California Academy of Sciences, California Coast Gallery

The Northern California Coast exhibit complements the California and Climate Change exhibit nearby. Visible from the main floor, a sandy flat and salt marsh remind us of the habitats, beauty, and services provided by San Francisco Bay. A level below, a floor-to-ceiling view into the ...more ↓

wooly sculpin

Clinocottus globiceps

Clinocottus globiceps is a species of fish in the family Cottidae commonly known as the Mosshead sculpin or Globe-headed sculpin.

Cucumaria miniata

Cucumaria miniata is commonly known as the orange sea cucumber due to its striking color. It its often found wedged in between rocks or crevices at the coast or on docks and can generally be identified by its orange bushy tentacles protruding above the substrate (Kozloff, 1993).

Pacific Sand Crab

Emerita analoga, the Pacific sand crab or Pacific mole crab, is a species of small, sand-burrowing decapod crustacean found living in the sand along the temperate western coasts of America. It is found on exposed sandy beaches in the swash region of the intertidal zone.

sargacero manchado

Gibbonsia elegans, the Spotted kelpfish, is a species of clinid native to subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean from central California, U.S.A. to southern Baja California, Mexico. It prefers subtidal rocky habitats with seaweed down to a depth of about 56 metres (184 ft). This species can reach a maximum length of 16 centimetres (6.3 in) TL. This species feeds on ...more ↓

sargacero rayado

Gibbonsia metzi, the Striped kelpfish, is a species of clinid native to the Pacific coast of North America from British Columbia, Canada, to Baja California, Mexico. It can be found in tide pools and in kelp beds down to a depth of about 9 metres (30 ft). This species can reach a maximum length of 24 centimetres (9.4 in) TL. The can also be found in the aquarium trade. ...more ↓

sargacero de Monterey

Gibbonsia montereyensis, the Crevice kelpfish, is a species of clinid found along the Pacific coast of North America from British Columbia, Canada, to Baja California, Mexico where it prefers areas close to the shore amongst algae. This species can reach a maximum length of 11 centimetres (4.3 in) TL. This species feeds primarily on polychaete worms.

Kelletia kelletii

Kelletia kelletii, common name Kellet's whelk, is a species of large sea snail, a whelk, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Buccinidae, the true whelks.

Parastichopus parvimensis

The Warty Sea Cucumber (Parastichopus parvimensis) is a Sea Cucumber that can be found from the Gulf of Alaska to southern California. It is found from the low intertidal zone to a depth of 250 m. They are most abundant in areas with moderate current with cobbles, boulders or bedrock.

Saddled Blenny

Hermit Crabs

Pagurus is a genus of hermit crabs in the family Paguridae. Like other hermit crabs, their abdomen is not calcified and they use snail shells as portable homes. These marine decapod crustaceans are omnivorous, but mostly prey on small animals and scavenge carrion. Trigonocheirus and Pagurixus used to be considered subgenera of Pagurus, but the former is ...more ↓

Giant Sea Star

The giant sea star, Pisaster giganteus is a species of sea star that lives along the western coast of North America from Southern California to British Columbia. It makes its home on rocky shores near the low tide mark. It preys on mollusks. It can grow as large as 24 in (61 cm) in diameter. Its color varies from brown to red or purple.

Ochre Sea Star

Pisaster ochraceus, generally known as the purple sea star, ochre sea star or ochre starfish, is a common starfish found among the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Identified as a keystone species, Pisaster is considered an important indicator for the health of the intertidal zone.