Outdoor Calendar

CRYSTAL COVE

STATE PARK

Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N. Coast Hwy, has 3.5 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of undeveloped woodland. $15 day-use parking fee.

Note: Due to inclement weather the backcountry hiking and biking trails are closed. The coastal area is open. To check conditions, call 949-494-3539.

Los Trancos — from Coast Highway, turn inland at Los Trancos. Meet near the trailer.

Pelican Point Lot No. 2 — From Coast Highway, turn coastward at Newport Coast.

For more information, call (949) 497-7647 or e-mail wbonnin@parks.ca.gov.

New Year’s Tidepool Walk: 1 p.m. Saturday. Meet at Pelican Point parking lot #2, at the top of the boardwalk near the parking lot (from Coast Highway, turn coastward at Newport Coast stoplight, right at the kiosk and left into the first lot.) $15 day-use parking fee.

TIDEPOOLS

The following tidepools are located in Laguna Beach and are within a State Marine Conservation Area. This means that nothing is allowed to leave these areas, including game fish, dead or alive invertebrates, sand, rocks or shells. Enjoy the tidepools, but do not remove anything from them.

Crescent Bay — Crescent Bay Drive and North Coast Highway. Rocks may be closed on both north and south end due to high tide and/or large or dangerous surf conditions.

Shaw’s Cove — Cliff Drive at Marine Drive. Very good tidepooling on both sides. The TideWater Docent program provides volunteers to educate the public during low tides or on busy weekends and holidays.

Picnic Beach (Heisler Park Reserve) — Note: During low tides the south side of the beach has a flat rocky section that is covered with sea anemones that close up into shell camouflaged blobs to protect themselves when out of water. While it seems like a nice flat place to walk, it is virtually impossible to walk across without squashing the marine life or slipping and falling yourself. Try to stay on the dry rocks further back and just observe.

Rock Pile (Heisler Park Reserve) — Walking south of the stairs to the beach area will give you exposure to a flat section of tidepool similar to the one at Picnic Beach. Try to observe from the sand so as to avoid stepping on and destroying the marine life. If you walk north of the stairs, you can stay on drier rocks and observe many urchins, striped shore crabs, hermit crabs, etc. from a higher and less impactful vantage point.

Bird Rock (Heisler Park Reserve) — Accessible by walking north from Main Beach, Bird Rock has some excellent tidepooling. It is possible to view a great number of marine animals without directly impacting their habitat. Recent highlights have been a number of sea hares and red urchins and the occasional sea cucumber.

Moss Point (end of Moss Street) — Be careful of incoming tides and surf that will completely cover the beach.

Treasure Island (Wesley Drive, South Laguna) — The Montage Laguna Beach provides tidepool docents to educate the public during low tides and busy weekends and holidays.

Information from the Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau, https://www.lagunainfo.com.