One day when wandering Treasure Island, a public beach at the base of Montage Resort & Spa in Laguna Beach, I ventured from the sand onto the rocks where I saw a woman wearing a white t-shirt that said "Tidepool Educator". She walked up to me and offered information and a printed guide that included diagrams of things that she pointed out such as purple sea urchins, shore crabs, sea lettuce and sea anemones. The lady wasn't just a good samaritan, but a trained individual whose goal was to help locals and tourists discover the amazing sea life just beneath their feet in the pools of water.

Tidepool areas are located in south Orange County in Newport Beach at Corona Del Mar and Crystal Cove, in Laguna Beach and South Laguna Beach, Salt Creek Beach, Dana Point and Doheny State Beach. Signs usually posted at these beaches state the locations are Marine Protection Areas where you aren't allowed to take or possess sea life.

It's common to see college students at the tidepools (in Corona del Mar especially,) and you'll usually see people get their shoes soaked because the rocks at low tide are quite slippery.

If you love the ocean and want to be more involved, you can take a training course in the Laguna Ocean Foundation program, and become a source of help to others visiting. It's a perfect way to volunteer for those who live nearby and love the sea. lagunaoceanfoundation.org. Read more...>