Resource Pools

The window of opportunity for catching a glimpse of the northern migration of gray whales will soon end, but more marine life can be seen this month in the tide pools on the coast.

Winter is ideal for checking out the shoreline’s rocky outcroppings for small sea creatures because low tide is at its lowest during the day, state parks rangers say.

Two weekends this month will offer good opportunities for tide pool exploration from the northern tip of Los Angeles County, along the Ventura County coast and into Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County, the rangers said.

“You can see a variety of animals and plants and things you wouldn’t normally see when the tide is high,” said Johnji Stone, supervisor of nature programs for the city of Ventura.

Tide pool exploration can be done through programs led by nature interpreters or on one’s own. It’s a fun, educational and inexpensive activity for families and friends, said Lynn Mochizuki, campground manager at Leo Carrillo State Park.

Good viewing times will be between 1 and 1:45 p.m. March 13, 14, 27 and 28. Consult a tide chart--usually available at hardware and surf shops and at state park kiosks--for exact times of daily low tides.

As a reminder, park rangers said it is illegal to remove any living creatures from tide pools, including starfish.

*

State Park Ranger Tom Evans said tide pool discoveries depend on the time of year, water temperature, humidity and weather conditions. There are sea hairs, which are large slug-like creatures, starfish, mussels and, on rare occasions, octopuses.

At Leo Carrillo State Beach at 35000 Pacific Coast Highway just over the county line to the south, tide pool explorers have seen crabs up to 5 inches wide, and nudibranch, a colorful member of the snail family about an inch long.

Often found at tide pools are sea anemones, spineless creatures that attach to rocks and look like gray or faded-green flowers when fully open.

Sea anemones have tentacles that can sense fish or other movement, so be prepared to be pricked by a stinger carrying poison if you touch one, rangers said.

“We don’t encourage people [to touch them],” Evans said. “It’s like a big giant coming along and sticking its finger in our mouth.”

Leo Carrillo is an exceptional area to explore because the Arroyo Sequit stream carries rocks that form tide pools where it flows into the ocean.

“The land, the ocean and the stream mouth all come together and make this a special place,” Evans said.

From noon to 1 p.m. April 11, free guided tide pool exploration will be offered at Leo Carrillo. At any time, there is a $6 day-use parking fee at the beach. For independent explorers, the visitors’ center is open most weekends and holidays.

For more information, call the park at (818) 880-0350.

From 12:30 to 2 p.m. March 13, Ventura will offer a guided tide pool group led by one of the city’s experienced interpreters, Stone said. Additional tours are planned for April.

The interpreter will talk about how animals that make their homes on the edge of the sea survive and how people’s activities on the beach can make a difference in the survival of certain marine life.

“We live near the ocean and it’s an important habitat,” Stone said.

The group meets at Emma Wood State Beach at the south end of Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura. The parking fee at the beach is waived. Participants must be able to walk at least a half-mile on sand and cobblestone.

Call 658-4726 for details and reservations. The cost is $5 for participants 5 and older.

Farther up the coast at Faria Beach off Pacific Coast Highway between Ventura and La Conchita are excellent rocky areas for self-guided tide pool exploration, rangers said.

And even farther up the coast, State Park Ranger Jane Hall said, rangers often give impromptu tide pool tours at Carpinteria State Beach. Rangers are also available daily to answer questions.

Carpinteria State Beach has a specific tide pool area that is about a half-mile walk from the parking lot at 5361 6th St. For more information or to inquire about a reservation for a group of students, call 566-2494.

The easiest way to reach this beach is to exit the Ventura Freeway at Casitas Pass and follow the state park signs to Palm Avenue. There is a $5 day-use parking fee.

*

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14, the third annual Whale Festival will be held at Point Mugu State Park at 9000 Pacific Coast Highway, State Park Interpreter Cara E. O’Brien said.

There will be marine conservation booths, entertainment, whale-watching stations, free arts and crafts activities for kids, displays, demonstrations and food.

Experienced naturalists will help people view and identify gray whales and pods of bottlenose dolphins from the beach. There will be raffles for whale-watching excursions.

The festival is free, but the park charges a $6 day-use fee for parking. Sand wheelchairs will be available for those who need them. For more information, call 986-8591.