Garibaldi, La Jolla Shores, California

A juvenile Garibaldi in cloudy water, taken while snorkeling at La Jolla Shores on September 24, 2015 with an older version of  a Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera.

San Diego Safari Park Balloon Safari

San Diego Safari Park Balloon Safari taken on June 20, 2015 with an older version of the Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera.

San Diego Safari Park

San Diego Safari Park hills outside of Escondido taken on June 20, 2015 with an older version of the Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera.

San Diego Safari Park

Giraffes near Escondido, CA at the Safari Park taken on June 20, 2015 with an older version of the Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera.

Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve, San Diego

Penasquitos creek crossing #3 in Los Penasquitos Canyon taken on June 13, 2015 with an older version of the Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera.  Hard to believe this is June in California (for a small area around the creek at least...)

Scripp's Pier, La Jolla, California

Scripp's Pier on an overcast day from the North tide pool area taken on May 25, 2015 with an older version of the Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera.

Laguna Beach Sea Lions on the land and in the water

Laguna Beach, California sea lions in the water and on the land, taken on March 10, 2013 from a paddle board a few hundred yards offshore with an older version of the Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera. 

Laguna Beach Sea Lions in the water

Laguna Beach sea lions in the ocean, taken on March 10, 2013 from a paddle board a few hundred yards off shore with an older version of the Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera.

Laguna Beach Sea Lions on a rock

Sea lion rock at Laguna Beach, California, taken from a paddle board a bit offshore on March 10, 2013 with an earlier version of the Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera.

La Jolla Shores Garibaldi

A couple juvenile Garibaldi seen while snorkeling at La Jolla Shores / Marine Room on September 13, 2014.  On essentially all of these underwater pictures you need to dive down to get closer then take the picture with no zoom in diving mode (not snorkeling mode).  Zoom doesn't work underwater generally due to sand or other particles floating around.  Taken with an earlier version of the Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera.

La Jolla Shores Lobster

Three spiny lobsters hanging out at La Jolla Shores / Marine Room on August 8, 2014.  The yellow sponge? is interesting too.  The Marine Room area is southwest of the Marine Room restaurant.  Taken while snorkeling with an earlier version of the Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera.

Sunset at La Jolla Cove California

Winter sunset at La Jolla Cove California.  Taken while paddle boarding on January 3, 2014 using an earlier version of a Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera.

La Jolla Sea Caves

The La Jolla California Sea Caves from the Marine Room area.  Taken while paddle boarding on a calm morning.


Taken on September 10, 2015 with an older version of the Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera.

La Jolla Shores Lobster

A lobster seen while snorkeling at La Jolla shores / marine room on a low visibility day.


Taken on September 10, 2015 with an older version of the Panasonic DMC-TS6A LUMIX Camera.

Kelp Bass - La Jolla Shores

I saw these Kelp Bass today in La Jolla Shores San Diego while snorkeling near the Marine Room.  These white belly and mottled black and brown top bass are common in Southern California and I've seen them in sea grass and kelp.  They will sometimes congregate around floating pieces of kelp.  They seem to mostly eat small crustaceans off of the kelp.  They will sit pretty still and let you get close enough for a good picture if you swim slowly.

I took these pictures with the Panasonic Lumix TS4 12.1 TOUGH Waterproof Digital Camera  which I feel is currently the best waterproof point and shoot camera you can now buy.  Panasonic also makes a cheaper camera (model TS20) that it is hard to tell based on the specifications that it is significantly different, but the underwater picture quality is much worse.

Lake Miramar, San Diego CA

Lake Miramar or Miramar Reservoir (top picture) (location) is in the north eastern portion of the city.  It is popular for jogging, walking and biking since it has a 5 mile trail around it with very few (if any) cars.  There is also a dirt path you can mountain bike around the lake on.  You can also kayak, boat (there is a boat launch), or fish, but it is less popular for those activities.  The lake generally gets windy in the afternoons, but is relatively cool (70s or 80s).  You may see typical canyon animals, squirrels, lizards, rattlesnake, rabbits, maybe a coyote.  A portion of the lake is blocked off from entry.  The view from the dam is good (bottom picture).  Entry and parking are free, fishing requires a license.  Gates close at 8, so don't get trapped inside the parking lot.  Definitely a local destination and not something to go out of your way for if you're out of town.

La Jolla, San Diego, CA

La Jolla is one of the most popular spots in San Diego and it is easy to see why.  This part of the ocean is calmer or cleaner than other beaches, close to downtown and you can park not too far from a beach.  Kayaking, diving, snorkeling, surfing, and paddle boarding are all popular, or you can just walk along the coast and watch the sea lions.  Get there really early on the weekends and make a day of it.  Avoid San Diego in May and June if you're vacationing, you risk showing up on a stretch of June gloom and not seeing the sun for a whole week.

Red Sea Urchin - Laguna Beach

This is a red sea urchin crammed into the rocks at Diver's Cove in Laguna Beach California.  Apparently they can live 50+ years.  Red sea urchins are common and if you are scuba diving or snorkeling you are likely to see one every time you go out.

Sea Hares - Laguna Beach

I saw these two sea hares while snorkeling off Laguna Beach, Diver's Cove this weekend.  They live about a year and eat algae.  If you are looking you can see a sea hare about every time you go snorkeling in the Laguna Beach area.

Amazon offers a Sea Hare Peel and Stick Wall Decal for those really love sea hares.  Oddly the item has no reviews yet.

Laguna Beach Stonefish

I think this is a stonefish, which I saw while snorkeling outside of Crescent Beach near Seal Rock.  They can quickly change colors depending on what they are sitting on.  Apparently they are the most venomous fish in the world, however they are not usually deadly, I think I'll stay far away from them from now on.  Fortunately they don't seem to be a problem unless you step on them.