What are Tidepools –
Tide pools are small pools of water filled with sea water.
A tide pool is home to rich marine life – sea anemones, crabs, urchin’s, sea stars etc.
Best time to visit a tide pool is during low tide. Check the park website for low tide timings.
Our first experience with tide pools was in Mackerricher state park in Mendocino county – covered in article here http://www.kutchvalley.com/2011/07/mendocino-county-getaway/3017
It was a fun filled experience both for kids and adults. Since then wanted to do this one more time and found a place close to home.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a popular location which allows us to see these sea animals in their natural habitat.
We visited this during spring break and was crowded – not only families but there lot couples too (so not a place just for families only 🙂 ).
Rangers were around to answer questions and since this is ocean water, small beach like setting too.
One can also visit the nearby beaches after a short trip to this reserve.
If you haven’t been to a tide pool before, enjoy the 5-minute presentation at the video screen on parking lot – gives you a glimpse of things that one will see. Reusable handouts are also available next to the video screen.
And a short trail – Cypress Grove trail that overlooks the tide pools and has a ocean view.
There is a small parking lot (and lot of street parking). Restroom and few picnic tables adjacent to the parking lot to enjoy your snack or lunch.
For more details visit –
https://parks.smcgov.org/fitzgerald-marine-reserve
Thanks Bhavini! Nice post definitely useful for one of the summer outings!
Should be a good outing for kids. Thanks Bhavs (it rhymes 🙂 ).
Here is a link for the guided tours during low tide for 2015
http://www.fitzgeraldreserve.org/newffmrsite/tours-july-2015-june-2016/
Thanks Bhavini For Sharing..
there are 2 more places… where they have this activity IF i find more information will add it.
@ Poonam – Point Lobos (before Big Sur), Natural Bridges SB in Santa Cruz also have tide pools.