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Getting Families Outside, One Adventure at a Time

coast

ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, BEACH, CAMP, FISH, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PHOTOGRAPHY, WINTER
Winter Crabbing with Kids
- February 10, 2021
If you’re anywhere close to the coast and interested in a fun outdoor activity that will not only provide hours of entertainment, but also provide dinner, we’ve got a post for you! Today, Creative Team member and California mom of three, Araceli Gonzalez takes on a winter crabbing with kids adventure. She walks us through everything you need to know to get started winter crabbing with kids, what to bring and how to catch them! Enjoy (with butter)!

Winter crabbing with kids

Are you looking for a fun winter activity to do with your kids beachside? Are your kids into catching dinner? Let’s go CRABBING! Because there’s nothing quite as amazing as fresh crab with a side of BUTTER, right? Yes, please!

One of our favorite winter activities is crabbing along the California Coast. Crabbing is a fun and easy activity for the entire family. It’s a great way to get outside and catch some dinner while burning some energy, enjoying the fresh air, and taking in the scenery of the glorious coast. Going on a winter crab hunt makes for a fun day trip or a weekend camping adventure. We oftentimes crab hunt while camping and there is nothing like taking a bucket of crab back to our campsite, cooking it up over an open fire pit and enjoying it dipped in warm butter and a squeeze of fresh lemon!

I am no expert on crabbing, but will do my best to walk you through the basics!

Crabbing license & regulations

We live in California and the most abundant crab around here is the Dungeness crab. Crabbing is popular along the Bay and up and down the Coast. While it may sound simple enough to go out and catch dinner, it’s important to understand local laws and regulations as they can change from year to year.

Before you venture out, make sure you read up on your local licensing requirements and understand the rules and regulations governing crabbing. In California, recreational crabbing season runs from November through about July. There are typically daily bag requirements as well as minimum size limits for the crabs you can catch and keep.

We kick off the season in early November and enjoy it throughout the winter months. Seasons and regulations vary by state and can change from year to year. Recreating responsibly should always be top of mind so that we can all continue to enjoy these wild and gorgeous places.

More regarding licensing requirements can be found at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife home page.

Crabbing equipment & supplies
Although my husband is the real subject matter expert, I managed to pick his brain to bring you some of the basics and methods we use when crabbing. Here are some basic supplies that you’ll need to get started crabbing:
- gloves
- ice chest
- traps
- bait
- bait holder
- crab measuring device
- bait ties
- crabbing license
How to catch crabs with a snare

There are several ways to prepare for the big catch. We enjoy crabbing right from shore with snares and a fishing rod. It’s a simple method that requires the least amount of equipment. To crab right from the shoreline all you need is a fishing rod and a snare to attach to the end.

A snare is a trap that tangles up the crab. It is a small bait box with loops of monofilament attached to it. Fill the snare with bait and toss it as far as possible from shore. Once you catch the crab it’s important to follow local regulations pertaining to the size of the crab and whether it’s large enough to keep. Measure the crab and if it does not meet size requirements release them back into the ocean.

My son helped this little guy right back into the ocean.
Rod holders help prop up the fishing rod while you wait for the big catch. Our boy sitting by the ocean and waiting for the bite…

Catching crab using crab pots

Now let’s talk crab pots. How do they work? Crab pots are larger and if you’re lucky, you can catch a lot more crab in one catch. Crab are lured into crab pots with bait. They walk directly into the large cages through openings that they can enter and once inside they cannot escape. There are several ways to tie the bait to the inside of cages and lots of different things you can use as crab bait.

Our go-to crab bait is usually squid, anchovies, and chicken. Once you open the cage it’s important to measure all your crab and only keep those that meet the size requirement. We carry a measuring tool that we use to determine which ones we can keep and the kids release the ones that are too small back into the ocean.

How to handle crab

Don’t get pinched! Safety always comes first when handling crab – both your safety and the safety of the crab. Crab handling is important and using caution can spare you from a pretty painful pinch. Once you have a good grip on the center of the crab, you can pick the crab up without getting pinched. Hold them firmly, but not so hard it damages the shell. Wearing gloves is the safest option. Here my husband helped secure the crab for this photo very carefully. He was pretty excited about his catch!

Benefits of crabbing

Crabbing requires patience, persistence, and has a meditative effect on kids and adults alike. Just like fishing, crabbing is great for our mental health because you’re spending time outside, surrounded by nature, water, and sand. We love exposing our kids to outdoor activities that reduce stress and anxiety. We treasure these moments away from all the noise and crabbing together is a great way to relax as a family. It’s also a great way for kids to know, respect, and appreciate where their food comes from. It connects them to our planet and makes them want to protect it for themselves and the animals that share it with us.

