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Natural Bridges
- GPS coordinates:
- 36° 56.938’ N, 122° 03.734’ W
- LiMPETS monitoring site since:
- 1973
- Directions:
- Natural Bridges State Beach is on the western edge of Santa Cruz. The best way to reach the site is from the east entrance of Natural Bridges State Beach at the intersection of Swanton Boulevard and West Cliff Drive. The monitoring site is beyond the western boundary of Natural Bridges State Beach, between the State Beach and Long Marine Lab. To reach the site, walk across the sandy beach and over the first rocky platform to another beach in front of the mobile home park. Next, cross the second rocky platform to the site. The site is past the area directly under the gazebo. The walk takes about 10 minutes. Alternatively, the site can be reached by walking across the main beach and up the hillside to a public access gate in the mobile home park. Walk through the mobile home park, following the map on the gate to the second smaller beach. Once at the second beach, head to the right, the gazebo will be on top of the cliff and the site will be just past the area right below the gazebo. Please respect the privacy of the residents in the mobile home park and keep noise to a minimum.
- Restrooms:
- Several buildings have public restrooms at the State Beach.
- Site description:
- This flat site is a sloping, nicely zoned mussel bed with lots of species hidden in the nooks and crannies. This site can get lots of foot traffic so be prepared if monitoring on a weekend.
- LiMPETS methods:
-
- vertical transect
- random quadrats in a permanent area
- total counts in a permanent area
- Download site-specific protocols and datasheets used at this site.
- Permit and visitor information:
- Park rangers regularly patrol this beach. Contact the State Beach before taking a group to the intertidal platforms so that the rangers are kept informed and your group does not conflict with any docent-led tours. If there is room, you can arrange to park in the State Beach parking lot without charge. For more information, call 831-423-4609. Collecting without permits is illegal.
- Contact your LiMPETS site coordinator:
- Lisa Emanuelson, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary • 299 Foam St. Monterey, CA 93940 • • (831) 521-9512