Visitors to Southern California beaches may have entirely different experiences from one year to another, and even more so from one season to another. The taking and giving of sand is a natural occurrence here on the San Diego coast, but one that isn't always fair or equal.
As we head into the 2010-2011 "winter" storm season in San Diego (which our guests from the northern climates typically enjoy) we can expect winter beaches to appear. In fact, we're seeing some already. I was at the beach at high tide this morning and can see the changes taking shape. Winter beaches mean less sand and more "cobbles" (rocks), fewer people, and more interesting finds cast aside from waves. Today will be a -1 foot tide (ultra low) so I'm hoping to explore and find some shells, perfect stones, or sea glass this afternoon. In past winter explorations in Oceanside outside of North Coast Village, I've had major sand dollar finds during tides like this.
Every year San Diego association of governments (SANDAG) studies sand levels. The biggest losers last winter were my home beach (Cardiff) and my work beach (Oceanside). Read more from the North County Times.
