Whaler’s Cove, the beach below the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, is open once again after thirteen years, reports the Daily Journal.

The cove was purchased in 1981 with plans on building a private home on the site. Plans changed in 1994 to build a nine-unit motel. Part of that deal required a 1.5 acre portion of the beach be given to the state. The owner, however, owned the access points which were blocked shortly after. In May 2000, the Peninsula Open Space Trust purchased the land to protect the views and historic values.

Before reopening, POST built stairs connecting the scenic bluff to the area below.

On a clear day, the views are completely breathtaking from the area before even reaching the top of the stairs. A short stroll down the 20 or so stairs opens up a calm beach, saved from the wind thanks to the large cliffs. Rocks in the water and occasionally along the beach add to the views as the water slowly creeps onto the soft sand.

The San Mateo County chapter of Surfrider Foundation  will lead a post-July 4th beach clean up on Surfer’s Beach in Half Moon Bay.  Surfer’s Beach and the immediate surrounding area is the site of the coastside’s annual fireworks display held on July 4th, and is expected to bring hundreds of pounds of trash with the thousands of Independence Day revelers, who will converge on the area. 

All cleanup supplies are provided.  Volunteers are encouraged to wear closed- toe shoes, layered clothing and sunscreen and bring their own work gloves. Clean up coordinators will meet volunteers on the west side of Highway 1 at the Coronado Street traffic light. Volunteers should park in the lot off of Obispo Road in El Granada (on the east side of Highway 1) and cross Highway 1 at the Coronado Street traffic light. Info: [email protected], or call Steve at (650) 291-9428

Post Independence Day Beach Cleanup
Surfers Beach
Saturday, July 7, 10am to noon

The Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary Advisory Council will meet at Point Reyes Station Thursday,  July 12, from 9am to 3:45pm. The meeting will be at the Red Barn Classroom, 1 Bear Valley Rd.

The Council consists of 21 primary members and alternates, including seven non-governmental seats — Community-At-Large for Marin/Sonoma, Community-At-Large for San Francisco/San Mateo, Conservation (two seats), Education, Maritime Activities (Commercial), Maritime Activities (Recreation), and Research — and four governmental seats representing the California Environmental Protection Agency, California Resources Agency, National Park Service, and U.S. Coast Guard.

Council members serve as advisors to sanctuary Superintendent Maria Brown. The sanctuary’s headquarters are located at Building 991 Marine Drive, Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco CA 94129. Phone is 415/ 561-6622.

Meetings of the Advisory Council are open to the public. Public comment is heard during announced times.

To see the agenda,

Join Melissa Amarello for an introduction to the diverse community of local reptiles, presented by the Pescadero Conservation Alliance. Learn of Melissa’s efforts to study their natural history and the effects of prescribed burning along the San Mateo coast. She is currently conducting research on snake conservation in the area as part of a fellowship sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the US Geological Survey.

Melissa will present a slideshow and lecture with live animals at the Native Sons Hall in Pescadero. Afterward, she will lead a field trip to nearby spots where some of the local species can be found.

1:30 pm for lecture at Native Sons Hall, Stage Rd, Pescadero (next to post office), field trip to follow
$5 suggested donation per person or family
Children welcome if they do not interrupt the speaker’s presentation
                                                               
For Lecture Take Hwy.1 to Pescadero Creek Road, an intersection marked by a flashing light.
Travel into Pescadero to the stop sign at the center of town, by the flag pole.
Turn south onto Stage Road. Native Sons Hall is just past the Post Office.
Allow about 30 minutes travel time from Half Moon Bay, or 45 minutes from Santa Cruz.

Reader Barbara Kossy recommends that Coastsiders check out the new website for the PlantRight campaign. PlantRight is the result of the partnership of the California Invasive Plants Council and Cal-HIP (Horticultural Invasive Prevention). The campaign encourages growers, retailers, landscape professionals and gardeners to avoid invasive plants.