Sometimes a day trip is all you need to really enjoy the relaxing benefits of crabbing. While it may seem like a lot of work (as is almost any outdoor adventure with kids), a day trip to our favorite crabbing spot is always worth it. When a long camping trip isn’t possible for us, we make the most of day trips, so we can still enjoy our favorite activities. Sometimes we’ll wake up at 6 am, pack a lunch, make breakfast burritos for the road, and head to the beach. We arrive early and enjoy an entire day of crabbing and playing at the beach.

A winter tradition for the entire family

There are so many benefits in finding activities that the entire family can enjoy. Crabbing has become a tradition for our family and we look forward to crab season every winter. It means more beach adventure in the cold months when swimming and surfing aren’t an option. It’s also a healthy way for all of us to get outside, get some fresh air and Vitamin D (and Vitamin Sea). Just spending time near the water is often the cure for those winter blues.

And the opportunities for play for the kids are endless near the beach. Not everyone has to participate in the crabbing, there’s always plenty of other things to do. Digging sand holes, running through sand dunes, and simply enjoying our time together as a family. It is a great winter activity that will leave your family with countless memories for years to come.

I hope to see you out on the coast!

Have you ever caught a crab?

About the author

Araceli is a wife and momma to three wild and adventurous littles. She believes that nature and free play are truly the foundation of a beautiful childhood. Araceli and her husband have made it a priority to raise their children with a strong bond to the great outdoors. Araceli is a working mom with an extensive career in Project Management. She’s creative, crafty, and loves collecting houseplants. As a family, they love exploring wild places and she loves documenting their adventures.

Find more from Araceli in the following locations:
Instagram: @roaminggonzalez
All RWMC posts: Araceli
ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, BEACH, FISH, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER
Exploring California Coast Tidepools
- July 13, 2020
Tidepools are incredible little shallow puddles of seawater with a life of their own! Each one is a microcosm – a tiny little rocky world filled with fascinating creatures and sea life. Exploring tidepools with kids provides endless hours of entertainment and learning for the whole family. There’s so much to observe and discover. Today, Araceli Gonzalez, Northern California mom of three, is here to take you on an adventure through the tidepools along the California coast!

California coast tidepools

Tidepools are one of the main attractions along the California coastline. Sprinkled all along Highway 1, you’re sure to find these beautiful gems throughout. Some of the best tidepools can be found along the Mendocino Coast, Monterey, Big SUR, Cambria, and all the way down throughout Southern California. The Central Coast (the area roughly spanning the coastal region between Point Mugu and Monterey Bay) is a family favorite with amazing tidepools. The Carmel Coast tidepools are pictured here.

The best time of day to visit a tidepool

The best time to visit a tidepool is low tide when the water levels are calm and at their lowest. Low tide gives you more tidepools to discover and lets you explore much further out on the beach. You can take a look at a “tide table” in your area to find low tide times of day and make the most of your visit. Tide tables are handy charts with helpful low and high tide information. We recommend going just before low tide to give yourself the maximum amount of time to explore the tidepools. Start inland and work your way out as the tide recedes. But make sure to keep your eye on the tide and what the water is doing. Stay safe and come back inland as the tide starts to rise.

Tidepool safety tips

Tidepools are so much fun, but it’s important to take a few precautions to ensure your kids are safe. Water (and the ocean in particular) can be dangerous and safety should be a top priority when exploring tidepools. Always be mindful of ocean currents and waves. Keep an eye on the time, the tides, and the water level. Never leave littles unattended. Rocks can be slippery, especially when covered in seaweed, so be extra careful when walking around on rocky beaches. Water shoes with good grip are always a good idea, but if your kids are anything like mine barefoot is their shoe of choice. Remind them to watch their step and not step directly into water where they can’t see the bottom (and know what they’re stepping on).

For the safety of the animals in the tidepool, I like to remind my kids to be delicate when picking up any sea creatures. If you can observe without touching, that’s even better (but not always preferred for kids – they love a hands-on experience). If they do pick up something, always put it back where they found it. Advise them to never pull or remove animals attached to rocks or the sand. These should be observed just as they are – and that’s fun too!

