How to safely observe the tide pool ecosystems in La Jolla without damaging marine life.
Early January’s “king” tides brought extreme low tides to La Jolla, along with extreme crowds that prompted locals’ concerns about the impact of human activity on the tide pools.
Photos from La Jolla Shores Jan 3 show hundreds of marine tourists on the tide pools, normally underwater but atypically exposed for several hours due to the negative tide.
Worries flooded social media, with many reporting via Reddit posts that people were touching, taking and trampling the delicate rocks and wildlife.
Similar crowds were reported along San Diego’s coastline from Point Loma to Carlsbad, raising further concern.
Tide pool reminders
Tide pool temptations are many, as there are several examples of La Jolla’s rich ecosystem of marine life exposed during a low tide event. Tide pool visitors must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Do not touch or take animals or plants: Much of La Jolla is a state marine reserve, and there are law-protected spots throughout.
- Watch your step: Shoes and footsteps can damage the animals and their habitats.
- Respect and observe: These creatures hide in the tide pools for safety and the tide pools are in need of conservation.
Click here for more tide pool dos and don’ts.
To experience a more hands-on tide pool, UC San Diego’s Birch Aquarium in La Jolla offers the Preuss Tide Pool Plaza, where you can touch local tide pool creatures and learn more.
