The picture shows a close-up of a deep red crab with a glossy, wet surface, nestled among some green, grass-like aquatic plants. The crab's shell and claws have a mottled pattern with shades of maroon and spots of white. Its claws are large and one is partially raised, revealing a hint of white from its underside. The background is blurred, focusing attention on the crab's detailed texture and vibrant color.
What is in the Tidepools

What’s in the Tidepools? – January 2024

The picture shows a sea star in its natural habitat, submerged in shallow water. The sea star has a dark, almost black body with contrasting white, circular suckers lining its eight tentacles. The surrounding area is a mix of various marine elements such as rocks, seaweed, and small pools of water reflecting light. The sea star appears to be resting or moving slowly across the seabed, blending with the dark colors of the environment.

What’s In the Tidepools? – January 2024

(NPS Photo/D. Orr)

King tides did not disappoint this month. Lots of visitors and lots of tidepool critters! From Keyhole Limpets to Kelp Crabs to Sea Stars, even baby Sea Hares. Unfortunately, the heavy rains that we received on January 22 caused extensive damage to both the Coastal Trail and the Spur Trail. The entrance to the tidepools however, was quickly repaired by the California Conservation Corps (CCC) since luckily they were at the park anyway, but the Spur Trail remains closed suffering the bulk of the damage.

Here is a sampling of what our volunteers observed during this month — thank you to everyone who contributed. Remember to send in your photos; we truly appreciate sharing them with everyone.

Don’t forget to visit the Tidepool Videos page.

Keyhole Limpets were very prevalent this month.

The keyhole limpet uses its rasping tongue, called a radula, to scrape algae off tough rocks. The radula is the world’s strongest biological structure – it has to be to constantly scrape algae off the rocks without wearing away.

The picture shows a close-up of a tidepool. There is a large sea creature, which appears to be a sea snail or similar mollusk, with a prominent, spiraled shell in the center. The shell has various shades of brown and tan with distinct, concentric growth lines. The creature's body is partially visible, with a greyish tone and a fleshy texture. Surrounding the snail are rocks and marine vegetation, possibly seaweed or algae, in shades of brown and purple. The overall impression is of a small, diverse ecosystem with the snail as a focal point.
NPS Photo/T. Woods – Giant Keyhole Limpet
The picture shows a close-up of a rocky tidepool area. There is a large, round, open shell attached to a oval shaped flat snail in the center. The shell is grayish with concentric rings and a small hole near the center.
NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen – Keyhole Limpet
The image shows a close-up of a black and tan sea creature, which appears to be a sea snail, nestled among wet rocks. The snail's shell has a glossy black exterior and a tan interior with a circular opening through which the snail's body is partially visible. The surrounding rocks are various shades of brown and green, with some patches of algae, and there are small puddles of water reflecting light.
NPS Photo/D. Hunt – Giant Keyhole Limpet
The picture shows a close-up of a tidepool. There is a large, orange snail clinging to the underside of a rock covered with dark, wet seaweed. The snail is partially submerged in clear, shallow water, and its body is plump and appears soft, with a velvety texture. The rock surface above the snail is rugged and encrusted with various marine life, including barnacles and smaller patches of seaweed. The water is calm, and the bottom of the pool is visible, consisting of smaller rocks and pebbles. The colors are rich and vibrant, with the orange of the snail contrasting against the dark hues of the wet rock and seaweed.
NPS Photo/D. Wieder – Giant Keyhole Limpet

Kelp Crabs have a diverse diet, feeding on a variety of food sources including kelp, algae, small invertebrates, and even detritus.

If a kelp crab loses a claw or a leg due to predation or injury, it can regenerate a new one during subsequent molting cycles.

