Nearly 25 years after Marineland was unceremoniously shut down by its new owners (who also happened to own San Diego's Sea World, and were looking to eliminate a competitor and take its killer whales -- read the 1987 Los Angeles Times piece here), Rancho Palos Verdes still mourns the loss of its signature attraction.
The Terranea resort, which opened in 2009, finally brought the old Marineland site back to life, after 20 years of neglect. But thousands of Angelenos still remember the sea life park -- opened in 1954, a year before Disneyland. And that's why the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, which is primarily focused on illustrating the peninsula's unique environment, has found much success with an exhibit dedicated toward Marineland.
The exhibit includes plenty of old Marineland memorabilia -- such as one of the killer whale statues that sat outside the park. (By the way, check out some old Marineland ads and videos from a Retro Friday post we did last February here.)
Located next to the Point Vicente lighthouse (built in 1926), the Point Vicente Interpretive Center is also a great location to do a bit of whale watching. Details:
The almost 10,000 square foot newly expanded Interpretive Center, re-opened on July 15, 2006, features exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the Peninsula, with a special emphasis on the Pacific gray whale. This premier whale watch site provides spectacular opportunities to view the annual migration of the Pacific gray whale, from December through April.Some pics from the center's Marineland exhibit, as well as the nearby lighthouse:
Point Vicente Interpretive Center
31501 Palos Verdes Drive West
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
(310) 377-5370
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