Pay Attention to the Details

"She was mesmerized," wrote my daughter about her 7 month old at Sea Lion Cove.  This is common experience among zoo patrons, whether infants, teens or adults.  Sea Lion Cove is a magnificent exhibit.  But it took $9 million to construct that exhibit.  What a great example of "If you are going to do it, do it right!"

Have you noticed the details at Sea Lion Cove?  Start at the entrance.  You walk on gravel, not dissimilar to the sand you walk on at the beach.  The vegetation also matches what you might see on the coast.  Shut your eyes and listen.

What do you hear?  A sound system plays the sounds of the waves crashing on the land.  As you walk around the exhibit toward the tall Sequoia trees,  listen to the sounds change to match the forest environment.

There are at least 4 vantage points around Sea Lion Cove.  Have you noticed that when you are at one of them you don't see the people at the other vantage points?  This is a very deliberate design feature.  The architect wanted you to feel like you were alone in nature.  It makes a difference when you are looking out over the blue water whether you see other patrons looking at you or whether you see nothing but the animals and their environment.

On the backside of the exhibit you will visit a spot where you can be nose to nose with with the sea lions and seals.  Did you know that the rocks on the animals' side of the window is heated?  This is to encourage the animals to bask on the rock on cooler days next to you.

Did you notice the rocks and the sea life on those rocks?  Artists from Disney spent months forming, shaping, sculpting and painting those rocks.

And of course There is a 35-foot window,  8 inches think and without a seam, that provides a wonderful underwater view, complete with seaweed.

Behind the scenes are the water filters and solar panels generating green power.

Sea Lion Cove is a marvelous exhibit.  It takes the patron to California's wild central coast without the drive.  Yes, it took a lot of money.  But isn't it worth it .  It's mesmerizing.