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Living Coast Discovery Center

Part of Coronado & South Bay, our guide to Coronado, the South Bay and the bayfront.

The Living Coast Discovery Center, at 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive in Chula Vista, is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults 13 and over pay $22, children 3 to 12 pay $16, and children 2 and under are free. Tickets do not need to be bought ahead.Checked October 23, 2026.

$22adults 13+
$16children 3–12
Freechildren 2 and under
Wed–Sun10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A building at the Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista with a blue shade sail and animal habitats in front
The center in Chula Vista. Commons files this photo under the center's earlier name, the Chula Vista Nature Center. Janet Hudson, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Address1000 Gunpowder Point Dr., Chula Vista, CA 91910. Phone (619) 409-5900.
HoursOpen Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. No closures or holiday schedule were listed on the page.
AdmissionMembers free; adults (13+) $22; children (3–12) $16; children 2 and under free; students $19.80; seniors (65+) $19.80. Pre-purchased tickets are not required.
Kids FreeIn October 2026: one child 12 and under is free with one full-price adult ticket and a valid coupon, valid October 1 to 31, 2026, on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays only.

What You Will See

The center’s page highlights raptor, turtle, and shark and ray exhibits, along with conservation work and education programs on San Diego Bay.

Sweetwater Marsh

Entry to the Sweetwater Marsh unit of the wildlife refuge is by free shuttle from the Center. See Sweetwater Marsh Wildlife Refuge. The Center lists a guided Sweetwater Safari Hike on October 31, 2026; see the events page.

Living Coast Discovery Center Open the map. © OpenStreetMap contributors.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Shuttle days and times to Sweetwater Marsh were not read on the Center’s page.
  • The page links a list of discounts that we did not read.
  • Whether the Center was once called the Chula Vista Nature Center is not stated on its page, so we do not say.

More in Coronado & South Bay

FAQ

Do I need to buy tickets ahead?

The Center says pre-purchased tickets are not required.

Is there a kids-free offer?

Yes, in October 2026 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with a coupon and one full-price adult ticket. See the page for the coupon.

Sources

  1. Living Coast Discovery Center
  2. Admissions and tickets

Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.