If you follow our page on Facebook, then you know we went tidepooling on Saturday. There’s a whole science to figuring out the best times to tidepool. What is the tidal range (difference between high and low tides)? Is it a minus tide (super-duper low in comparison to the rest of the year)? Is it happening during daylight hours?  December and January tend to be the best times to tidepool with the highest range of tidal difference.

Tide Table

I decided to take the research out of it and put together a list for you.  Here are a few times that might be good for your family in December:

The high tides before these low tides are around 6 ft. — so there is quite a nice range between high and low for tidepooling.

Wednesday, December 7th    minus .11 at 1:50pm
Thursday, December 8th  minus .38 at 2:21pm
Friday, December 9th   minus .57 at 2:53pm
Saturday, December 10th  minus .68 at 3:25pm
Sunday, December 11th minus .7 at 3:59pm
Monday, December 12th minus .64 at 4:34pm

Looks even better later in December with a range of about 7ft. down to around -1.5ft.:

Wednesday, December 21st    minus .79 at 1:07pm
Thursday, December 22nd  minus 1.29 at 1:53pm
Friday, December 23rd   minus 1.57 at 2:37pm
Saturday, December 24th  minus 1.61 at 3:19pm
Sunday, December 25th minus 1.45 at 4:00pm
Monday, December 26th minus 1.12 at 4:40pm

Make sure you double-check my times on the tide table before you go. I can’t guarantee my accuracy. Source: NOAA Tide Predictions for Newport Bay Entrance

Best Beaches for Tidepooling:

• If you don’t already know where to go, email me (OCPlayParks [at] gmail [dot] com) and I can suggest some beaches for you.

Tidepooling Tips:

• Arrive an hour before and plan to stay an hour after the low tide mark.  Or a half hour if you don’t have tons of time. Just pad your visit on BOTH ends of the low tide for the best viewing.
• Tread lightly and don’t move stuff around! These animals and plants are alive and it would be nice if they stayed that way!!
• Consider wearing water shoes or old tennies that can get wet. Those rocks can be sharp!
• Always bring warm socks and a change of clothes for the ride home.
• Remember, the tides vary based on location.  I’m just going on a general tide table for Newport Beach.  The times and ranges will change by location.

Tidepooling RULES:

Of course, I’d always advise you to follow the signage at the beach.  I had one reader go into every post add these rules posted at all Marine Protected Areas:

All tidepools in Laguna Beach are in Marine Protected Areas. You’re not allowed to touch the tidepool animals – you can find the rules here:
http://www.ocmarineprotection.org/index.php
1. Never remove animals, shells or rocks from the tidepools.
2. Never pick up animals…..observe them where they are.
3. Walk gently, taking care not to step on plants or animals.
4. Never turn over rocks.
Basically this means look don’t touch.
These rules are on the MPA signs at the entrances to all the beaches.

Malibu Legacy Park is one of my favorite new parks in Southern California. My parents live in Ventura County, so I make the drive between Orange County and Ventura often.  I love to take the coast route along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). For years, that meant viewing a big vacant lot smack in the center of the village area in Malibu.  Now I get such a thrill seeing this park because I know it’s acting to improve water quality in the nearby lagoon and Santa Monica Bay while restoring a native riparian habitat to the area.

Location: Across from Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Turn off PCH at Webb Way and make a right onto Civic Center Drive. The children’s area is on your right. OR you can park over in the retail area and make the play area your destination on the walk. (Address: 23500 Civic Center Drive, Malibu) MAP TO MALIBU LEGACY PARK

Highlights:

• The children’s play area is whimsical with its mosaic statues that the kids can climb on
• What kid doesn’t like playing on rocks or running on paths?
• There’s lots of birds to see and interesting viewpoints around the park.
• You can learn about vernal pools and other geographic characteristics, plus California plants and wildlife from the interpretive signs.
• I loved seeing the ocean breeze blow the grasses around and see the big blue sky against the Santa Monica mountains.
• It’s walking distance to the shops, restaurants, and restrooms in the Village.
• It’s right on the Metro 534 bus line.
• For me, this is what every playground/park should be: serving an environmental purpose, highlighting native plants and animals, providing an open space for wandering and thought, and offering a more natural playground area for kids.