The picture shows a close-up of a deep red crab with a glossy, wet surface, nestled among some green, grass-like aquatic plants. The crab's shell and claws have a mottled pattern with shades of maroon and spots of white. Its claws are large and one is partially raised, revealing a hint of white from its underside. The background is blurred, focusing attention on the crab's detailed texture and vibrant color.
NPS Photo/M. Rose – Kelp Crab
The picture shows a dark red crab partially submerged in shallow water. It is nestled among some green grass-like plants and there are some rocks nearby. The crab's body and legs are visible, and it appears to be resting or hiding in this natural environment.
NPS Photo/D. Hunt – Kelp Crab
The picture shows a large, red crab lying among green, grass-like plants, possibly by a body of water. The crab's shell has a deep, rich red color, and its legs are spread out around its body. The plants appear to be wet, suggesting the crab might be near or in a shallow pool of water. The sunlight seems to be shining on the scene, giving the crab's wet shell a glossy appearance.
NPS Photo/M. Rose – Kelp Crab
The picture shows a vibrant red crab on a sandy seabed with patches of green seaweed around it. The water is shallow and clear, allowing a good view of the crab and the surrounding underwater vegetation. The crab's body and claws are prominent, and it appears to be in a natural habitat.
NPS Photo/D. Orr – Kelp Crab

Once again Sea Stars did not disappoint in the tidepools.

On one day VIP Dave found a trifecta of sea stars, finding Bat Stars, a Knobby Star and a Fragile Rainbow Star!

The picture shows a tidepool scene with various marine life. The most prominent feature is a purple sea star with numerous small, circular, white-ringed, pink and blue suction cups on its arms, which are spread out over a rock. The rock surface is wet and covered with patches of barnacles, seaweed, and other small sea creatures. There's a clear pool of water reflecting light, surrounded by the textured, sandy rock surface in shades of brown and beige. The overall impression is of a vibrant, diverse tidepool ecosystem.
NPS Photo/T. Woods – Knobby Sea Star
The picture shows a sea star submerged in shallow water. It is surrounded by rocks and some aquatic plants. The sea star is mostly a pale beige color with small speckles of brown and white. The texture appears slightly bumpy. The water is clear, allowing a good view of the sea star and the sandy bottom beneath it. The sunlight is reflecting off the water's surface, creating a sparkling effect.
NPS Photo/T. Woods – Bat Star
The picture shows a shallow body of water with clear visibility to the sandy bottom. There is a vibrant orange sea star near the center, resting on a rock partially covered with small barnacles. To the left, green seagrass is submerged in water, and various small rocks and pebbles are scattered across the sandy floor. The water appears calm, and there are no visible creatures other than the sea star. The overall atmosphere is serene and natural.
NPS Photo/P. Raetzman – Bat Star
The picture shows a sea star resting on a sandy seabed with some pebbles and aquatic plants. The sea star has a central body with five elongated arms radiating outwards. Its body is a pale pinkish color with small, lighter spots, and each arm has rows of tiny, lighter-colored spines along its length. The surrounding area has a mix of small stones, shells, and bits of seaweed, with the water appearing clear and calm.
NPS Photo/M. Rose – Esmark’s Brittle Star
The picture shows a sea star resting on a sandy and rocky seabed. The sea star has a central disc body with five long, slender arms radiating outwards. The color of the sea star is a pale pinkish-brown, and its surface appears slightly textured. The seabed has a mix of sand, small rocks, and bits of seagrass. There are also a few small shells scattered around. The water is clear, allowing a good view of the sea star and its surroundings.
NPS Photo/M. Rose – Esmark’s Brittle Star
The picture shows a sea star in its natural habitat, submerged in shallow water. The sea star has a dark, almost black body with contrasting white, circular suckers lining its eight tentacles. The surrounding area is a mix of various marine elements such as rocks, seaweed, and small pools of water reflecting light. The sea star appears to be resting or moving slowly across the seabed, blending with the dark colors of the environment.
NPS Photo/D. Orr – Knobby Sea Star
The picture shows a tidepool nestled among rocks. The water is clear, revealing the rocky bottom and various marine life. There's sea star in the center with its arms spread out, camouflaged against the dark rocks. Surrounding the sea star are patches of sea anemones and small sea creatures. The sunlight reflects off the water's surface, creating a shimmering effect.
NPS Photo/D. Orr – Fragile Rainbow Star
The picture shows a close-up of a rocky shoreline with a sea star. The water is clear, allowing a view of the submerged rocks and seaweed beneath the surface. Sunlight reflects off the water, creating a sparkling effect.
NPS Photo/D. Orr – Fragile Rainbow Star
The picture shows a sea star submerged in shallow water. The sea star is centered in the image and has a classic five-arm shape. Its color is a mix of light purple and white with small speckles. The sea star is resting on a bed of seagrass, which has long, thin, green blades that spread across the image. The water is clear, allowing a good view of the sea star and the seagrass. There are also small bubbles and ripples in the water, indicating gentle movement.
NPS Photo/D. Orr – Bat Star
The image shows a sea star resting on a rocky seabed covered with various marine plants. The sea star has a rich orange color with hints of a lighter shade along its arms. The texture appears slightly bumpy, typical of sea star skin. Surrounding the sea star are patches of purple and reddish-brown seaweed, interspersed with some green algae. The water is clear, allowing a good view of the sea star and the colorful underwater vegetation.
NPS Photo/D. Orr – Bat Star

