San Diego is one of California's most important tourist destinations. It's beaches are known worldwide for its white sands, iconic waves, rocky reefs and a wide variety of sea life.

Each year, thousands of visitors and residents explore the county's protected marine area without knowing that the places are protected given that they are ecologically important for the preservation of oceans and environment.

You may wonder, what's a protected marine area? A protected marine area (MPA), is an area in the ocean that has been preserved in order to keep marine ecosystem prosper and healthy. Much like national and state parks, this areas will ensure that future generations are able to enjoy this wonderful and natural resources.

Along the San Diego coast you can find 11 areas or "subaquatic parks", starting from the border with Mexico all the way up to Encinitas, these are excellent places to take the whole family and do healthy and recreative activities.

Surfing is an essential part of San Diego and the Southern Californian culture, given that it offers high quality waves all year round. Many famous surf spots can be found inside these marina areas such as Tijuana River Mouth in Imperial Beach; Matlahuayl and San Diego Scripps in La Jolla; and Swami's in Encinitas. The best beach for rookie surfers is La Jolla Shores located inside the protected area of Matlahuayl, and for more experienced wave lovers, Swami's in Encinitas located north of the county is the place spot to rid the tide.

Kayaking is one of the easiest and most popular ways to explore an MPA. You don't need experience and it offers the opportunity to see marine fauna up close. Inside the protected area of Matlahuayl, you can find La Jolla Cove which is a good place to start exploring. Here, you will find harbor seals, dolphins, sea lions, leopard sharks and a wide variety of fish including the Garibaldi fish. You can also hire tour guides to come along while you're kayaking, you can find them along Avenida de la Playa.

San Diego's coast has one of the most diverse and rich marine ecosystems in the world, becoming a destination for thousands of divers and snorkelers. Among these areas you will have the chance of seeing stingrays, red lobsters, seaweed forests, rocky reefs, purple sea urchins as well as a vast selection of fish such as sea basses. Once you dive into these water, don't be surprised if you see some seals swimming by your side! However, take the necessary precautions given that these animals are protected, so is important to keep your distance.

If swimming isn't your thing, no problem, you don't have to get into the water to enjoy of closer view of San Diego's aquatic life. Just walk around these tidal pools located along the sea shore and you will find a window to an incredible sea life. When the tide is low in areas such as Matlahuayl and San Diego Scripps in La Jolla, and Cabrillo in Point Loma tidal pools are very easy to find. Among them you will be able to see starfishes, mussels, urchins, anemones and crabs. This is a great activity for kids! You can explore and enjoy these areas always keeping in mind that these animals are sensitive to human contact and are protected under the law, so you cannot hurt, damage or take them home, but you can take lots of pictures of them.

Four of the protected areas are an important part of San Diego's wetlands. Famosa Sloughs, Batiquitos, San Dieguito and San Elijo's lagoons are excellent places to enjoy nature while hiking. Here you can appreciate wild life, specially sea birds such as white herons, brown pelicans, lest terns and clapper rails, the two latter ones are endangered species.

Thanks to the grand variety of sea life, there are many opportunities to do recreative fishing inside some of these areas. For example, in Swami's you can fish for anchovies and horse mackerels from the shore; and if you like harpoon fishing further on the area you are allow to fish for sea basses and sardas. It is important to remember that every MPA is different an it has special rules for fishing, so before you head on to the beach make sure you are aware of which activities are allowed.

To know more about the different rules for fishing please visit California's Department of Hunting and Wildlife webpage.

For more information regarding San Diego's marine protected areas o for a chance of become part of these areas preservation group please visit out site at www.wildcoast.net.

See you at the subaquatic parks!

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This article was written by Diane Castañeda, binational environmental activist and coordinator of Marine Preservation, WILDCOAST.

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zyanya.figueroa@sandiegored.com