August 22, 2022

Temperature: 70 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 3.5 feet.

Number of people: 45. Walking or running: 20. Playing in surf: 10. Playing in sand: 10. Sitting: 20. Other Activities: Many people were hiking the many trails in Shore Acres State Park. Approximately 20 people were picnicking and sunning themselves at Simpson Beach. There was a steady stream of visitors to Simpson Reef Overlook..

The biggest attraction here is the large number of marine mammals visible from the Simpson Reef Overlook. Many hundreds of California and stellar sea lions, harbor seals, and elephant seals were lounging on the rocky islands offshore or swimming nearby. The California sea lions were making a big racket, audible over a mile away at the main parking area and largely drowning out the calls of the stellars and seals. There are also many cormorants and gulls here. Growing afternoon fog at the Overlook made it difficult to identify specific mammals and make accurate counts. There were two 30-40' boats and two smaller boats near the rookery, possibly with scientists doing research.

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces. Except at Simpson Beach, the shore here is rocky and inaccessible, though some parts can be observed from the hiking trails along the cliffs. The shoreline seemed very clean of human debris, with only driftwood, seaweed, and a few shell bits (at Simpson Beach) visible.