Cabrillo Tide Pools

Located on the west side of Point Loma is an inter-tidal zone that provides a fascinating look into sea life and the delicate ecosystem of the beach area. The best time to visit is during low tide when the pools form in the depressions by the rocks. This allows visitors to view creatures like anemones, spongy deadman's fingers, and octopi. The creatures that live in these pools will cause people no harm, but it is easy for humans to cause damage just by touching the creatures, so if you visit, keep your hands to yourself. Poaching is a problem at the park and if rangers catch you touching or taking an of the sea creatures, you will be asked to leave. It is also important to tread carefully on the algae-covered rocks which can become very slippery. There are volunteers in the area and at the nearby aquarium that will instruct visitors on having a safe visit. The park visitor center provides a slide program and ranger walks during most of the low tides. The nearby Cabrillo Marine Aquarium has been welcoming visitors since 1935 and offers additional education and sea life experiences for those visiting the area. The collection and exhibits at the aquarium include an Exploration Center, an Aquatic Nursery, the Susanne Lawrenz-Miller Exhibit Hall, and the Virginia Reid Moore Marine Research Library.