About San Diego Profile: Point Loma Tide Pools

What is it?: Because of their protected status, some of the best tidepools in California can be found right at Cabrillo National Monument. On the western side of Point Loma lies the rocky inter-tidal zone, a window into the ocean ecosystem that lies along of San Diego's coast. During low tide's pools form along this shore in rocky depressions.

What can you see?: There's lots to see, if you look closely. In them you may see flowery sea anemones, an elusive octopus, spongy deadman's fingers, starfish, sea cucumber, crabs, sea urchins, and a myriad of other creatures.

What should we look out for?: Remember, you are visiting a delicate and fragile ecosystem. The tidepools are a wonderful discovery zone, but be careful if you visit. Few animals in this ecosystem can harm humans, but many animals are sensitive, and can even be killed, when handled or just touched by humans.

What are the best times to access the tide pools: Low tides during convenient daylight hours are most common in the winter during full and new moons.

How can you learn more about tide pools?: Since the tide pools are within the Cabrillo National Park, it is patrolled by park rangers. Ranger walks are available during most low tides and a slide program is shown daily at the Cabrillo park visitor center.

Can you take live creatures from the tide pools?: Absolutely not! In fact, it's best to not even handle any of the sea creatures with your hands (you can point them out to your kids, though). Beware that park rangers patrol the area regularly and strictly enforce park regulations!

Anything else to know?: You are in an ocean tidal area. Which means chances are pretty good you will get wet to some degree. Be careful. The rocks are wet and slippery! Wear shoes with good traction, wear clothes you don't mind getting wet, and expect to get wet. You will be more relaxed, have more fun, and be safer, if you don't have to worry about your good shoes or pants getting doused by a stray wave.

Your About Guide's Take: The Point Loma tide pools are within the Cabrillo National Monument and operated by the National Park Service. Address: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive (Catalina Boulevard), San Diego, CA 92106-3601. There is a vehicle parking fee if you park up at the lighthouse and visitor's center. Parking for the tidepools is before the parking gate.

The Point Loma tide pools are one of the great natural wonders of the San Diego area. It is a great way to introduce kids to sea life in their entirely natural habitat. It's also a great way to show chidlren how fragile and important this ecosystem can be.

Some tips from the National Park Service to make your visit to the tide pools more enjoyable:

For optimum viewing, a negative low tide is a must.The very best time for tidepooling is during the winter months, when those good negative low tides occur during daylight hours when the park is open.In the summer months, the negative low tides generally occur in the middle of the night. Even though there are daily low tides during the summer, many times they still are too high to really see anything - there's just too much water in the tidepools to adequately access them. Bonus: if you visit during the winter, the park will always try to have a Park Ranger or Volunteers in the tidepools to answer questions and to help you spot tidepool critters.

Please note that a vehicle is required to get to the lower area of the park where the tidepools are located - parking up at the lighthouse and walking down to the tide pools is not recommended; once parked, it's a short walk and scramble down into the tidepools.

Please keep small children close - a child's enthusiasm and excitement over being in this natural wonderland can quickly translate into a slip or tumble.