Looking For Kelp Info

Last year the kelp was as thicker than I have ever seen it.
I am sure it was a combo of lack of storms, upwelling and an abundance of sunlight.
I have not seen a north coast beach in months.
Are the beaches choked with kelp? Is the kelp still thick? Is it all washed ashore and rotting?
Just trying to get an idea of what it is like right now and what it will be like when the time comes to get in.
Anyone? Bueller?? Bueller???

Bull kelp is an annual plant/alga.  It generally dies out after one season and is replaced by a new crop that comes up in early summer.  This year there is still a lot of last year's crop out in front of the Mendo - Fort Bragg area, but the storms have cleared out a bunch.  But we really haven't had any major storms, so there's more than normal for this time of the year.

By April, I expect there to be less than now, but more than normal for most Aprils (which is almost none).