A Glimpse of the California Coast
Sea Lion Cove
Modeled after Point Lobos, California, Sea Lion Cove is one of the country’s most unique and beautiful sea lion exhibits. You’ll immediately be transported to the California Coast with the sound of crashing waves salty sea air, barking sea lions and harbor seals. Gaze in wonder at these amazing animals from four unique vantage points. At the nose-to-nose viewing window, get so close you could seemingly reach out and touch them! Watch them porpoise and play from above at the cliff overlook or take in an animal presentation at the store. Don’t forget to follow the coastal path down to the Pacific Point View — the 35-foot underwater viewing window where you can watch these amazing creatures glide gracefully beneath the water, performing playful acrobatics through the underwater archway.
Wheelchair Accessible
Sea Lion Cove Keeper Chats
Sea Lion (Sea Lion Cove Theater)
10:00 a.m.
Sea Lion (Sea Lion Cove Theater)
3:00 p.m.
Showing The Sea Lions
Some Cove
Since 1965, sea lions have been among the most popular of exhibit animals at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Our 2007 master plan called for a new, modern sea lion exhibit, one that would lead guests to appreciate the wonder of marine mammals and the California Coast, to learn and explore the natural history of this amazing area, and appreciate the importance of conserving this priceless resource. On August 27, 2012, after 11 months of construction, Fresno Chaffee Zoo opened Sea Lion Cove.
Since Sea Lion Cove’s grand opening in 2012, it has exceeded our goals in ways in which we couldn’t have imagined.
An Award Winning Exhibit
On September 16, 2014, Fresno Chaffee Zoo was presented with the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums Top Honor Exhibit Award for Sea Lion Cove. This is the highest honor the AZA gives to zoo and aquarium exhibits. This award is chosen by a committee of zoo professionals by AZA zoos and aquariums across the nation and recognizes excellence in the area of live animal display and exhibit design. Other zoos and aquariums competing for the same award included the San Diego Zoo, the Smithsonian, and Sea World. Fresno Chaffee Zoo CEO and Zoo Director said:
“We are excited and honored to have Sea Lion Cove receive the AZA 2014 Exhibit Award. After watching our guests’ reaction to Sea Lion Cove, we knew it was a success for Fresno County but to get national recognition from our colleagues reaffirms that, with the great support from our community, Fresno is creating one of the best zoos in the country. And we have our community to thank; without Measure Z, Sea Lion Cove would not have been possible.
Sea Lion Cove is not only a wonderful exhibit for the animals, but its also a great example of the Zoo’s eco-friendly goals. The green features of Sea Lion Cove include solar panels, water conserving irrigation and an efficient life support filtration system which includes a constructed wetlands area. The water from the exhibit pool passes through the wetlands for bio-filtration before returning to the life support system.
Up-Close
Adventures
Make your visit one to remember forever. Up-Close Adventures take guests one step closer to the animals at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, giving guests a special, unforgettable experience.
Check out our Up-Close Adventure featuring animals from Sea Lion Cove, Fun With Flippers.
