Situated in attractive Mission Bay Park, this waterfront attraction mixes entertainment and education in a venue designed to heighten awareness of conservation issues.The park had just four attractions when it opened in 1964 on a 22-acre site on the south shore of Mission Bay. Since then its entertainment and research facilities have expanded to cover 189.5 acres, featuring numerous live-performance shows, and more than 25 marine-life exhibits and aquariums. SeaWorld's research, conservation and education departments are nationally recognized, and the park has pioneered breeding programs for killer whales, emperor penguins and other species. The park also operates a rescue-and-rehabilitation program for beached marine mammals. SeaWorld sister parks were opened in Ohio (1970), Florida (1973) and Texas (1988). The live whale, sea lion, walrus and dolphin shows (schedule at park entrance) are by far the biggest crowd-pleasers here. Shamu Adventure, featuring the park's beloved killer whales (orcas), is particularly popular. Other exhibits include Penguin Encounter, which re-creates the icy 28°F Antarctic climate for the resident population of nearly 400 penguins, and Shark Encounter, which offers an intriguing close-up look at these often-feared predators of the deep. There are also a number of amusement park-type rides, a water park and an aerial tram