Exploring an Aquatic Ecosystems

Of all the many ecosystems you can explore, very few let you spy on their natural state as the tide pools along the shore.  Formed when water is trapped in depressions on rocky shorelines, and fully exposed at low tide, these mini-worlds are filled with fascinating tiny creatures and beautiful flowering plants.  November to March is the optimal time to explore the many tide pools of San Diego, and here are just a few that we love to visit.

Flat Rock, at Torrey Pines State reserve, is named for the horizontal slab of rock that look like it's emerging from the ocean during high tide.  During low tide it is a captivating tide pool filled with sea anemones, mussels, hermit crabs, and sea stars.  A visit here requires a bit of a hike, but one that’s lined with tall pine trees and a cool ocean breeze.  

For those wanting to explore a smaller rocky intertidal zone (a fancy word for an area that is under water during high tide and above water in low tide), than check out Shell Beach in La Jolla.  Located at the south end of Ellen Browning Scripps park, this tide pool gets big crowds during the weekend because of the occasional seal which suns itself atop the reef so we recommend visiting during the week.  

We love the tide pools under the Ocean Beach Pier (at the foot of Newport Avenue) because they are so accessible.  They’re a close drive from Mission Bay and do not require a hike, so it's easy to explore with little ones.  If they look too crowded or the tide isn’t low enough, you can always grab a bite on the pier or at some of the great eateries in Ocean Beach and wait for better conditions.  

At the north end of Pacific Beach, you’ll find Tourmaline Surfing Park's tide pools,  which are carved into the sandstone.  This is not your typical pool, as it does not see as much flowing sea water over the rocks, so you’ll find different marine life here than at a traditional tide pool.  

One of the more famous tide pools in San Diego is at the base of Point Loma, below the lighthouse of Cabrillo National Monument.  Like Flat Rock, this reef also requires a hike, but the vast area and unique formations are well worth a visit.  Ideally, you’ll get there as soon as the park opens at 9:00 a.m. to avoid excessive waiting, as the parking lot will close temporarily when the tide pools get too crowded.   Stop by the park’s visitor center for an educational slide show about the pools before you make the trek.  There are also rangers wandering around who can offer tips and interesting facts about the area.  

Birch Aquarium in La Jolla offers two ways to explore these under water communities.  The first is at their Preuss Tide-Pool Plaza on site, where they have recreated the ecosystem in three different pools.  There are glass windows that look into the complex intertidal worlds and docents are also averrable for any questions you might have.  The Plaza sits above La Jolla and also offers gorgeous panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego.

The Aquarium also offers ‘San Diego Tidepooling Adventures,’ where you can visit Dike Rock, just north of the Scripps Pier, and learn about this amazing environment.  A trained naturalist will explain exactly how all these creatures can survive in such contradictory climates (wet and dry in both salt water and fresh, depending on the rainfall).  You must be at least 2 years old for this tour and pre-purchased tickets are required ($12 for Aquarium members and $15 for non-member). 

All visits should be planned during low tide, and you can track the tide schedule HERE.  Tide pools are known for being slippery and the rocks can have very jagged edges, so non-slip shoes that you won’t mind getting wet are ideal.  Always face the ocean when walking and examining so you are aware of unexpected and approaching waves.  

Remember, tide pools are a very fragile eco-system, and while they provide fascinating entertainment for us, we must be careful not to get too close to the animals living there.  These areas are protected so no poking or picking up sea creatures, or taking ‘souvenirs’ (this includes  shells, which are where hermits crabs call ‘home’) with you.  You can truly observe these eco-systems in their most pure state when observing and not touching.  We want these pools to last forever so we need to make sure we tread lightly when visiting.

Looking closely into the clear waters on these rocky reefs is like spying on life forms on another planet.  The San Diego coastline is brimming with these pools that can captivate both adults and children.  Spend a fews days with us, at Mission Bay Vacation Rentals, exploring these dazzling and delicate ecosystems.  

Whale Watching Season in San Diego

Winter is winding down so be sure to add a whale-watching trip to your itinerary before the whale season ends!  Don't miss your chance to get a glimpse of the majestic grey whales as they migrate from Alaska, passing right by San Diego and Mission Bay, en route to Baja California, where they give birth to their calves.   Their journey starts in December and ends in April for around 20,000 of these whales, so now is the time to grab a camera and go exploring on the sea.    

From Land

The grey whales swim so closely to the shore that you can easily spot them from land.  Below are two of our favorite spots to spend an afternoon enjoying nature and watching for the graceful giants. . .

Thanks to the second largest kelp forest in California, the grey whales hug the San Diego coast on their journey.  One of the closest points you can get to this kelp forest is at the Cabrillo National Park.  Cabrillo has some amazing vantage points for spying whales, such as  the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, a historical structure with views of the city and vast ocean.  A short walk from the Lighthouse is the Whale Overlook, with perfect views of, you guessed it, the migrating mammals.  The park’s visitor center has more information on the whales and rangers are also available to answer questions or give pointers on when and where is the best spot to catch a glimpse of them. 
 

Make a day of it with a visit to Torrey Pines State National Reserve, another gorgeous park with perfect vistas of the whales' path.  After watching the whales on their annual winter journey from the bluffs overlooking the ocean, you can explore the 2000 acres of protected wildlife on over 8 miles of trails.  Torrey Pines is unique not just because of the pristine cliffs and land on the coast, but also because it offers a wilderness of both pine forests and sandstone canyons in the middle of the Southern Californian desert. 

From Sea

Being a coastal city, San Diego offers numerous whale-watching tours, which is a great way to not only appreciate the delicate balance of marine life, but also to experience the stunning San Diego skyline.  Here we’ve highlighted some of our favorites. . .

The world-renowned Birch Aquarium has partnered with Flagship Cruises & Events to offer two very unique excursions to explore the ocean while looking for the giants of the deep. Tours are guided by Birch Aquarium Naturalists and include fact sheets about the gray whale and the best part is, if you don’t see a whale you ride again for free!  For those who don’t have three and a half hours for the standard whale tour, they also offer a ride on The Patriot, a high-speed boat; you get as far out at sea as the other tour, but this ride is an hour and a half long.  A ride on the Patriot also has the same ‘see a whale or the next ride is free’ policy.  Talk about a win-win!

Hornblower Cruises & Events is one of the most popular whale watching ships in San Diego.  Their boats are comfortable, spacious, and fast.  It’s easy to see why they are the most sought after tour when it comes to viewing the whale migration.  They always have live educational narration from both the captain and trained Naturalists from the Natural History Museum, which makes for some fascinating time on the sea.  Before you book, you can check out current sightings and other ocean news on their Whale Report blog. 
 

For a truly luxurious whale watching experience, look no further than the San Diego Sailing Tours.  They offer a half-day tour, which includes a gourmet lunch.  Glide in and out of San Diego Bay and up and down the southern Californian coast on a gorgeous ship.  Stewards serve cheese and crackers along with San Diego made craft beer and chilled wine  (for the adults, naturally) and everyone is served a boxed lunch from their gourmet deli.  At $149 for each passenger, this is truly an elite day on the sea, but one you will never forget! 

Mission Bay Vacation Rentals couldn’t be any closer to the action, so book now and spend some time on both dry land and the water.   Once you get a magical glimpse of these peaceful creatures in their natural habitat, you’ll want to come back for more.