The Kelp Forest

It’s hard to convey the awe that being in the kelp forest evokes, but the images attempt to describe it. Giant kelp glows golden in the sunlight, swaying with the surge, evoking a sense of calm. Standing tall as the world’s largest marine algae, giant kelp can grow up to 2 feet per day, providing an important habitat for invertebrates, fish, and marine mammals. The California marine state fish, the garibaldi, dressed in bold, orange attire is easy to spot, while the giant black sea bass measuring in at an intimidating seven feet and over 500 pounds, paces slowly in the deeper realms of the forest. No matter how many times you visit this place there’s always something new to see like the spotfin porcupine fish seemingly lost from its warmer waters of Mexico.