Mile 188 - Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area - March 21, 2020

Report Details

This mile of Coast was very busy at the access points on what was to be the first weekend of Spring Break. The hard to get to stretches remained quiet and magnificent, as always. People were for the most part respectful of each other and the setting. I was surprised at how little plastic, styrofoam, and other evidence of human produced litter was evident on this visit.

Conditions

Temperature: 52 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 2.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 31. Number of dogs: 5. Walking or running: 14. Playing in surf: 1. Playing in sand: 3. Sitting: 2. Tidepooling: 2. This report is a compilation of two days, the first at Neptune (21st), the second at Strawberry (22nd). Strawberry was so busy the first day there were no parking spots in the lot or nearby turnouts on 101, so I came back about the same time the next day. The weather was cloudy and it was still active, though less busy.

Concerns

Apparent violations: A busy day, but people were respectful of rules. 4/5 dogs on leash.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 25. RVs/Buses parking: 1.

Notable Wildlife

11 harbor seals on rocks off Strawberry Several oyster catchers on cobble beach south of the Strawberry lot.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

None

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Wood pieces. Little in the way of debris like plastic or styrofoam. A pleasant surprise.

New Development

A pristine stretch of coast!

Man-made Modifications

None

Natural Changes

There may have been a little more undercutting of bluff in places at Strawberry than during my last visit here, but I did not observe major new stuffing or newly fallen trees.