Tidepool seashells

My kids love finding and playing with seashells in tidepools. Most of the shells we find belong to snails – periwinkle snails, whelk snails, unicorn whelk – mussels or oysters. Teach the kids to observe them, enjoy them (very gently) and then leave them behind for the next person to enjoy. We try to remain mindful of the impact we have when visiting these gorgeous places. We tread lightly and are careful not to trample on these tiny creatures. Most seashells we find are still occupied by little creatures that are still alive so they need to remain in their home. However, if we find an empty shell, I’ll let the kids keep one. We love collecting them, sorting them by shape and color. It really is one of our favorite activities.

Tidepool treasures

When you explore tidepools, you’ll find so many treasures to uncover. From tiny little snails to great big ones like the abalone that lived in this shell. From colorful sea glass to beautiful seashells. Rocks of every shape, size and color. Crabs and claws, urchin and anemones. Sea stars, slugs, sand dollars, and sculpin. Algea and octopus! In a tidepool, even the sand is interesting!

Bring along a book or a printable guide that helps you and your kids identify your finds. Get to know the animals and plants in your area and the distinctions between them all. We can spend hours turning over each rock and observing the little creatures. Our kids love the thrill of exploring each tidepool. What will we find…a snail, crab, clam, oyster, starfish? You never know! There’s so much to learn from exploring a tidepool and it’s why we love the California coast so much. The opportunity to explore and learn about nature is priceless.

Slowing down

Exploring tidepools at low tide gives us an opportunity to uncover endless possibilities. Look under each rock and you will be amazed at what you will find. Move seaweed aside and peer into crevices. Find craters in the sand or rock with trapped sea creatures. Dig in the sand and see what you can find. Exploring the tidepools always seems to slow us down and make us take notice of all the amazing things around us. I love that our kids stare at everything with such intent. They are so calm and interested while observing. It’s obvious that they’re learning and thinking and uncovering new ideas. They ask great questions and engage all their senses. In a busy and overscheduled world, it is so important to slow down and enjoy the little things. Tidepooling gives us that opportunity.

Hike it, baby

Hiking is another family-favorite activity and the California coast is an incredible place to hike. We love a good trail that ends the hike down at the beach with some fun at a tidepool. Just the anticipation of going tidepooling gives the kids something to look forward to and helps us power through a hike. Point Lobos State Nature Reserve in Monterey County not only offers an incredible opportunity to hike along a breathtaking trail, but you can also break to explore some really amazing tidepools. This is one of our favorite hiking trail that leads to tidepools.

Learning made fun

Exploring the California coast tidepools is a great way to expose kids to marine life and get them interested in the wide variety of aquatic plants and animals. Tidepools have the power to really unleash a child’s curiosity! Exploring a tidepool is a great hands-on full-body way to learn and connect kids to our environment. We enjoy (and highly encourage) any and all questions that come our way. We love talking about what causes a tide, how the moon and sun play a role. Why is there a low and high tide? Why are some animals protected by a shell and not others? What’s the difference between these types of animals? Why the different colors, shapes of sizes? So many questions and so much to learn in a super fun environment! And if we don’t know the answers, we discuss our theories and then look them up when we get home!

Cliffs and more

California coast tidepool adventures are not only about the tidepools. When exploring the California coast, you’ll find so many other amazing sites and things to do. The topography along the California shoreline is incredible. The bluffs and cliffs, the rocks, the crashing waves and the gorgeous beaches. Along the Mendocino Coast, you will find an array of tide pools right alongside some really gorgeous cliffs. You can hike/climb down to the shore and admire all the beautiful flowers on the cliffs. There are dramatic coastal views filled with lush turquoise water all along this coastline. This area is filled with beautiful sleepy little coastal towns, farms and lighthouses, as well. Go for the tidepools, but make sure to check out other natural attractions and sites in the area, as well.

California coast tidepools

I hope this post inspires you to get out and explore the tidepools along the California coastline. There are so many different experiences you can have in so many various locations. The scenery and the finds are different every time you go. Exploring tidepools with the kids never seems to get old. California tidepools offer a wealth of diverse marine and aquatic life that’s sure to please kids of any age. Get them interested in nature – get them in a tidepool!

About the author

Araceli is a wife and momma to three wild and adventurous littles. She believes that nature and free play are truly the foundation for a beautiful childhood. Araceli and her husband make it a priority to raise their children with a strong bond to the great outdoors. She’s a working mom with an extensive career in Project Management. She’s creative, crafty and loves collecting houseplants. As a family, they love exploring wild places and she loves documenting their adventures.

Find more from Araceli in the following locations:
Instagram: @roaminggonzalez