Mile 188 - Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area - July 21, 2023

Report Details

It was another beautiful day at Mile 188. 15-20 seals were resting on the rocks west of the parking area, and two juveniles were frolicking just south of the rocks. Many sea stars and green anenomes were visible in the low-tide areas of the north beach; few were visible on the south beach, possibly because of the extensive sea grass blooms that have occurred there recently. Many gulls were visible, along with nesting pigeon guillemots, several ravels, two osprey, and two blue herons. Erosion of the bluffs above the north and south beaches has been extensive, threatening to undermine highway 101 and the Strawberry Hill parking lot in places. And erosion of the paths down from the parking area has created dangerous conditions for visitors trying to access the south beach.

Conditions

Temperature: 57 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 1.8 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 25. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 25. Playing in surf: 5. Playing in sand: 10. Sitting: 5. Photography: 2. Tidepooling: 10. Some people were getting too close to seals resting on the rocks.

Concerns

Disturbances: Disturbance/harassment of marine mammals

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 16.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces. The beaches here are very clean.

Natural Changes

Landslides/major boulder falls, Major cracks appearing in bluffs, Newly exposed roots/trees falling. Erosion of the bluffs overlooking the north and south beaches remains quite substantial, though there has not been much change in recent months. Considerable erosion of sand on the north and south beaches has continued to occur recently, changing the topography of the beaches.