Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a beautiful intertidal habitat, protected as a reserve since 1969. At low tide, visitors can explore the myriad life in the rocky tidepools: sea anemones, sea stars, hermit crabs, urchins and other species. Harbor seals may also be sunning nearby on the rocks.
The narrow pools you'll find at the reserve -- crevice pools -- present a unique opportunity to study some of organisms that will be visible at low tide.
Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Website & Information
San Mateo Department of Parks Website
See a Map of San Mateo County which includes the location of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and Moss Beach.
Driving From San Francisco:
- Get on 101 south from the city
- Exit to 280 south, going toward Daly City
- Follow signs to CA-1 and Pacifica
- Following CA-1 southward, once you get to Moss Beach, take a right on California Avenue. The parking area and visitor center for Fitzgerald Marine Reserve will be at the end of the road.
From East Bay or San Mateo:
- Take Highway 92 west toward Half Moon Bay
- At Half Moon Bay, take a right on Cabrillo Highway (CA-1)
- At Moss Beach, take a left on California Avenue
The reserve recommends that you visit at a low tide of +1 or more -- to get the most from your tide-pool viewing.
My most recent visit was during a +0.8 tide which still allowed for ample sightings -- including sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs -- and some harbor seals in the distance with their pups.
There may be signs posted instructing you to keep a distance from the seals. Even if you don't see the signs, be respectful of their space and enjoy them from afar. Be sure to bring binoculars for those chance viewings.
Read about the various tide-pool species at the Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Website
The large numbers of visitors each year also take a toll on the fragile ecosystem so visiting Fitzgerald also implies a strict code of respect toward the sensitive marine life and habitat.
The reserve is undertaking certain restrictions to restore some of the damaged areas. It is also critically important to observe "good tide pool behavior."
Please read the complete list of good tide pool behaviors before you visit the reserve.
Important points:
- Do not collect anything at the reserve, including shells, rocks, vegetation and marine life
- Do not pick up or touch marine life
- Be very careful where and how you walk
The best resource for reserve and marine life information is the Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve website. The "Friends" are volunteers committed to the protection of the reserve, and are involved docent and educational activities, as well as conservations efforts.
Also see the San Mateo County Department of Parks information about Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.
