Tide pools in La Jolla, California, United States Aug. 5, 2025

Tide pools in La Jolla, California, United States

Not every science lesson requires a classroom. In La Jolla in California, United States, tide pools teach you about ocean life—right at your feet. Along the rocky shoreline of this San Diego coastal neighbourhood, tide pools form during low tide as seawater gets trapped in natural depressions. These shallow pools form naturally along La Jolla"s rocky shorelines, especially near Windansea Beach, Shell Beach, South Casa Beach and Hospital Point. The water that remains trapped in sandstone and reef depressions creates habitats for everything from sea hares to brittle stars.

© Andrew Shoemaker/DanitaDelimont.com

palette

Today in History

Its puffling season!
Festival fever
Aug. 5, 2024Lavender field, Hertfordshire, England

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Apr. 22, 2026Earth Day
Sep. 28, 2025Town of Pienza in Tuscany, Italy
Jun 9, 2026Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy
Out of this world
Jun. 10, 2025Everglades National Park, Florida, United States
Jan. 6, 2025Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
May 20, 2024Victoria Day
Nov. 17, 2025Red fox
Nov. 19, 2024Tasmans Arch, Tasman National Park, Tasmania, Australia
Best views tower
Mar. 28, 2024Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
Dec. 7, 2024Lake Ontario, Toronto, during winter
May 9, 2026Skradinski Buk Waterfall, Krka National Park, Croatia
Living rock
The road less taken?
Check out these ‘sea cows’
The envy of postcards and snow globes
Sep. 15, 2023Glenariff Forest Park, County Antrim, Ireland
Jul. 21, 2025Coral Reef Awareness Week
Where did you drop the fish, son?
Jun. 23, 2024Dhaka, Bangladesh
Jun 13, 2026Sunset in Badlands National Park, South Dakota, United States
May 27, 2025Mona Vale rockpool, Sydney, Australia
Feb. 2, 2024Groundhog Day
Oct. 22, 2023Astoria-Megler Bridge, Oregon
Feb. 19, 2026Dragons Eye, Uttakleiv Beach, Norway
Apr. 23, 2026Shakespeare Day
Hide-and-go-seek world champion
Holiday hues
Aug. 14, 2024World Lizard Day