June 2022 Field Trip – Beach Jaspers, Mussel Shoals at Cliff House Inn On the Beach
By David Springer

Participants will be driving to Mussel Shoals which is the area south of Carpinteria near the offshore oil island (Rincon island) connected to shore by an access pier. The notable structure here is Cliff House Inn On the Beach. To get there from the south, with all the freeway construction, you’ll need to go past it about a mile and turn off at Bates Round and reenter 101 Southbound. You’ll stay in the right lane and exit at the gap in the wall under construction, immediately after you drive past the town of La Conchita. Make a right at the stop sign and parking slots are open about 150 yards further down off to the right (see Google map at intersection of Ocean and Old Pacific Coast Highway - La Conchita - Google Maps)

Our physical meeting place prior to accessing the beach will be at the foot of the Richfield Pier at the car barriers, which is immediately above the beach. Please arrive there at 7:30 AM sharp to take advantage of the low tide, which is at 8:01 AM.

Bring a bucket or backpack to collect. A sun hat, sunscreen, and maybe a beach towel might also be good to bring along with something to eat and drink. There are lots of rocks and boulders, some with sharp “barnacled” edges, in our collecting area so closed toe footwear is recommended. It will be a low tide so we should plan on 90 minutes for the collecting portion of the trip. In all there is about 1/3-mile of beach to scour. Thereafter, all are welcome to stay and enjoy a nice mid-morning on the beach.