Best Of

3 Local Places To Observe 'World Penguin Day'

April 25, 2014 / 1:18 PM PDT / CBS San Francisco

SAN FRANCSICO (CBS SF) - Formal dress is only required for the animals for those celebrating World Penguin day in the Bay Area. We honestly didn't know the celebration existed until today – perhaps Penguin Awareness day (held in January, apparently) should have tipped us off? So where can you actually see penguins in Northern California?

San Francisco Zoo
The SF Zoo doesn't have just one or two penguins on display but an entire island full of waddling little cuties. The Magellanic penguins are natives of southern South America, so they fit right in in the fog of the outer sunset. Watch them watch you from the comfort of their little burrows, or catch daily feedings at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Here's more on the exhibit.

California Academy of Sciences
Sometimes lost amid the elaborate dioramas in the museums Tusher African Hall, the Academy's African Penguin population offers an authentic look at penguin life. "Scuffles over territory are common," reports the museum online. For those who can't make the trip, they offer live cameras of the exhibit. (Tip from the academy: Couples, which typically have the same colored wing bands, can often be seen grooming one another near the next box they share.)

Monterey Bay Aquarium
You can also peek in at the drama inside the African black footed penguin enclosure at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. There scientists say you can use body language to gague their moods. "Throwing their heads back and wings out means 'I'm happy.' Leaning forward and opening their beaks means 'Go away.'" Have a look for yourself. Feeding times 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.