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Goleta Beach is one of the few places along the mainland coast where eelgrass grows; and it has quite a bit of it, extending on both sides of the pier and far out along the pipeline. Refugio Beach is the only other spot I know of, between Malibu and Point Conception.
Goleta Beach tends to have fairly low visibility, probably because the silt is so fine there. But, on a clear day there is plenty to see.
Kelp seems to be able to get started just about anywhere -- although it's hard to tell since topography changes so fast, underwater. Historically, kelp has grown on clumps of worm tubes, on sand flats around Santa Barbara, although I don't see that often anymore. Maybe conditions aren't right for the worms? This young kelp may have a rough time surviving the waves of sand washing over it. It was at Towers, on the south side of Santa Cruz.
Black-and-Yellow Rockfish at Cueva Valdez. These rockfish have lovely colors and are usually happy to pose for photos.
This tiny scuplin was less than an inch long. I saw him only because he moved. He looked like the lead of a thick pencil. He was at Hazzard's, on the north side of Santa Cruz Island.
Snubnose sculpin at Hazzard's on Santa Cruz Island.
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