Point Loma Tide Pools
Map: San Diego Coastal Tide PoolsPoint Loma Tide Pools
Gatchell Road
Cabrillo National Monument Park
Point Loma, San Diego, California
The Point Loma Tide Pools is located below Sunset Cliffs, facing west, near the New Point Loma Lighthouse. On a clear day, you can see the Los Coronado Islands and sail boats.
The Point Loma Tide Pools resides near the Cabrillo National Monument, located atop the hill, where you can see the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.The tide pools are accessed from a windy road makings it way down the hill from the monument park.
There has been some concern that the thousands of visitors to Cabrillo National Monument have damaged the Point Loma Tide Pools. That is probably true, but the rocky shore at this park still has a lot to offer, and if you visit on a good low minus tide it will be worth the entrance fee. In the mid-intertidal zone you can see very large Great Owl Limpets. Hermit crabs are abundant here. During a museum tide pool class for kids this last spring, a girl found a homeless hermit crab (no shell) and some other girls hunted for and found an empty snail shell.
We watched in excitement as the crab promptly accepted and fit into this shell. On the same day we watched a fairly large octopus walk in plain view on top of the surf grass for several minutes.
Be sure you follow park regulations; TThe Point Loma Tide Pools is policed by park rangers. The rangers are helpful and will explain marine life and help visitors observe the animals.
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