Along with observing Black Sea Hares, VIPs Sue and Denine both observed baby California Sea Hares. They were about 2 inches in length.

The picture shows a rock pool with clear water. In the center, there is a large, dark-colored sea hare surrounded by various types of seaweed. The sea hare has a bumpy texture and is covered in small, white speckles. The surrounding seaweed includes long, brown strands and some green, leafy varieties. The bottom of the pool is visible and appears to be covered with a mix of pink coral-like structures and other marine vegetation. The sunlight is reflecting off the water's surface, creating a sparkling effect.
NPS Photo/T. Woods – Black Sea Hare
The picture shows a shallow body of water with a sandy bottom. There is a dark, slug-like sea creature in the center, which is a sea hare. The water is clear, allowing visibility of the sandy bottom speckled with small rocks and bits of seagrass. On the bottom left corner, there's a human finger, likely the photographer's, partially submerged in the water.
NPS Photo/D. Hunt – Baby Sea Hare
The picture shows a small, red sea hare, resting on sandy underwater terrain with subtle ripples. The sand is speckled with various small particles, giving it a textured appearance. There are also thin, green seagrass strands extending across the scene. The sunlight filters through the water, creating a dappled effect on the sand.
NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen – Baby California Sea Hare
The image shows a rock formation with a large, oval-shaped hole in the center. Inside the hole, there are several chiton mollusks clinging to the surface. The chitons have a distinctive appearance with their overlapping armored plates, which are grayish-white with some brownish stripes. The rock around the hole is brown and has a smooth, worn texture, likely from water erosion. The surrounding area has some patches of pinkish-red algae or marine organisms, and the entire scene is glistening with moisture, suggesting it is near or within a tidal zone.
NPS Photo/D. Orr – Conspicuous Chiton
The picture shows a close-up of an abalone attached to a rock. The abalone has a conical shell with various shades of brown and some marine growth on its surface, indicating it's been in the water for some time. The rock surface appears wet and is glistening in the sunlight, with some seaweed fragments nearby.
NPS Photo/P. Geisler – Red Abalone
The picture shows a close-up of a tidepool. There is a large, orange snail clinging to the underside of a rock covered with dark, wet seaweed. The snail is partially submerged in clear, shallow water, and its body is plump and appears soft, with a velvety texture. The rock surface above the snail is rugged and encrusted with various marine life, including barnacles and smaller patches of seaweed. The water is calm, and the bottom of the pool is visible, consisting of smaller rocks and pebbles. The colors are rich and vibrant, with the orange of the snail contrasting against the dark hues of the wet rock and seaweed.
NPS Photo/D. Wieder – Giant Keyhole Limpet
The picture shows a tidepool scene with a vibrant sea slug at its center. The slug has a bright purple and orange body, with delicate tentacles that are splayed out around it, suggesting it is underwater. The rock surface around the anemone is uneven and covered with various marine life, including green algae and smaller, rounded, olive-green sea plants that could be a type of seaweed or anemone. The water appears clear, and sunlight is reflecting off the wet surfaces, creating a sparkling effect.
NPS Photo/D. Orr – Spanish Shawl
The picture shows a clear underwater scene. In the center, there is a reddish-pink sea anemone with delicate, petal-like tentacles radiating out from its center. Surrounding the anemone are thin, green seagrass blades that sway in the water. The seabed is visible with a mix of sand and small pebbles in various shades of beige, pink, and gray.
