Monday, January 29, 2018

Hurrah, the winter season's super low tides are revealing fascinating intertidal communities clinging to rocks along the shoreline! It's a great time to explore.
A garden of algae exposed at super low tide, West Cliff Drive
If you visit West Cliff Drive, check the map in Animals and Plants of Monterey Bay (page viii) to find staircases to the water's edge.
Other great places to easily "go tidepooling" are Natural Bridges State Beach (at the western end of West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz), Capitola-by-the-Sea, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pescadero ... basically any place you see rocks exposed. Check tide tables to find when the low tide will be each day (such as online at www.tides.net/California/2400).
Remember that a few hours after a super low tide, there will be a super high tide. So be wise and safe: don't take any risks by getting too close to waves lapping among the rocks, and have an "escape route" planned if water suddenly rushes toward you.

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