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Pyramid Point

[caption id="attachment_5931" align="alignright" width="300"] Pyramid Point Kamph Memorial Park - photo copyright Jim Johnston[/caption] Pyramid Point State Marine Conservation Area is California’s Northern-most marine protected area. Nestled up against the Oregon border, it provides unique habitat not often seen in other California marine protected areas. The landscape includes both sandy and rocky beaches, each with offshore rocks that can harbor seabird colonies, and shallow rocky reefs. Interesting Facts: [edgtf_unordered_list style="circle" animate="yes" font_weight=""] ...

Ten Mile

[caption id="attachment_5929" align="alignright" width="300"] Ten Mile Beach - photo copyright Dave Franklin[/caption] There are three marine protected areas in close proximity with the Ten Mile name. Ten Mile State Marine Reserve, Ten Mile Beach State Marine Conservation Area, and Ten Mile Ten Mile State Marine Reserve together take up nearly 16 square miles. The shoreline is between the towns of Fort Bragg and Westport and is backed by one of California coast’s longest dune systems. Each area offers protection for a...

South Humboldt Bay

[caption id="attachment_5927" align="alignright" width="300"] Humboldt Bay - photo copyright Humboldt State University[/caption] The South Humboldt Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area spans a small area of the Humboldt Bay. Its western border lies against the contours of the inner South Spit. Humboldt Bay is California’s second largest natural bay and is a nationally significant area for migratory birds. Most of the ecology is characterized by intertidal mudflats, and eelgrass beds that host a diversity of species both above and underwater. Interesting Facts: [edgtf_unordered_list...

Big Flat

[caption id="attachment_5925" align="alignright" width="300"] Big Flat SMCA - photo copyright Bill Lemos[/caption] Big Flat State Marine Conservation Area, similar to South Cape Mendocino State Marine Reserve, exists in a stretch of coastline in Northern California deemed the “Lost Coast” because of its undeveloped natural beauty and the very small population of people that live in the area. Big Flat SMCA is a 12-mile marine protected area north of Shelter Cove, CA. Interesting Facts: [edgtf_unordered_list style="circle" animate="yes" font_weight=""] ...

South Cape Mendocino

[caption id="attachment_5923" align="alignright" width="300"] Sugarloaf Island_Cape Mendocino - photo copyright Paul ElliotSugarloaf Island_Cape Mendocino - photo copyright Paul Elliot[/caption] South Cape Mendocino State Marine Reserve is a nine square mile MPA off shore from the town of Petrolia, in the Lost Coast of Northern California. Unique, steep, and rugged terrain characterizes the shoreline, which extends into the King Range, a protected range of mountains that run parallel to the coast. The waters in this MPA are crucial breeding grounds for a...

Reading Rock

[caption id="attachment_5231" align="alignright" width="300"] Orick California - photo copyright Michelle Rhea[/caption] The Reading Rock State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) borders approximately 3 miles of coastline in far Northern California and extends out to sea to create a total of nearly 12 square miles of protected area. The slightly smaller Reading Rock State Marine Reserve continues on from the SMCA’s west border and follows the curve of the 3 nautical mile state waters maritime limit. These MPAs are offshore from the town...