NPS Photo/D. Hunt – Brooding Anemone
The picture shows a tidepool with various sea creatures and plants. There are several sea anemones with their tentacles retracted, exposing their patterned, circular bases. One anemone, in particular, is fully expanded, displaying long, greenish-blue tentacles radiating from its center. The surrounding area is covered with pinkish-brown algae and chiton snails. The water is clear, allowing a view of the sandy bottom and the life within.
NPS Photo/D. Hunt – Conspicuous Chiton and Solitary Anemone
The image shows a close-up of a black and tan sea creature, which appears to be a sea snail, nestled among wet rocks. The snail's shell has a glossy black exterior and a tan interior with a circular opening through which the snail's body is partially visible. The surrounding rocks are various shades of brown and green, with some patches of algae, and there are small puddles of water reflecting light.
NPS Photo/D. Hunt – Giant Keyhole Limpet
The picture shows a sea urchin submerged in shallow water. It has a round body with numerous slender, pointy spines radiating outwards. The spines are a reddish-purple color. The sea urchin is resting on a sandy bottom with small pebbles, bits of seashells, and some aquatic plants. The water appears clear, allowing a good view of the sea urchin and the seabed.
NPS Photo/D. Hunt – Red Sea Urchin
The picture shows a close-up of a brown sea snail, on a rocky surface covered with wet seaweed. The snail has an oval-shaped body with a textured, ridge-like surface. The surrounding seaweed is in shades of dark red and green, creating a natural, oceanic backdrop.
NPS Photo/M. Rose – Ida’s Mitre
The image shows a close-up of a natural, rough surface with various textures and colors. There is a prominent yellow, sponge-like substance that appears to be some kind of organic growth, possibly a type of fungus or coral. It has a lumpy and irregular shape. Below this yellow substance, the surface is more granular and earth-toned, with hints of purple and white, which could be minerals or another type of organic material. The overall appearance is quite raw and unrefined, suggesting a natural outdoor setting, possibly underwater or a damp environment where such organisms thrive.
NPS Photo/P. Geisler – Yellow Umbrella Slug
The photo captures a clear blue sky with four pelicans in flight. They are positioned in a staggered formation, with one bird higher and leading the other three that are aligned diagonally below it. In the lower part of the image, there's a hill with sparse vegetation and a small structure on top.
NPS Photo/T. Woods – California Brown Pelicans
The picture shows a marine creature, likely a snail, on a rocky surface with some marine vegetation. The snail has a glossy, translucent shell with swirls of brown, orange, and white colors. The body of the snail is partially visible, with a dark, textured surface that could be its head or foot, extending from the opening of the shell. The surrounding area has bits of white and beige, which could be other marine life or shells, and the overall setting suggests a tidepool or shallow coastal area.
NPS Photo/M. Rose – Chestnut Cowrie
The picture shows a washed out hiking trail. The trail has reddish-brown soil and a trickle of water running through it. Piles of blue-gray stones are scattered at the bottom of the gully, possibly placed there to prevent further erosion. In the background, there are people walking on an undamaged part of the path, and the landscape is hilly with green vegetation.
NPS Photo/A. Rosales – Erosion to Coastal Trail
The image shows a damaged pathway with a deep erosion on one side. A wooden beam is placed across the eroded area, supported by a concrete block on one end and blue gravel on the other. The pathway is bordered by a simple rope fence on both sides, leading towards a natural, grassy area. The ground appears muddy and wet, suggesting recent rain or water flow contributing to the erosion.
