This Small Town Beach Is Home To California's Best Tide Pools

You don't need to don snorkeling gear to see marine life at this beach - it's as easy as walking to its rocky bluff tide pools.

Tide pools have always been a source of fascination for those interested in marine life. These tiny ecosystems, as temporary as they might be, can play host to a wide range of sea creatures. In California, one needs only to go as far as Highway 1 - the Pacific Coast Highway - in order to see its most treasured tide pool-loving species.

In a small town that's not very well known compared to the larger towns and cities that flank the Pacific Coast Highway sits a rocky beach. Upon first glance, it's clear that this beach is not used for much other than sightseeing and possibly some beachcombing. However, once inspected a bit further, one will find an entire world teeming with marine life, from playful sea otters to tide pool-dwelling critters.

Finding Marine Life In The Cayucos Tide Pools

Those heading to Cayucos State Beach will find a very quaint, narrow strip of beach that sees traffic mostly from locals and visitors from nearby hotels. The desert-like hillsides that surround this beach make for a lovely landscape and one that's quiet and feels far-away from the crowds of most California beaches. While one isn't likely to find tide pools on this flat stretch of beach, a short walk (or very short drive) to Estero Bluffs State Park will reward visitors for their time away from the more sunbathing-friendly beach of Cayucos.

The parking lot at Estero Bluffs State Park is exactly a ten-minute drive from the parking lot of Cayucos State Beach.

This particular area of California is home to kelp forests, many tide pools, and offshore marine life who call it their home. Estero Bluffs, in particular, is the perfect place for nature-loving beach-goers who are eager to get a glimpse at California's local residents - of the creature-kind, that is! Any number of tide pools can be home to the following species:

Sea urchins Mussels Sea stars (starfish variety) Various crab species Sea anemones Limpets Hermit crabs Snails

The best part about it all is that the Pacific Coast Highway is home to 100 miles of land that is protected under state and federal law, along with local law to enforce its guidelines. That's not all this beautiful stretch of rocky shoreline has to offer its visitors, though. Offshore animals, such as sea otters, can usually be seen floating out in the water soaking up the sun's rays or searching for food. Depending on the time of the year, visitors can also see dolphins and sea lions. For those interested in whale-watching, taking the hike up to Whale Trail Viewpoint will be a worthy experience as it grants hikers the best vantage point across the Cayucos coastline.

Related: You Can't Take Glass From Glass Beach, And Other Things To Know About This California Coast

Tips For Visiting Estero Bluffs Tide Pools

The good thing about visiting Estero Bluffs State Park and Cayucos, in general, is that it's not often very crowded. Even during summer, peak season along the California coast, visitors always seem to find a spot all to themselves on any one of the town's three popular beaches. When visiting the state park, one only needs to hike up to the bluff overlook to find several trails that lead down to the rocky shoreline below. The best viewing time for tide pools is, of course, during low tide - this is when marine life often waits out the time between tides in the pools below.

Unique Feature: The Point Estero shipwreck can be seen from the bluffs in the park as well, and has been shipwrecked since 2017.

While tide pools can be found on the other beaches throughout Cayucos, Estero Bluffs is the best place to find pools that are guaranteed to be teeming with life. The Stewardship Travel Program for Highway 1 offers unique tips and advice to visitors who are interested in wildlife viewing:

For tide pools and other wildlife viewpoints in Cayucos, the best times to be present at the beach are during dawn, dusk, and tide changes.  Visitors should remember to remain calm and patient - after all, we are on wildlife time, they're not on ours! Remaining so will also increase the chances of wildlife, such as birds, feeling comfortable enough to make an appearance. When wildlife watching from a kayak or other type of craft, visitors should make as little motion in the water as possible. This means gentler paddle strokes and avoiding ripples or breaks in the water as much as possible, especially when nearing otters, dolphins, or sea lions. Be sure to bring binoculars or a high-zoom camera to catch glimpses of far-off wildlife. Whales also come out when the waters are at their calmest, so this is important to remember for those who are whale-watching. When observing tide pools, remember: look, don't touch! These environments are fragile and the experience is in the observation. This also applies to anything seen on trails - visitors are not permitted to wander from them, either. If you see trash, pick it up - if everyone does their part in keeping the beaches clean, they'll be around for generations to come!

Next: This Sleepy Town Is Home To One Of The Most Underrated Beaches In Southern California

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(Originally posted by Machado)