San Diego County Tide Pools

Map: San Diego Coastal Tide Pools

TIDE POOLS HIGHLIGHTS

Although much of the San Diego coast is lined with long stretches of sandy beaches, there are also many rocky areas that offer excellent opportunities to explore tide pools. Probaby the best tide pool area is Point Loma Tide Pools, located south of Sunset Cliffs and west of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. Docents are available at this tide pool.

Another excellent tide pool area is in La Jolla, west of La Jolla Cove. This tide pool area extends from La Jolla Cove to Hospitality Point and Marine Beach. You'll spot many Harbor Seals and Sea Lions in this area.

Dike Rock Tide Pools near Scripps Pier is also good for tidepooling.

In the North County, Swami's Beach Tide Pools offers good tide pools, popular with school children tours.

Make sure the tide is low when you are there. A 1.0 foot tide or lower is OK, but you will have a better chance of seeing more marine plants and animals when the tide is minus.

Check the newspaper or use the tide calendar or tide tables available at surf shops, fishing supply stores, and online. If the weather is stormy or the surf is otherwise high, it is best to postpone visiting the tide pools until calm weather, since you won't see much, even at low tide.

Please respect the rocky shore environment, and make sure you follow the rules of conservation when you go:

Avoid stepping on animals.
Carefully turn rocks back over after you have examined them.
Don't remove attached animals such as sea anemones and barnacles.
Return others, such as crabs and snails, to the tide pool where you have found them.

Source: San Diego Natural History Museum