NPS Photo/A. Rosales – Erosion to Coastal Trail
The picture shows a sea slug, on a textured surface that resembles a rock or coral with various small holes or indentations. The sea slug has a smooth, elongated body with a reddish-brown color and is dotted with numerous tiny, lighter speckles. It has a pair of tentacle-like structures on one end, which are probably sensory organs. The background is blurred, focusing attention on the sea slug.
NPS Photo/M. Rose – Yellow-gilled sea goddess
The image shows a large, irregularly shaped rock embedded with numerous fossilized shells. The rock is on the ground, half on soil and half on lush green grass. The sunlight casts a warm glow on the scene, highlighting the textures of the rock and the surrounding vegetation.
NPS Photo/P. Raetzman – Embedded Shells
The picture shows an octopus camouflaged among rocks and seaweed in a shallow pool of water. The octopus has a mottled brown and tan skin that blends with the surrounding environment. Its body and tentacles are partially obscured by the reddish-brown seaweed. The rocks in the pool vary in color from dark grey to light brown. The water appears clear, and you can see the texture of the rocks and pebbles at the bottom of the pool.
NPS Photo/M. Rose – Two spot Octopus
The picture shows a white egret standing by the water's edge. It has a slender neck, a pointed yellow beak, and long black legs with yellow feet. The bird is surrounded by rocks covered with brownish seaweed. Its reflection is visible in the calm water. The setting appears to be a tranquil coastal area with no visible human activity.
NPS Photo/M. Rose – Snowy Egret
The picture shows a rocky surface with a crab. The rocks have a rough texture and are covered in patches of green moss.
NPS Photo/T. Woods – Rock Shore Crab
The picture shows a sea anemone nestled in a tidepool surrounded by rocks. The anemone is open, displaying its vibrant green tentacles with blueish-purple tips, which are gently splayed out in the water. The rocks around it are covered in various shades of brown and pink algae or barnacles, adding texture to the scene. There's also some yellowish seaweed in the bottom left corner, contrasting with the purple algae. The water is clear, allowing a view of the sandy bottom of the pool.
NPS Photo/T. Woods – Solitary Anemone
The picture shows an underwater scene with a vibrant pink sea slug at the center. It has numerous slender tentacles radiating out from its center, giving it a soft, feathery appearance. The slug is attached to a rock covered with various shades of brown and pink algae or coral. The water appears clear, and there's a hint of a greenish-brown seaweed in the top left corner, slightly out of focus. The overall impression is of a small, colorful, and tranquil marine habitat.
NPS Photo/T. Woods – Hopkins Rose
The picture shows a panoramic view of a coastal city skyline under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, there's a lush greenery of shrubs and bushes. The middle ground reveals a calm blue bay with a small sailboat and a sandy shoreline. The background is dominated by a dense cluster of various high-rise buildings, with a few scattered clouds above them. The city appears bustling and modern, with the ocean providing a natural contrast to the urban environment.
NPS Photo/T. Woods – Scenic View
The picture shows a crab peeking out from a narrow crevice between two layers of rock. The focus is on the crab's front, including its eyes on stalks and its two large claws with black-tipped pincers. The rocks have a rough texture and there's a hint of green, possibly algae, on the lower rock surface. The background is mostly obscured by the darkness of the crevice.
NPS Photo/T. Woods – Rock Shore Crab

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