tide pools

anyone know of any good tide pools with in a short drive of the bay area?
was looking to take my wife for a ride this weekend and we both like to wander through the tide pools and check stuff out.

http://www.fitzgeraldreserve.org/

While you're there, I recommend having brunch at the http://www.mossbeachdistillery.com/

Fitzgerald is great for tide pool walking/observing. Opposite Pajaro Dunes, North of Monterey, there is great tide pooling just off the highway. Lot's of Hermit Crabs in Limpet shells among the rocks and lots of starfish--my daughters have had endless hours of play there until they finally get too cold and need to stop.

I love the pools at Natural Bridges state beach here in Santa Cruz.  I've found octopus, polychetes, and all sorts of fun tegula there over the years.

Awesome tidepools at Arched Rock Beach and even better ones at Shell Beach.

Both are about three miles north of Bodega Bay. The jetty at Doran is actually pretty cool, too - and you all can fish from it while you're there since no license is required!

There's at least a half dozen easy access tidepools along HWY 1 between HMB and Santa Cruz.  We've poked around Pescadero and Pigeon Point quite a bit, Bean Hollow has some cool stuff and decent shore fishing.  Either way its an awesome drive and you can go to several different spots.

I second bean hollow.  Watch out for the surf and wear waterproof boots with good traction though.  (or neoprene booties)

great spot for poke poling Monkey Face eels......

Right below the Moss Beach Distillery...

How low of a tide do you need to poke poling this place?

-Allen

this is as low as it gets - definitely hit it if you can get into an early morning low tide. The pic looks like it was taken later in the afternoon.

The rocky shoreline beach facing Mavericks is another good spot. There are also some nice tide pools in this area.

Joel, have you ever caught a monkey face eel with a poke pole?
I've never seen one, but then again, I haven't tried poke poling.

We get 'em on rod and reel all the time at the Doran Jetty. Just drop some bait down into every little crevice and sooner or later you'll get nailed. My buddies and I have gotten 'em close to 4' long and weighing over 5lbs.

I'm not much of a fish eater, but eel is delicious. I'ved had grilled, BBQ'ed, and baked. All were good. I bet deep fried is amazing.

Keep in mind that a decent sized one is probably 10 or 12 years old, though.

Joel, have you ever caught a monkey face eel with a poke pole?
I've never seen one, but then again, I haven't tried poke poling.

Yep - About 5 years ago - before I had my kayak. My Hawaiian buddy and I used to poke pole in the areas I've mentioned. I still have my pole and I made a few more - let me know if you want to try it. All you need are waders, strips of squid, gloves(these guys are slimey), hemostats, a small game bag and your license. It's funny that I've been checked more by the DFG poke poling than fishing.

I'm not much of a fish eater, but eel is delicious. I'ved had grilled, BBQ'ed, and baked. All were good. I bet deep fried is amazing

Hey Dustin - how about a recipe on eel???

So is the 3:20PM low tide (+1.3)  tomorrow low enough.  The girlfriend wanted to go to the beach/HMB which usually involves a stop at the nursery and Moss Beach Distillery.  Hmmm ... I'm wondering how a stop at Ono Hawaiian and to the tide pools (with poke pole in hand) would go over?

-Allen

the afternoon wind swells may suck but I have another spot that is protected. I will forward you that info. If you need a pole, let me know. I'd join you if I could but I'll be taking a newbie bass fishing tomorrow at Lexington.