Be Aware:

• I’m sure the paths could be muddy during winter and wet weather.
• Some parts of the trail are near Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and can be loud from traffic — but the interior portions are quieter.

Checklist:

• Parking right near the children’s playground on Civic Center Drive
• If you have an annual State Parks pass you can visit the Lagoon and then walk over to the park
• NO restrooms in the park, but the retail area is nearby
• Not a lot of shade yet, but the trees should eventually fill in
• Wear good walking shoes and stay on the trail
• It might be a little bumpy, but it is stroller friendly

More information on the park:

• Malibu Legacy Park Project
• City of Malibu website
• My review of the park on Trekaroo family travel website

*Added to KaBOOM.org as part of their 2011 Park-A-Day Summer Challenge

West Newport Park in Newport Beach is the one  you can see when you’re heading south on Pacific Coast Highway from Huntington Beach into Newport Beach. Restaurants and shops are on your left and there’s a long and skinny park on your right, just a block away from the beach.

Location:  The street that parallels Pacific Coast Highway is called Seashore Drive. The park spreads along here and you can access it from Orange Street or Prospect Street.  The easiest way to find it is to look at the map!  MAP TO WEST NEWPORT PARK IN NEWPORT BEACH

Off Orange Street

Highlights:

• Different areas for different ages
• The first playground you will hit is off Orange Street.  It is great for younger kids. It has a shade cover and ride-on animals.
• Both playgrounds have 2 baby swings and 2 bench swings.
• The second playground is between Orange and Prospect. It is more suited to older kids because it only has the spiderweb climber and swings, but you can also jump in and help your little one navigate.
• Now that I’m looking at a satellite view on the map, it looks like there’s a third playground near the handball and tennis courts (sorry, no photos!).
• It would be a great walk to start at one end of the park and have “play stops” along the way to the other end of the park!
• I’ve always wanted to try the deli across the street, too. Let me know how it is, if you go!
• Walk one block and you’re at the beach — so you can bring sand toys and dip your toes in the ocean.

Be Aware:

• Pretty loud with street noise from PCH
• Parking could be an issue since it’s close to the beach, but there were tons of spaces open when we visited

Between Orange and Prospect (this is what I always see when I drive by)

Checklist:

• Parking in dedicated lots or along Seashore Drive
• Play surface: All recycled rubber at playground between Prospect and Orange. Recycled rubber and sand at playground off Orange.
• Restroom is located at playground off Orange.
• Benches for watching the kiddos and picnic tables in the shade
• Handball courts, basketball courts, and tennis courts at the far end of the park (near Seashore and 58th Street)
• Official City of Newport Beach website
• Nearest public library branch: Balboa Branch or Mariner’s Branch of the Newport Beach Public Library system

Nearby parks:

• 38th Street Park
• Newport Island Park
• Irvine Terrace Park

*Added to KaBOOM.org as part of their 2011 Park-A-Day Summer Challenge

Balboa Pier and Peninsula Park  in Newport Beach make me think of the good ‘ole days at the beach.  There are always families wandering around the shops and restaurants, kids riding bikes, and tourists visiting from out of town.  On the summer day we visited, Junior Lifeguards were there, in force.

Location: There are two piers on the Newport Peninsula: the Newport Pier and the Balboa Pier. The Balboa Pier is the furthest towards the end of the Peninsula.  From Interstate 405, take the 55 Freeway towards the beach and it will take you right onto the peninsula on Newport Blvd. (eventually turning into Balboa Blvd.).  You’ll travel past all the numbered streets to the lettered streets. Get there early to get a spot in the lots off Palm Street or B Street (turn right to get to the lots). Pay at the machines by the hour or by the day.  MAP TO BALBOA PIER AND PENINSULA PARK IN NEWPORT BEACH

Highlights:

• Lots to do here besides the beach and playground!
• Playground is on the sand at the base of the pier
• My kids loved the big spiderweb climber
• Huge bank of swings!
• Play equipment appropriate for 5-12 year olds
• Peninsula Park has a huge lawn area appropriate for kite flying or soccer games, plus gazebo for bands or entertainment
• Balboa Fun Zone
• Ride bikes on the Newport Balboa Bike Trail along the peninsula
• Take the Balboa Ferry to Balboa Island for a stroll
• Eat at the original Ruby’s on the pier

