By Visit California California’s western border is edged by oceans, bays, and other tidal waterways — all populated with their own colorful residents. Depending on the location, you can see popsicle-orange garibaldi, barking elephant seals, sea lions, or anemones, as well as migrating whales and a skyful of seabirds. The best way to experience these remarkable habitats is to visit one of the state’s 120-plus protected sanctuaries or preserves — not just to see wildlife, but to have fun, too.
“There are places underwater and along the water to play, where you can kayak, scuba dive, surf, tide pool, and watch your kids build sand castles on the beach,” says Rikki Dunsmore, project manager at the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Here are some of Dunsmore’s picks, listed north to south: Ten Mile Beach, Mendocino County You’ll have plenty of use for binoculars at this stretch of rugged, unspoiled coastline that’s home to habitats galore. Roughly 18 miles north of Mendocino, the area actually consists of four reserves, including one of California’s least developed estuaries and one of its longest dune systems.
Whales spout in the Pacific, seals loll along the rocky shore, river otters make their home in the estuary, and more than 90 species of birds live, nest, or make annual migratory stopovers here. Van Damme State Marine Conservation Area, Mendocino County This wild and rocky wonderland is dotted with sea caves, making it a terrific destination for kay.