Our sandy beaches are part of the Southern California lifestyle but not for just surfers and sunbathers.  Beaches support an entire sandy beach ecosystem!

Important Sandy Beach Functions:

• Beaches support a diverse ecosystem, including invertebrates that are prey for shorebirds and fish.
• Beaches provide habitat for marine mammals, threatened plants and shorebirds, and other wildlife.
• Beaches filter seawater, recycle nutrients and buffer wave energy.

The Explore Beaches website was developed to raise awareness about the sandy beach ecosystem of southern California. Like many people, you may love the sandy beach but be unfamiliar with the wonderful ecosystem it supports. We hope by perusing these pages you will learn more about the dynamic sandy beach environment and the fascinating plants and animals that thrive there.

Have fun exploring the sandy beach ecosystems of Southern California!