For a real treat, explore the San Diego tide pools with nature lovers, which includes most kids. Each visit is a unique and wonderful experience - what sealife can you find today? These tidepools are usually found on rocky shores that are covered and uncovered by the ocean tides.
Last updated April 28 2013 San Diego Tide Pools.
Happy Tidepooling! The 2013 - 2014 San Diego tide pool season will begin in fall 2013.
Guided tours are offered by naturists at the Point Loma tidepools by the park service, and at some La Jolla tide pools by Scripps Birch Aquarium (information below on this page).
Each time I visit any San Diego tide pools, I see something different. Anemones, sponges, starfish and more. If you visit the Point Loma tide pools, a ranger or volunteer can help you identify what you see. Low tides are a great time to explore tide pools and access the hidden San Diego beaches at low tide.
The best time to see the San Diego tide pools are in the fall and winter, when minus tides occur - very low tides that are below the average.
Tides are the alternating rise and fall of the sea level, due to the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun. Many factors influence the tides, but the very low tides in San Diego during daylight hours occur during the fall and winter.
Tides can be predicted and the San Diego Tide Chart shows the predicted high and low tide for each day. Always use good judgment, as the weather conditions that day can also influence the tides.
Note: if you are visiting the tide pools at Point Loma, they close at 4:30 PM.
Fall 2013 San Diego Tide Pools Date and Times
The tide pool season will begin again in the fall 2013 - winter 2014. Check back later for the best dates and times.
Best San Diego Tide Pools
Which San Diego tide pools are the best? I like the ones at Cabrillo National Monument, and the ones in La Jolla the best. In general, they are better in the southern part of the county. But you can find interesting sealife at all of these tidepools.
Cabrillo National Monument - These tide pools at Point Loma (see above photo from National Park Service) offer some very nice tidepool exploration, that are worth the entrance fee to the park (currently $5.00 per vehicle). They have rangers or volunteers to help explain the marine life. For more information see Virtual Visit to Cabrillo National Monument Tidepools. If you can arrive early and enjoy the Lighthouse and other sites. Directions to Point Loma Tidepools
Ocean Beach - Under the Ocean Beach Pier at the end of Newport Ave. is a small tidepool area and sandstone rocks to explore.
Tourmaline Surfing Park - At the north end of Pacific Beach, head north to find many tide pools in the sandstone and cobblestones. This is frequented by local biology students.
Children's Pool in La Jolla - Walk along the sea wall and look down and you can see mussels, crabs, fish, and more in the tidepools below, in addition to the spectacular view of the La Jolla coastline and the seals basking in the sun on Children's Pool. Take a short walk up to Shell Beach and explore more tide pools close up. La Jolla Childrens Pool
Shell Beach in La Jolla - This small beach is close to Seal Rock Reserve, an offshore rock full of seals and sea lions. At minus tide you can explore the tidepools at the south end of Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla, San Diego CA.
Dike Rock in La Jolla - Just north of Scripps Pier is another favorite area of biology students that is part of the La Jolla Underwater Park marine reserve. You can park at La Jolla Shores and walk north along the sandy beach then over a rocky area. This is quite a large area to explore. Be careful - the rocks are slippery!
Tide Park in Solana Beach - Tide Park beach offers a nice view of the ocean as you climb down the steep stairs, then head north past the sandstone bluffs until you reach a small rocky tidepool area (shown above at high tide). It is officially located in Solana Beach (Tide Park beach access at 302 Solana Vista Drive, a block west of 101. Alternatively, this can be accessed from Cardiff State Beach, as it is a short walk from the south end of the Cardiff Seaside parking lot. Check out the mural of the north coast etched in the sidewalk on your way. Plenty of parking in the lot and a good choice if you have a California state parking pass, otherwise it is $10. Some free parking available along historic 101.
Swami's in Encinitas - Swami's is just off historic 101 in Encinitas, south of the gold colored domes of the Self Realization Center. Descend the wooden stairway and the rocky area with tide pools is a short distance to the north.
San Onofre State Park - Just north of the campground is a cobblestone tide pool area. To the south and at the base of the bluffs below the campground is another rocky area to explore. Located in north county of Interstate 5 freeway off Basilone road just north of Camp Pendleton.
Tidepooling Adventures Guided Tide Pool Exploration in La Jolla
Birch Aquarium at Scripps offers guided visits to La Jolla tide pool to learn how these amazing habitats and their inhabitants truly survive "between a rock and a hard place." Scripps trained naturalists will show you how to tread lightly during your visit and help you discover the great world of tide pools.
Cost is $12 per person (ages 2+) & only $10 if you are a member of Birch Aquarium. RSVP Required: Call 858-534-7336
These dates are typically December - February during low tides.
Date TBD: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. – False Point
Date TBD: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. – Dike Rock
Date TBD: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. – False Point
Date TBD: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. – Dike Rock
Date TBD: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. – False Point
Tips to Safely Enjoy San Diego Tide Pools
1. Wear non-slip shoes. Rocks and algae can be very slippery.
2. Watch young children carefully so they do not hurt themselves or the inhabitants of the tide pool.
3. Arrive early on weekends or holidays, as the tide pools may be crowded in popular spots like Point Loma Cabrillo National Monument.
4. Avoid stepping on animals.
5. Carefully turn rocks back over after you have moved them.
6. Don't remove any attached animals, such as barnacles or sea anemones.
7. If you pick up animals such as crabs or snails, return them to the same tide pool where you found them.
8. Remember, this is a fragile ecosystem that deserves your protection. Do not injure any animal in the tide pool. Refer to these Rules to Protect the Tidepools provided by Cabrillo National Monument.
