Pillar Point Low Tide 11-17-13

When there's a minus tide, that is a tide that is below the zero datum on charts, more of the ocean bottom is revealed. When the topography just below datum is rocky & relatively flat, it creates a wonderful place to see marine life that is usually under water, up close. North of Half Moon Bay, at Pillar Point, right inside where the giant Mavericks Surf contest is held, is just such a spot.

On the weekend of November 16 & 17 there were minus tides of .55 and .63 feet, and hundreds of people came to look, play and enjoy the sights. On Sunday the minus tide existed between 3:00 and 6:00 pm, with sunset just before 5:00 pm. Thanks to Debbie Kundrat's email to the Cuesta Park neighborhood, a few of us braved the scarce parking and the hike to the beach to enjoy the sights. We arrived about 3:30 on Sunday and spotted Sophia and Mira Sears leaving to meet up with mom Garbiele Hillberg. They had been there since 1:00 pm. Down on the beach we saw Frieda Kahn, dad Michael and mom Garbielle Safran. Also on hand were Bob Moragues and Karin Stein plus sons Anthony & Richard.

If you'd like to see this for yourself, check online for minus tides at http://tides.mobilegeographics.com/calendar/year/2365.html . Note the extra low tides on the afternoons of December 30 and 31, 2013 (and about an hour later on 1/1/14). And, here's another link to PIllar Point tides: Pillar-Point-Harbor Tides. If you'd like directions or the original image file of any picture, email me at Rick Van Mell.

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Mira & Sophia are ...	leaving early.	The beach scene ...	more arrivals ...	Teak too.
Looking into the sun ...	Tide pools & Sail Rock.	Pillar Pt. Cliffs ...	great for play ...	and exploration.
Roaming the exposed beds ...	tide pools ...	abound ...	fun to play in.	Anthony too ...
Richard likes sand.	Frieda is happy ...	mom Garbrielle too.	Jump, Michael!	Lots of color ...
nice pool ...	colorful anemone ...	shy star ...	brighter star ...	with urchins ...
little guy.	Where's mine?	A splash at Sail Rock ...	a sail at Sail Rock.	Getting late ...
the harbor settles ...	one more pic before ...	shadows fall ...	time to reflect.	Reflection.
Sun sets ...	at Sail Rock ...	going ...	gone!	Heading home ...
last light.	Well earned ...	look what ...	we got!	Delicious.