

No organism attached to a surface should be removed by force, however slight. For example, anemones should not be poked and sea hares should not be squeezed. A general guideline is to only touch animals as gently as you would touch your own eyeball. Many tidepool animals can be safely touched as long as it is done with great care and respect. Similarly, approaching or engaging with any marine mammal is prohibited by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. To protect tidepool inhabitants, the following guidelines have been prepared:Ĭollection of any natural item, including living and dead organisms, shells or rocks, is strictly prohibited in any areas within or under the administration of Cabrillo National Monument. To ensure that current and future visitors experience and enjoy the healthy and diverse tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument, guidelines are needed to minimize the human impacts on organisms. If your group numbers less than ten, no permit is required. In order to protect this distinct and delicate ecosystem, Tidepool Permits are required for groups of ten or more to visit the tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument during low tides of 0.7' and lower. Please keep small children close - a child's enthusiasm and excitement over being in this natural wonderland can quickly translate into a slip or tumble.

Sandals or flip flops are strongly discouraged due to their inability to provide a good grip on the slippery rocks. Shoes with good gripping soles are best, as rocky areas become slippery with water and algae. Please plan for appropriate clothing and footwear.
#Tidal pools san diego drivers#
The road is narrow without shoulders and drivers may not see you. We discourage visitors from walking down Cabrillo Road for safety reasons. Please plan your trips to allow for this delay, and thank you for your patience.Ī vehicle is the best way to get to the lower area of the park where the tidepools are located once parked, it's a short walk and scramble down into the tidepools. This temporary closure of the road allows for traffic to flow freely and allows a more pleasant experience for the visitor by reducing the number of people and reducing the damage to the fragile ecosystem. The road to the tidepool area will be closed (usually around 30 minutes) until sufficient capacity in the parking areas becomes available. The road to the tidepools may be closed if the area hits capacity in order to maintain conditions appropriate for social distancing. Otherwise you will not be able to reach anyone, and you may have to hike up the road to the top of the park.
#Tidal pools san diego driver#
If you use a driver for hire for transportation, make arrangements to pick you up at a certain time and location. Please be aware that cell phone service is not available at the tidepools.
