Santa Cruz, California: Blue Whale Skeleton

Outside the Discovery Center, there's a complete, reconstructed 87-ft long blue whale skeleton from a carcass washed up on a nearby beach. Nicknamed "Ms. Blue."

Seymour Marine Discovery Center

Address:: 100 Shaffer Rd, Santa Cruz, CA
Directions:: Seymour Marine Discovery Center, west of Santa Cruz. US Hwy 1 west to Swift St. south, then right on Delaware Ave to McCallister Way and Center entrance.
Phone:: 831-459-3800
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

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Visitor Tips and News About Blue Whale Skeleton

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Blue Whale Skeleton

The address threw us for a loop and we almost missed it. Enter at the college sign and drive to the stop sign and turn left in front of the marine museum. She's been through a lot (weather) and is worn out, poor gal.

[Rose Howe, 07/01/2023]

Whale skeleton.

Blue Whale Skeleton

Access is not by car unless you have an electronic pass. You can walk past their gate and follow the sidewalk to this skeleton and a smaller one from a gray whale.

[Mark J. Besso, 01/06/2017]

Blue whale skeleton.

Blue Whale Skeleton

This female blue whale was 87-ft long when she washed up dead on a beach about 30 miles north in 1979. Scientists from the Long Marine Lab quickly stripped the flesh and disassembled the bones. The whale skeleton was reconstructed -- a few bones lost in the tide or nabbed by souvenir collectors, but pretty much all here.

The whale is displayed outdoors, next to the parking lot of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. We're accustomed to seeing parking lot dinosaur skeletons (fake!), but this skeleton whale is huge, and authentic.

[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 04/28/2011]