Exploring Tide Pools In The Santa Barbara Area
To many, the sea life below the ocean's surface is a mystery, but when the tide is right, dramatic ebbs can expose amazing tide pools for all to explore. In the Santa Barbara area there are a number of outstanding locations to go tide-pooling. Here are just a few of the best:
Coal Oil Point
One of the area's largest and most diverse tide pools lies just about 15 minutes north of downtown Santa Barbara. Coal Oil Point features a sizable boulder field with a few larger rocky areas. You can expect lots of green and brown algae, as this area is calmer than other exposed areas. The higher rocky outcrops have plenty of large mussels covered by small acorn barnacles. Depending on the time of year and weather conditions you might discover sea anemones, mussels, keyhole limpets, and turban snails. With a bit of luck and a trained eye, you might also find sea hares, purple urchins, kelp crabs, and more.
Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry's)
This popular stretch of sand located just north of Santa Barbara's Mesa neighborhood has it all. There is an upscale restaurant, an off-leash dog area, and when the tide is extra low, a nice stretch of rocky tide pools. Sea anemones and sea snails are common, and if you are lucky, you might also discover starfish and other interesting creatures. Offshore is also a good place to see dolphins swimming.
Tide Pools Down South
A couple of popular tide pool areas south of Santa Barbara include some nice rocky pools at Carpinteria State Beach and a bit further south, more tide-pooling opportunities at the world-famous surf spot Rincon Beach.
Indoor Tide Pool Experiences
If the weather and tides are not right for outdoor tide pool adventures, you can still experience the thrill of marine biology exploration at Santa Barbara's Museum of Natural History Sea Center on Stearns Wharf. Another great tide pool touch tank can be found at the University of California at Santa Barbara campus point. The UCSB exhibit is open to the public Friday and Saturday and is always free of charge.
What to bring to a Santa Barbara tide pool
The right footwear matters more than people expect. Tide pool rocks are slippery, and many of them around Santa Barbara are covered in beach tar from natural oil seeps offshore. Old sneakers or close-fitting water sandals (Tevas, Chacos) are the move. Save the flip flops for the beach itself.
Here is what experienced tide-poolers in Santa Barbara keep in their bag:
- A pack of Oil Slick Beach Tar Remover Wipes. The non-negotiable one. Your feet, your hands, the bottoms of your shoes, and anything you handle will pick up tar. The wipes are biodegradable bamboo, pre-soaked with a plant-based formula, and the 20-pack fits in a tote or jacket pocket. Made in Santa Barbara.
- Polarized sunglasses. Cut the glare so you can actually see into the pools.
- A wide-brim hat. Low-tide hours often coincide with peak sun.
- A small towel. For drying off after the wipes, or for your kids.
- Reef-safe sunscreen. Whatever rinses off goes into the ecosystem you are visiting.
- A printed or screenshotted tide chart. Cell service is spotty at some of these spots.
If you would rather pick up the wipes in person, you can find them at the Santa Barbara retailers we work with, including Surf N Wear Beach House, Isla Vista Market, Tri-County Produce, and the Ritz Carlton gift shop.
Tide Pool Etiquette
Tide pools are delicate ecosystems. Treating them with respect is essential to preserving them for everyone who wants to enjoy them. A few rules to live by:
- Step on bare rock rather than on a living organism wherever possible.
- Explore from the edge of a tide pool rather than venturing into the water. Better viewing, less disturbance.
- Turn over only small rocks, and do so gently. Many animals shelter against the bottom of the rock or dart underneath when uncovered.
- Wet your hand with seawater before touching or holding an animal exposed by the tide.
- Replace the rock carefully when you are done. Also replace seaweed and other cover.
- Look and study, but do not take anything home.
- Touch animals only as gently as you would your own eyeball. Anemones should not be poked. Sea hares should not be squeezed.
Final Thoughts
1. Check the tide tables
Tide tables are fairly simple to read. You can find them at park sites or online from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Most tables show the time and the height of each day's two highest and lowest tides. The lower the number, the lower the tide. Negative numbers are what you are looking for when tide-pooling. "Extreme low tide" refers to tides that approach or go below -2 feet, which usually happens in late spring and summer.
2. Keep an eye on the ocean
Just as the tide goes out, it will come back in. As you explore, keep an eye on the surf and start heading inland when it begins to rise. Even at low tide, never turn your back on the ocean.
Happy tide-pooling.
Grab a 20-pack of Oil Slick Beach Tar Remover Wipes for your next tide pool trip →
