When the tide is low, head out to the rocky, north end of Natural Bridges State Beach to explore the tide pools. Look for sea stars, hermit crabs, sea anemones, sea urchins, and more. So fun!
For more information about Natural Bridges State Beach, visit the California State Parks website… www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541
If you’re here between mid-October and mid-February, be sure to visit the Monarch Preserve, also located within the park (see our visit here… Monarch Butterfly Preserve, Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz). Also, whenever we’re in this area of Santa Cruz, we visit the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, a great little aquarium with touch tanks kids love. I’ll write more about it tomorrow!
hike.wander.wonder 
Thanks for sharing this lovely park. Just a reminder, though: The animals shouldn’t be picked up or they could be harmed. The rangers know how to handle them and will gladly show you the animals up close.
I’m a docent and we learned that the animals are protected by law. Also, please try not to touch the sea anemones as they are being studied and may starve when they get poked at. But please stop by and enjoy the park any time! 🙂
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Yep… we’re in total agreement. We were so lucky to have the naturalist there that day to show us around! It always makes me sad when I see people prying starfish off the rocks and poking at the anemones. I’ve taught my child to look, but not disturb the animals. We’re fortunate to have some great museums in the area where it’s OK to “pet” the sea life (Seymour Marine Discovery Center in Santa Cruz and the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco).
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I feel like a kid again when I’m at the tidepools. 🙂
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Love the tide pools!!!! 🙂
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🙂
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Looks like so much fun. My kids would love that.
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I’m sure they would!
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A lovely recommendation. Thanks for the location details!
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You’re welcome. We love this beach!
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Hi! Your Blog is nice and very interesting.Thanks! I enjoy following your blog! I see you like nature and beauty. I’m an artist.
I adore painting nature, my blog can be interesting for you. Sergey Gusev, painter.
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Thank you! I enjoy the artwork on your blog, too. 🙂
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