Sunset Cliffs and Low Tide

San Diego Metro KOA

Chula Vista, CA

January 21, 2022

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a 68 acre San Diego park dedicated in 1983.  It is a unique coastal environment that features expansive ocean views...

Photo taken at the top of the cliff wall looking out

...dramatic cliff formations...

Photo also taken at the top of cliff wall looking down

...native coastal sage scrub habitat...

...and a "captivating intertidal area" which I refer to as tide pools.

As the name implies, the sunset is the biggest draw to these striking cliff walls and breathtaking views.  I took this photo of a sunset at Sunset Cliffs back in March, 2013...the first time we ever went to Sunset Cliffs and way before we decided we don't like driving at night.  It was my first time...EVER...on the Pacific Coast and what a WOW moment in our travels it was for me !  Somethings you just never forget! 

Since 2013, we have visited Sunset Cliffs several times.  Not for the sunset, but for the tide pools.  The landscape here is so different than La Jolla beach.  I love them both !  

In addition to peaceful sunsets, another big activity at the cliffs is surfing.  No wettie or stick (that's surfer talk for wetsuit and surfboard) for me, but it is fun to sit and watch.  

Getting to the ocean is quite precarious.  First the steps, that seem endless as they switchback at several small landings, have to be carefully maneuvered so as not to get bonged in the head. The surfers must be accustomed to folks like me because they are always polite and turn outward at the landing to let me by.  All the while, I'm thinking "I do have to climb back up these stairs".  

Once at the bottom, there is a small rock wall with three man-made steps that remind me of the Moki steps we have used on a few hikes like Corona Arch in Moab. The next hurdle is rocks...smooth, round, big and small rocks with lots of crevices.  They are not particularly slippery, but careful footing is needed.  

And then, let the fun begin !

No starfish again.  I was lucky enough in January 2016 to see three starfish in one day... two Knobby Stars (one orange and the other brown) and a Bat Star.  The photo below is the Bat Star I saw that day.  

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is less than 20 miles from the KOA. Leaving Point Loma to return home is a nice ride...then again, I'm not driving.

Up next, Ocean Beach.  Until then,

HAPPY TRAILS !

La Jolla and Low Tide

San Diego Metro KOA

Chula Vista, CA

January 15, 2022

Tide pooling is my favorite beach activity.  I've been sitting on "go" since we arrived just waiting for a negative low tide.  Finally last Friday, it was a -0.4 tide at 2:00 pm and we were out the door headed for La Jolla shortly after noon.  From the moment we park, my heart beats a little faster !  La Jolla is such a picturesque and camera fun place to visit.  

This time of year, the seals are in the Children's Pool.  They have the sweetest faces and even though they don't move around much, their playful antics are amusing.  

   

La Jolla and colorful flowers just go together.

And where there are colorful flowers, you might just see some busy critters.

I began exploring tide pools right here in San Diego in March 2013 at Point Loma.  Through the years I have been fortunate to see a variety of star fish, mussels, crabs, hermit crabs, and even a lobster.  I'm not disappointed in Friday's pooling, but was surprised at the lack of variety.  

There were lots of anemones, hermit crabs, mussels and the sea grasses were especially pretty, but that was about it.  

The anemone's mouth is in the center surrounded by tentacles that gather food.  This anemone was completely submerged.

I'm always fascinated by nature.  Frequently, an anemone will cover itself with bits of shells when it is out of the water.  The bits of debris reflect light to keep it cooler and reduce water loss. 

These tiny long-clawed hermit crabs were hard to capture with my phone.  I didn't have the underwater camera.  It was fun watching shells scooting in all directions. 

Joe was "in charge" of the camera while Carol and I were exploring. He got a few photos as well.

  

One thing I missed at La Jolla was the brown pelicans.  They are magnificent birds and I am on a mission to photograph them...that might just mean another trip to La Jolla.    Well, somebody has to do it, right? 

We are officially half way into our month here.  The change of scenery has been nice.  The weather has been a little cooler than we like, but tolerable and mostly sunny.  The long range forecast looks to be warmer with highs in the mid 70s...pretty close to perfect beach weather for us.  We are looking forward to a few more adventures before heading home.  

Until next time, 

HAPPY TRAILS !

Cabrillo Tidepools

San Diego Metro KOA
Cula Vista, CA
January 10, 2017

I visit the beach to walk and enjoy the pups and surf.  I go to the tide pools to explore and experience.  Yesterday, the low tide was at 2:03 pm and the weather cooperated for a fun day of doing just that...exploring and experiencing.  I'll say from the get-go, I didn't see many marine species.  A disappointment yes, but that didn't spoil my excitement for looking and being there. 

The Kellet's Whelk is the largest sea snail.  

 The home of a Wavy Turban Snail (characterized by having a heavily sculptured spiral shell) sits on a clump of surf grass. 

 The algae was especially brilliant.

Once these Gooseneck Barnacles attach to the rocks as larvae, they do not move their entire lives. 
 A Bat Star hiding under a rock.  
The solitary sea anemone is the largest of the Southern California anemones. Their color comes from the symbiotic algae that live in them.

Sand-castle worms are tube builders and almost always found in a colony.  Even though the worm is only 2 inches long, they cement together tiny grains of sand and shells to create reefs up to 6 feet long. 

Exploring works up an appetite. Snack with a view...

 And one last look before we go...

 The ride to the tidepools at Point Loma take you through Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.  It's a beautiful and somber drive.

Until next time, let the good times roll.

 HAPPY TRAILS !

P.S. Check out last years tidepool day in the featured post  (top right side tool bar).  I saw three stars !