A landmark in the quaint Santa Cruz neighborhood of Seabright has received a much-needed renovation. Originally created by local boat builder Al Hipkins in 1982, the Gray Whale statue greets visitors outside the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, the oldest museum in the city. Lifelike and full size, the project included the addition of a companion baby whale. 

Using state-of-the-art materials to restore the sculpture’s lifelike appearance while improving its long-term durability, the eight-week restoration project was fully funded by donors. The whales serve multiple purposes: playground, educational and point-of-interest. Located across from Seabright State Beach, the sculpture is endemic to both the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and to locals. The sculpture was originally hollow but eventually filled with concrete for safety and structural integrity. When the whale was filled, 16 yards of concrete were added – estimated to be 32 tons. Grey whales weigh between 30 to 40 tons, so the statue is approximately the same weight as a real whale.  

The museum utilized Nautilus Arts Studio for the renovation, which specializes in scientifically accurate statues and models, including work for the San Francisco Zoo and the iconic baseball glove at San Francisco’s Oracle Park.