this spot is one of my favorite in my hometown. the ecology here is almost completely polar opposite to my spot in vermont. my friends and i usually refer to it as tree, referring to the canary island date palm that we like to sit under. there is always shade here to save you from the hot sun and it is somewhat hidden behind the dunes that separate where all the tourists go on the main beach. the small sand dunes are covered in hottentot figs, or more commonly known as ice plants. they are usually green with red tips and sometimes have purple flowers. closer to the rocks you can also find lots of california sagebrush. the landscape here is drastically different from oakledge park; there are no eastern hemlocks, red oaks, barberries or honeysuckle. the climate here is the same all year round and never changes. when i went today it was 75 degrees and sunny as it is every day. the coldest it gets is maybe 50 degrees at night in december, and the surrounding plants reflect this. on island you will see mostly palm trees and plants you would find in the desert. the soil on the beach is considered poor and well draining. there is a stormwater drain that flows out into the ocean near this as well. i also spotted 3 dead birds in near the drain which is unusual for this spot.
