Social Hiking At a Relaxed Pace (S.H.A.R.P.)

When
Saturday, August 24, 2019

9:00 AM

Where

Coal Oil Point Reserve / Devereux Slough 

(Isla Vista)

Coal Oil Point is on preserve land in UCSB's west campus area (west of Isla Vista). It is a popular place to whale watch, watch the sunset, and is beloved by UCSB students and surfers. It is also home to a critical protected Snowy Plover habitat area. This is a relaxing mostly flat 3 mile walk (with several options for longer walks) along ocean bluffs and the beach. The walk will also include a bit of the Devereux Slough area for those who like to do bird watching.

The walk begins along the bluffs above the ocean with an option to walk on the beach below to explore the tidal pools. Our walk is planned for a low tide morning so the tidal pools should be exposed and the beach walking surface should be good. At that point we will come to Coal Oil Point and then down onto "Sands Beach" where the protected Snowy Plover habitat is located (and also where those who walk the beach by the tidal pools can meet up with us). You can often see flocks of Snowy Plovers and many young Plovers at this time of year. We will continue on Sands Beach and after a bit of beach walking, we will turn north off the beach into the beginning of the Devereux Slough area which is a prime bird watching area. The Slough is a seasonally flooded tidal lagoon. At this point, we will have several choices: 1. return to the beach and then walk a bit further west for a longer beach walk, 2. explore the Slough further, or 3. simply head back. 

Some recommendations: The beach in this area is known to be oily/tarry so we suggest that you take this into account when choosing footwear for the beach part of the walk and possibly bring a change of shoes for afterward. While dogs are allowed, in the Plover habitat area west of Coal Oil Point, dogs are discouraged (and off leash dogs are prohibited). There is one portable toilet near Coal Oil Point.

After the walk, we'll plan to meet up at Zizzo's Coffee at 370 Storke Road (on east side of Storke a quarter mile before Home Depot as you head north).

No need to register. Just show up. Downpour cancels, but we’ll proceed in light rain.

Directions: 101 North to Glen Annie Rd. / Storke Rd. exit in Goleta. Turn left on Storke, drive 1.3 miles to El Colegio Rd. Turn left and drive 0.2 miles to Camino Corto. Turn right and go 0.5 miles to Del Playa Drive. Turn right and park in grove of eucalyptus trees at the end of the street or on one of the neighboring side streets. If you need an address for your GPS, you can use 6894 Del Playa Drive. Parking is adequate but demand is high, so carpooling is always a good option.

------------------------------

Questions? Contact sharp@sbnewcomers.org