Tide Pools in Orange County
- Natalya Rogers
- Oct 14, 2020
- 2 min read
When visiting the tide pools, make sure you are careful when exploring. It’s a good idea to wear shoes, and remember, collecting sea animals and rocks are prohibited. Be gentle when touching the animals.
It is REALLY IMPORTANT to check the tide before you go, or else you may find a beach covered with water and no rocks to explore in sight.
We went to Crystal Cove- Link Crystal Cove-Reef Point
Where to find tide pools:
(Click the blue link for more info)
( Pacific Coast Highway – between Corona Del Mar and Laguna Beach)Reef Point, Rocky Bight, Pelican Point, north end of Treasure Cove are the best places to explore here. You can park in the beach’s parking lots for $15 per day.
(Corner of Ocean and Poppy – enter from Marguerite and Pacific Coast Hwy) Located at the bottom of a small hill, you will find a small beach with tide pools flanking both sides. restrooms are located halfway down the hill, and lifeguards patrol the beach during summer hours only. Street parking is available for no charge, but can be hard to find during busy times.
(Cliff Drive & Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach) A small beach hidden off of main beach located within the Laguna State Beach Marine Preserve. it’s one of the local favorites for tide pools and snorkeling/diving. The waters are clear here and you are sure to find anemones, sea critters, starfish and even rays and sharks.
(located where Cliff Drive intercepts North Coast Highway) This beach is a sandy stretch with rocky areas at the north and south ends. off the north point there is a large rock about 120 yards off shore called Seal Rock because of the seals and sea lions that take refuge there. It’s often closed due to high tide and it’s dangerous rocks.
(Wesley & Pacific Coast Hwy – Laguna Beach) This is one of the hidden gems of Orange County, and a bit of a hike to get to. There is only one small public parking lot off Wesly Dr. (Parking is horrible) or you can park on the street on the north side of PCH up the hill. To get to the beach, follow the sidewalk path that runs along the front of the Montage Resort, past the main hotel’s beach. north of that beach you will find a stairway leading down to the small tide pool flanked beach. The cliffside views of this beach are breathtaking.
(Cliff Drive & Pacific Coast Hwy – Laguna Beach) This is a little hidden gem of Orange County north of main beach in Laguna. parking is metered at the park above the beach on the cliffs. Stairs lead down to a small rocky cove beach. Be sure to watch the tides here as it comes up quickly here, and you can get trapped. be careful bring small kids here because it is rocky. This beach is full of character and has great views and trails to explore.
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