08/14/2026
BODEGA BAY, CA – Sea Otter Savvy and Sonoma County District 5 invite the public to Sea Otters Were Here, a free, family-friendly coastal ecology pop-up at Doran Beach on Saturday, September 12, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Once numbering in the tens of thousands, sea otters were nearly wiped out by the fur trade of the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, their population remains confined to Central California, leaving northern California’s coast without this keystone species. Sea otters play a vital role in coastal biodiversity—by preying on sea urchins and other grazers, they help kelp forests and seagrass meadows thrive, supporting a rich web of marine life.
The event will feature interactive booths from local science organizations, businesses, and community groups including Sea Otter Savvy, The Marine Mammal Center, Marine Conservation Institute, Defenders of Wildlife, local fishermen and more. Visitors will learn about the history of sea otters in northern California and their connection to resilient coastal ecosystems. Sea Otter Savvy is asking for public input on sea otter recovery in the form of an online survey.
A highlight of the day will be the Sea Otter Sand Castle Competition from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM—fun for creative beachgoers of all ages.
When: Saturday, September 12, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Sea Otter Mural at Doran Beach, 201 Doran Beach Rd., Bodega Bay, CA
Cost: Free (Note: $7 Parking Fee) | Family-Friendly
Sonoma County, California Sonoma County Regional Parks Defenders of Wildlife The Marine Mammal Center Wildlife Conservation Network Kashia Department of Environmental Planning & Natural Resources Marine Conservation Institute River Otter Ecology Project TIRN UC Davis Marine Science White Abalone Sonoma Land Trust CA Native Plant Society Coastal Ecology & Conservation Russian Riverkeeper
