Can anyone recommend a great beach for kids to check out tide pools along the California coast? We'll be there in July.

What area? If you'll be in the Bay Area (San Francisco/San Jose), I've always enjoyed Fitzgerald Marine Reserve near Half Moon Bay -- http://fitzgeraldreserve.org/.

Could you be more specific, such as where in California you will be visiting. It's a very big state with a very long coast line.

Point Lobos (south of Carmel)
Abalone Cove(southern LA County)but a steep trail
Bean Hollow SB (not too far from San Francisco)

You need to be more specific I agree. California has a coastline of about (what?) 1000 miles (give or take).

However, if you haven't thought about where you are going and are planning a trip around a tide pool, I would recommend either the La Jolla Cove or La Jolla Shores. Both areas are close to each other and are past of a State of California protected underwater reserve.

We will be traveling between San Diego and San Francisco, so anywhere in between! Thanks for the great initial ideas!

In SD, there are neat tide pools at Point Loma. When you arrive at Point Loma, you will be far above the waterline near the lighthouse (which is neat and definitely worth a look). There is a road you can take down to the waterline to the tide pools. The last couple times I was there, a park ranger was also at the tide pools talking about the marine life.

Near Carmel, Point Lobos is fabulous - probably my most favorite place for tide pools. It is a beautiful place with tons of wildlife. Great for kids.

Actually pretty much anywhere on any beach you will find tidal pools and sea life.

Princeton Beach, at the base of the headlands. But for any tide pools, I think that you have to make sure that you have a minus tide.

Ok. Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove, just south of Monterey.

Great advice on where to find tidepools, but watch your kids carefully. Rogue waves have swept away distracted tourists.

Natural Bridges has some very nice tide pools.

RsGrady, thought you might like to see this article on tide pools:

http://www.viamagazine.com/destinati...ols-west-coast

Enjoy!