World-class Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California celebrates World Ocean Month through a variety of activities including the release of sea lions in partnership with the Marine Mammal Care Center. Terranea Resort is a 102-acre property located above coastal bluffs facing the Pacific Ocean. It is a 30-minute drive from downtown Los Angeles, giving it enough proximity to vibrant city life, while also providing a serene Mediterranean feel. 

The Tresort was developed on the commitment of sustainability as 75% of its property remains a green space and sanctuary for indigenous species like the El Segundo Blue Butterfly. Originally built on the same land area as what was known as Marineland of the Pacific, Terranea Resort was developed on the premise of both an amusement park and a rehabilitation center for marine mammals.

Through preserving land for wildlife, the resort wanted to partner with three nonprofits that support the land, sea, and animals that surround its property. One of these organizations is the Marine Mammal Care Center (MMCC). The MMCC and Terranea Resort are in their 12th year of partnership and they have worked together since the resort’s inception in 2009. This year for World Ocean Day, the MMCC and Terranea Resort released two sea lions that were in rehabilitation back into the ocean. 

“In 1992, Marine Mammal Care Center was founded and continued Marineland’s legacy of rehabilitating and releasing animals back to their ocean home,” says Lauren Bergloff, the Green Team and Sustainability Leader at Terranea Resort. “MMCC also promotes the ocean conservation through education, research, and partnerships. Our Terranea guests, as well as MMCC supporters, both value ocean stewardship, wildlife conservation, and sustainability.”

The MMCC Los Angeles is a nonprofit hospital for seals and sea lions living along over 70 miles of coastline from Malibu to Seal Beach. The MMCC treats sea lions that are found with illness, malnutrition or injury. Since 1992, the MMCC’s goal is to rehabilitate and release sea lions back into their home. They also use education, research, and partnerships to promote ocean conservation.

The sea lions were male patients at the Marine Mammal Care Center. According to Patch.com, the sea lions were rehabilitated and released after being found stranded in the South Bay. They were released on May 28 prior to World Ocean Day, which is June 5. 

However, the release of rehabilitated sea lions from Terranea Resort and MMCC has been happening since 2017. Releases were still done in 2020 and this year, but unlike previous years, guests weren’t allowed to attend due to COVID-19. However, Terranea’s commitment to protecting wildlife is always intact. 

“The sea lion release is a great way for Terranea to spread awareness and tell the story of our rich history in sustainability,” says Bergloff. “Even before Terranea was here, marine mammals were being saved and rescued on this land. World Ocean Day is a day to showcase our relationship with MMCC and encourage and educate the community on how to support our oceans.”

In addition to the sea lion release, Terranea Resort held a variety of activities and incorporated ways to celebrate World Ocean Month throughout guests’ stays in June. Along with partnerships with the organizations Art to Grow On, ONEHOPE Wine, and Gray Whale Gin, the hotel came up with unique activities on their property.

The activities that took place for World Ocean Day were held on June 5. These included: a sea harvest workshop, kelp forest cleanup kayak tour (one with a marine biologist, one without), a seashell beach frame art project, a Gray Whale Gin art pop-up, and educational activities with Terranea’s Green Team.

When booking a stay during the month of June at Terranea, guests were invited to donate to the MMCC. In addition, anyone who stayed during the month could experience a self-guided nature walk, a self-guided scavenger hunt, and purchase a Captain Gray Whale cookie kit. 

The month’s programming embodied all aspects of the hotel. Bergloff explains that the Sea Harvest workshop took place with their executive chef for an intimate sea salt and kelp tasting, which was paired with farmed produce signature crafted bites and ONEHOPE Wine. Terranea’s Sea Salt Conservatory is also used to produce the resort’s own signature sea salt using local sea water from the Pacific Ocean and to cure locally grown and foraged kelp.

Dave Bader, a marine biologist and chief operations and education officer of the MMCC, also partnered with Terranea Resort to create the first Kelp Forest Kayak Tour with a Marine Biologist. The experience guided guests along the California coastline while Bader provided his knowledge on endangered cetaceans and local marine life. Portions of the proceeds from the tour went to the MMCC. 

“The partnership with Marine Mammal Care Center continues our deep heritage and tradition of Marineland and sustainability,” says Bergloff. “Terranea is dedicated to protecting the valuable coastal resources that define the Palos Verdes Peninsula and make this singular destination one of the most valued natural locations in the world. Since its inception, Terranea has remained committed to minimizing its environmental footprint by integrating transparent eco-friendly practices throughout the resort, including—but not limited to—those that protect open space, improve wildlife habitats, and enhance local water quality.”

However, Terranea Resort has events happening all year. September is Coastal Cleanup Month and the resort teamed up with Heal the Bay, an environmental nonprofit organization dedicated to making coastal waters and watersheds healthier in the Greater Los Angeles Area. All are welcome to help clean up along the beach.

 In October, Terranea will be going pink for the 7th year in a row for breast cancer awareness. A portion of proceeds from activities like ocean front adventures, spa treatments as well as dining and specialty cocktails will be donated to Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 

You can also book adventures exploring the earth, water and more any time on Terranea’s website. Follow them on instagram @terranearesort

Terranea Resort is located at 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

[Photos courtesy of Terranea Resort]

Holly is a college broadcast and print journalism major at DePaul University. She is originally from New York City, but has lived in Chicago and is now based in Los Angeles. Currently, Holly works as an Editorial Intern at The Argonaut, where she serves its communities by writing articles on business features, special events, health and wellness, food spotlights, amongst other topics. She’s also a Staff Writer at her university’s newspaper, The DePaulia, and served as a news director at their award-winning radio station, Radio DePaul. Holly has written on a plethora of topics but her favorites are global events, travel, and health & wellness. When she’s not writing, she enjoys swimming, hiking, exploring, and reading. She’s also fluent in French. Follow her on Instagram @holly_jenvey