Go San Diego

San Diego's Attraction Card

  • Go San Diego
  • San Diego Attractions
    • San Diego Tours
    • San Diego Zoo
    • San Diego Zoo Safari Park
    • Legoland California
    • Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
    • Old Town Trolley Tours
    • SeaWorld San Diego
    • More…
  • San Diego Hotels
    • Tower23, Pacific Beach
    • The US Grant
    • Sofia Hotel, San Diego
    • The Keating Hotel, San Diego
    • Beach Haven Inn, San Diego
    • More…
  • San Diego Restaurants
    • George’s at the Cove
    • Puesto at the Headquarters
    • Grant Grill
    • More…
  • Neighborhoods
    • The Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego
    • La Jolla
    • Pacific Beach San Diego
    • Mission Beach San Diego
    • Coronado Island
    • East Village San Diego
    • Marina District San Diego
    • Little Italy San Diego
    • More…
  • Beaches
    • Pacific Beach
    • Mission Beach
    • La Jolla Shores Beach
    • Coronado Central Beach
  • Tourist Passes
    • San Diego All-Inclusive Pass by GoCity
    • San Diego Explorer Pass
    • San Diego Pass Comparisons
  • Parks
  • Blog

San Diego Tidepooling Adventures

San Diego’s coastline boasts some expansive soft and sandy beaches, but there are also quite a few rocky areas that offer a great opportunity to explore tide pools. Depending on the location, a variety of marine life can be found hiding within the crevices, including mussles, hermit crabs, sea anemones, shore crabs, sea slugs and more. Tidepooling offers a fantastic family-oriented activity that best of all, is free and easy for everyone to enjoy!

The best time of year to explore tide pools tends to be between late fall and early spring, though some spots offer something to see at any time of year. Make sure to check the surf before you go—most of these spots are only exposed during low tide. Check out these beach locales for a top-notch tidepooling adventure:

San Diego Metro Area Beaches

Ocean Beach. There are some small tidepools just beneath the Ocean Beach Pier and though not as substantial as some other local spots, you can find shore crabs, hermit crabs and sea anemones all inhabiting rock depressions.

Tide Pools at Cabrillo National MonumentCabrillo National Monument. The rocky shore of this park in offers an expansive hideout for marine life, particularly hermit crabs. You will need to pay an entrance fee to get into the park, but it’s definitely worth it.

Tourmaline Surfing Park. Located on the very north end of Pacific Beach, this spot offers many tide pools nestled in the sandstone that house a variety of sea life, from hermit crabs and sea snails to sea urchins and possibly even small octopus on a good day.

Flat Rock. Located on the beach of the Torrey Pines State Reserve, this spot offers great wildlife and spectacular views of the coastline.

Shell Beach. This smaller beach in La Jolla offers up some beautiful tidepooling, but only when the tide is exceptionally low (minus tide). In addition to smaller sea life, adjacent Seal Rock Reserve draws in seals and sea lions that sun themselves on the rocks.

Dike Rock. Located just north of the Scripps Pier in La Jolla, this is a favorite of local biology students and part of the La Jolla Underwater Park Marine Reserve. In a good minus tide, you can see starfish, sea urchins and even small octopi.

North County Beaches

Tide Park. Located in Solana Beach at Vista Drive just off the 101, these smaller pools are accessed by a steep stairway and are more hidden away so as to avoid crowds.

Cardiff State Beach. This is one of the best spots for tidepooling in San Diego, offering a very accessible location near the bluffs and close to the parking lot. In addition to diverse wildlife, if you walk farther south you can also see some amazing fossils embedded in the bluffs and rocks, as well as small caves within the cliffs.

Swami’s. Moving a bit farther north to Encinitas, Swami’s Beach has a great rocky tidepool area. During low tide there are some wider pools that house sea hares, brittle stars and even octopi.

San Onofre State Park. Located off Interstate 5 at Baseline Road (just north of the checkpoint), you’ll frequently find mussel beds and hermit crabs nestled in the tilted formations.

