Those of us who grew up near the sea can’t think of the beach without including the wonderful tide pools. These life-filled pools are captivating for both adults and children all year round. From anemones to sea urchins and crabs, in these salty corners, you can encounter incredible forms of wildlife without having to visit an aquarium or a zoo. That’s why, for those who love exploring the outdoors, today we’ll go over the 10 best spots where you can find a tide pool near Los Angeles.
1. Thousand Steps Beach, Laguna Beach
Descend 250 steps through a plant-filled tunnel to reach Thousand Steps Beach. At the bottom, you’ll find white sands, cliffs, tide pools, and a cave to explore. The steep staircase is challenging, especially in the heat, even under tree shade. Reaching the tide pools requires bravery and can be risky. Despite the effort, this hidden gem is worth the trip.
📍 Location: 9th Ave & Pacific Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
2. Leo Carrillo State Park, Malibu
©2018, California State Parks. Photo by Brian Baer
This spot is a beloved classic for both locals and tourists. It’s the perfect backdrop for a romantic date or capturing that Instagram-worthy sunset photo. Known for having some of the best tide pools in Los Angeles, it has also been featured in amazing movies.
The park features two beach areas near the visitor center, North Beach and South Beach. Between them lies Sequit Point, an area with rocky cliffs, caves, and tunnels. At low tide, it’s a great place to explore and discover sea stars and other marine life.
📍 Location: 35000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
3. Malaga Cove Beach, Palos Verdes Estates
Parking is available near the intersection of Paseo Del Mar and Via Arroyo. From there, access Malaga Cove via the Malaga Cove Trail, which starts on the north side of the lot. When the trail reaches the base of the bluff, you can either turn right to reach the sandy beach or head left to explore the rocky shoreline, which features tide pools, diving sites, and Haggerty’s, a left-hand surf break.
📍 Location: 600 Via Horcada, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
4. Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Beach
Crystal Cove State Park offers four prime spots for exploring tide pools: Reef Point, Rocky Bight, Pelican Point, and Treasure Cove. Conveniently located off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, the park is easily accessible from I-5, 405, and 73. A scenic drive along Route 1, which passes right by the park.
📍 Location: 8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (The park entrance is near this address)
5. Golden Cove Beach, Palos Verdes
The absence of a sandy beach results in numerous rocky pools to explore. The trail descending from the parking lot can be uneven and exposed in spots. The largest tide pools are located on the north side of the cove and are easily visible from the bluff at the top of the trail.
📍 Location: 2800 Palos Verdes Dr S, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
6. White Point Beach, San Pedro
Due to its secluded and distinctive location, White Point Beach features tide pools teeming with diverse plant and animal life. You can find these tide pools by the large rocks near the sand. At low tide, explore the numerous rock formations, which often conceal fascinating sea creatures. This spot is one of the best tide pools near Los Angeles.
📍 Location: 1600 W Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro, CA 90731
7. Dana Point Tide Pools, Doheny State Beach
For a more educational experience, the Ocean Institute at Dana Point offers 2-hour tide pool hikes led by naturalists in the Marine Conservation area. The Visitor Center is open Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 Location: 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629
8. El Matador State Beach, Malibu
Located on Pacific Coast Highway, just north of Zuma and south of La Piedra and El Pescador State Beaches, El Matador Beach is a great spot for tide pool exploration near Los Angeles. Access the parking lot entrance off PCH, south of Encinal Canyon Rd. This location is better suited for older kids, as the route from the parking lot to the beach involves a steep path and some stairs.
📍 Location: 32350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
9. Point Fermin Park Beach, San Pedro
Point Fermin Beach lies below the sloping bluffs of Point Fermin Park and the Lighthouse in San Pedro. While this beach lacks sand, it offers excellent tide pools and opportunities for beachcombing. From the west end of the park along Paseo Del Mar, two paths lead to the rocky shoreline.
📍 Location: 807 W Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro, CA 90731
10. Abalone Cove Shoreline, Palos Verdes
The park includes three distinct beaches: Abalone Cove, Sacred Cove, and Portuguese Bend Cove. Ech with its own tide pools. Several trails connect the parking lot to these beaches. Sacred Cove and Portuguese Bend, located below an archery range, are more remote and tend to be less crowded. At the ends of the points between the coves, you can explore sea caves and tunnels.
📍 Location: 5970 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
What’s the best time of the year to see tide pools?
The ideal time to explore these fascinating ecosystems near Los Angeles, is from fall to winter (October through March), when low tides occur during daylight and the water is usually clear. During this period, you can discover a diverse range of sea creatures in the tide pools, including vividly colored starfish, anemones, crabs, shrimp, and other small marine life.
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What’s the best time of the day to see tide pools?
The best time for tide pooling is during low tide, when the tide recedes and exposes the rocky shoreline. To ensure that you’ll encounter a low tide during your visit, check the NOAA website in advance.
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What to wear when visiting a tide pool?
Tide pools often have rocky and wet surfaces, so it’s important to wear footwear that provides good traction. Water shoes are the best option, while we strongly advise avoiding sandals or flip-flops, as they can get slippery.
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Why you shouldn’t touch the tide pools?
It might be tempting to take home “souvenirs” like rocks and seashells, but these items are integral to the tide pool’s ecosystem and should remain where they are. It’s crucial to respect the delicate balance between marine life and its environment. Always enjoy exploring the tide pools, but leave everything as you found it.
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