marine and shore life. The institution is wheelchair accessible, with facilities such as Neptune and Crolls Garden reservable picnic areas, a rocky shoreline tide ramp, and accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. Beach wheelchairs are also available for free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visitors can learn about the history of the area, from California Indian settlements to the U.S. Maritime Service Officers School during World War II, through the "Memory Lane" self-guided trail. The institution is a Certified Green Business and features a California native plant garden that is an Advanced Certified Wildlife Habitat.

Whether you're interested in marine life, local history, or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the Bay Area, Crab Cove offers something for everyone. Visit Wednesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm (Mar-Oct) or 10am-4pm (Nov-Feb) to experience all that this unique park institution has to offer."