  • 1share
  • Facebook1
  • Twitter0
  • Pinterest0

Filed Under: Cheap and Free, Things to Do

Related Blog Posts

  • Top Ten Things to Do in Balboa Park
  • San Diego for First-Time Visitors
  • San Diego on a Rainy Day
  • You’re about to Discover SeaWorld San Diego’s Five Rip-Roaring Roller Coasters!
  • 5 of San Diego’s Coolest Farmers Markets
  • Hike Like a Local: 9 Spectacular Hiking Trails in San Diego
  • 8 San Diego Tours by Land or by Sea
  • San Diego Zoo Global Provides Relief to Australia
  • Don’t Let the Budget Stop the Fun: 10 Things to Do in San Diego under $10
  • 9 Ways to Start the New Year with a Bang in San Diego

Recent Go San Diego Posts

  • Top Ten Things to Do in Balboa Park
  • San Diego for First-Time Visitors
  • San Diego on a Rainy Day
  • Eight Things to Do in San Diego in Spring
  • Hotel del Coronado from Vision to National Historic Landmark
  • You’re about to Discover SeaWorld San Diego’s Five Rip-Roaring Roller Coasters!
  • 5 of San Diego’s Coolest Farmers Markets
  • 8 of the Best Breakfast Spots in San Diego
  • Hike Like a Local: 9 Spectacular Hiking Trails in San Diego
  • 6 Best Craft Beer Breweries in San Diego

Things to Do

  • Top Ten Things to Do in Balboa Park
  • San Diego for First-Time Visitors
  • San Diego on a Rainy Day
  • You’re about to Discover SeaWorld San Diego’s Five Rip-Roaring Roller Coasters!
  • 5 of San Diego’s Coolest Farmers Markets

San Diego Hotels

  • Hotel del Coronado from Vision to National Historic Landmark
  • Surprise Your Valentine with a Stay at One of These Romantic San Diego Hotels
  • SANDiego’s 6th Annual Sand Sculpting Competition is Labor Day Weekend
  • Love and Romance in San Diego

San Diego Parks

  • Hike Like a Local: 9 Spectacular Hiking Trails in San Diego
  • 15 Kid-friendly Things to Do in San Diego This Summer
  • Chicano Park: From Embattled, Undeveloped Land to National Historic Landmark
  • Desert in Bloom: Anza-Borrego Wild Flowers

Beaches

  • North to South: The 5 Best Places to Surf in San Diego County
  • San Diego Dog Beaches: Take Your Pup to the Surf and Sand

Cheap and Free

  • 5 of San Diego’s Coolest Farmers Markets
  • Hike Like a Local: 9 Spectacular Hiking Trails in San Diego
  • Don’t Let the Budget Stop the Fun: 10 Things to Do in San Diego under $10
  • How to Visit San Diego’s Aquatica for FREE
  • Get Free Entry 10 San Diego Museums on an Old Town Trolley Tour

Events

  • The Top 6 Events You Won’t Want to Miss This Summer in San Diego
  • San Diego Beer Week, Festivals, and Events: November 2017
  • SANDiego’s 6th Annual Sand Sculpting Competition is Labor Day Weekend
  • Everything You Need to Know about San Diego LGBTQ Pride Parade and Music Festival
  • 6 Fun-Loving Events Spice up Fall in San Diego

Restaurants

  • 8 of the Best Breakfast Spots in San Diego
  • 6 Best Craft Beer Breweries in San Diego
  • 8 San Diego Restaurants That Continue to Stand the Test of Time
  • 21 Favorites for Al Fresco Dining in San Diego
  • Solo in San Diego: Where to Eat, Sleep, and Hang

Tourist Attractions

  • San Diego for First-Time Visitors
  • San Diego on a Rainy Day
  • Eight Things to Do in San Diego in Spring
  • February is Museum Month in San Diego
  • The Holidays at San Diego’s Five Biggest Attractions

Museums

  • February is Museum Month in San Diego
  • Science for Everyone at Fleet Science Center

Trips

  • The Ultimate Guide to Whale Watching in San Diego
  • 3 San Diego Ski & Snowboard Day Trips Where ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’
  • Desert in Bloom: Anza-Borrego Wild Flowers
  • Explore 7 San Diego Seaside Communities by Coaster
  • 7 Day Trips from San Diego

Historic Places

  • Hotel del Coronado from Vision to National Historic Landmark
  • Explore San Diego’s Military History & Heritage This Memorial Day
  • 5 Top Historic Sites in San Diego
  • Chicano Park: From Embattled, Undeveloped Land to National Historic Landmark

Holidays

  • 10 Thanksgiving Dinners to be Grateful for in San Diego
  • Wildlife Camps for Kids during the Holidays
  • A Complete Guide to the Holidays in San Diego
  • Explore San Diego’s Military History & Heritage This Memorial Day
  • The Complete Guide to New Year’s Eve in San Diego

Copyright © 2023 · GoSanDiego.com · Contact Us · Privacy and Cookie Policy