ABOUT THE RESERVE: Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and its tidepools are part of a San Mateo County Park located in Moss Beach, CA, about 40 minutes south of San Francisco. The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve tidepools are one of the most beautiful and easily accessible natural wonders of the Northern California coast. Recently designated a Marine Protected Area, the rocky shore of the reserve becomes an outdoor classroom at low tide, allowing explorers of all ages to marvel at the diversity of marine life and learn more about protecting the ocean and its inhabitants. On any given day visitors may see sea urchins, sea stars, harbor seals, various mollusks, and even the elusive red octopus. OUR MISSION: The Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve was formed in 1985 to assist then Supervising Ranger Bob Breen in educating visitors about the reserve and its inhabitants and helping promote the reserve’s welfare. Our mission is to inspire the preservation of our unique intertidal environment through education and the support of research. Every year, our volunteer naturalists take about 5000 school children on guided tours of the intertidal environment, and introduce thousands of other visitors to the wonders of our rocky coastline. We also organize beach cleanups and hold other events that combine family fun with learning about and protecting our environment.