paradisaeidae

Oh my goodness, thank you so much for both of your replies! I somehow did not get notifications for them and just now stumbled upon my own post. 
 
I will look into all of these opportunities! Thanks again.

Paradisaeidae, you definitely have a chance at grad school and will get admitted somewhere, though it may not be UCSB, UCSC or UCSD. UCSB is my alma matter, and I also have a degree in marine science. UCSB's minimum GPA for grad school is 3.0. Even if they round up your GPA to 3.0, you will be competing against applicants with very strong GPA, test scores and similar work experience. I have strong ties at the the marine science institute there and have personally witnessed conversations between professors on the admission committee about borderline students. If it comes down to your package vs another student with a stronger package (grades, etc), admission is going to be given to the other student, because UCSB's marine biology program is highly desirable and competitive. Similarly this applies to UCSD (world renown Scripps Inst. of Oceanography) and UCSC, both exceptional marine biology schools. Also these schools typically will not take into account post-baccalaureate grades as part of your GPA calculation. Now if you can network and establish a strong connection with a professor that you are interested in working with, they may be willing to overlook some of your weak spots and waive certain admission requirements. Though this is seldom done.

While your chances at these top tier marine biology schools may not be as sunny as you had hoped, there are many other state schools in California with great marine biology programs. Check with San Diego State University, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Northridge, San Francisco State University, and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (associated with Cal State Schools- so you can apply through any Cal State). Part of applying to grad schools is managing your expectations and working with the assets that you have. Don't look back at and dwell on things you can't fix. Just look forward and work toward what you can accomplish now. I highly recommend that you check out the other state schools, if California is your destination. I realize that my advice is raw but I don't want to sugar-coat it because it would be a disservice to you. If you have further questions about UCSB, feel free to PM me.

I think you will definately get in somewhere and be able to persue your dream in marine bio. I would recommend just taking a few additional classes somewhere so your GPA is >= 3.0, just so you make the cutoffs that some schools employ.

I would highly recommend looking at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. Fantastic and well known school focusing on marine science research and fieldwork. You can apply through a number of CA state schools. I got my M.S there and found it to be an amazing program. I got in with a 3.2 GPA, + strong work experience and a undergrad pub. PM if you have any questions about the program or faculty.

I would also continue looking for RA jobs in marine bio. Lots of opportunities posted daily here.
http://wfsc.tamu.edu/jobboard/

I think if you can get a year or two of research experience, maybe be a coauthor on a publication you will be competative.

I know that if you are a NOAA fisheries observer for 6 months, they have a scholarship you can use for grad school. My friend just went this route and ended up at OSU. This can make your app much more competative. Plus the observer postiion pays very well, you could do that, save some money up and then apply.