Be Aware:

• The Peninsula can get extremely busy on weekends and holidays, especially because there’s only one way out (back the way you came)!
• Get there early to grab a parking spot and stay for the whole day.
• The beach can have big waves and I noticed a pretty sizeable drop-off (where it gets deep very fast on the south side of the pier). However, the north side looked good. I always talk to the lifeguards before I take a dip at a new beach, they always seem happy to give me pointers on any hazards BEFORE I get in!
• Fee for parking

Checklist:

• Parking in dedicated lots ($1.50 per hour with a max of $15.00/day). Click here for parking info from Newport Beach.
• Play surface: Sand
• Restrooms right next door to the playground
• Nice to have lifeguards nearby in summer, in case a need for first aid arises
• Picnic on the beach or find a nearby restaurant
• Bring bikes if you want to ride the trail (also available to rent)
• Fire rings available from 6am-10pm on first-come, first-serve basis (consult NB beaches page for details)
• Official Newport Beach website
• Nearest public library branch: Balboa Branch of the Newport Beach Public Library system

Nearby parks:

• 38th Street Park
• Newport Island Park
• Irvine Terrace Park

*Added to KaBOOM.org as part of their 2011 Park-A-Day Summer Challenge

It is my duty as your local play expert to introduce you to, possibly, the most playful guy in our community! Dave Shenkman is the Founder and CEO of Kite Connection located on Huntington Beach Pier. That all sounds very stiff and boring, but you have got to see this guy in action!

My first introduction to Dave was at the Orange County School District’s “Program Preview Day” in 2010. I was assigned to find the perfect science program assembly for our elementary school. If you ever get a chance to go to a Program Preview Day, take it! Each vendor or presenter has only 5 minutes to give you a pitch on their program. Some organizations just get up there and give an outline, some do demonstrations, and others tell stories or do an act. You get a real feel for how they will interact with the kids. I didn’t realize this was going to be an ALL DAY thing! I only had an hour to be there and wander through the exhibitor room and pick up flyers.

However, I did see about 6 presentations in half an hour. Most were quiet and slow. Most were very educational and professional.

Then Dave comes up with his Kites for Kids presentation! You have to see this video: CLICK HERE!

WOW! The room was awake, the audience was engaged. Just like that! There was an excitement and a real yearning to learn more. You see, Dave’s presentation was educational and professional — but it was also LOUD and fast! You should have seen me back at our school arguing that we needed this “Kite Guy” for our science program. I just kept repeating – “You have to see him. I can’t explain.” Luckily, my fellow parents had faith in me and Dave ended up presenting to our entire school.

I got phone calls right away:

“You should see this guy!”

“The teachers love him.”

His store is just as magical as his school presentations!

My 9 year old son spent his allowance on a rubber band gun and Dave gave him a demonstration before he was allowed to buy it. Then Dave made him raise his right hand and repeat after him that he: would not shoot at anything living, including his sister – or he would pay the price with his parents giving him six months of chores. If he argued about the chores, he’d get more chores. I can’t even remember all the funny things he said, but it was funny.

This guy is for real: a hidden Orange County treasure promoting play and fun. Book his school program or just visit his store which is a family field trip in itself! However you do it, get to know Dave.

I received NO compensation for this post.

GIVEAWAY

Dave is offering an easy to fly single liner kite as a giveaway to my readers. (That means, one single line attached for flying the kite.)

When: Giveaway entry period runs from today - August 6th to 11:59pm on August 13th.

How to Enter:

• Subscribe to my weekly Play Trips newsletter. (That’s it.)  My next newsletter is going to pair up Orange County Farmer’s Markets with the parks within walking distance.
• But, I’m already a subscriber! If you are already a subscriber, just leave a comment that you’d like to be entered in this kite giveaway. (If you’re feeling inspired you can comment on your favorite kite flying memory.) No need to subscribe again.
• One entry per subscriber.

Winner Selected:

• I will select the winner on Random.org from the pool of NEW newsletter subscribers plus any existing subscribers that leave a comment on this post before 11:59pm on Saturday, August 13th.

Thanks for playing – and thanks for reading!