Bay Nature Summer Dock Fouling Series: San Francisco

Join Bay Nature and writer and naturalist Eric Simons for a dock fouling excursion at the Marina Yacht Harbor in San Francisco on Friday, July 10 from 3:00–5:00pm. Inspired by Bay Nature’s Fall 2025 story “Finding Bugula,” this event invites participants to explore the strange and surprisingly colorful marine communities living just below the Bay Area’s docks and floating structures.

By carefully peering over the edge of the docks—or even lying flat on your stomach for a closer look—we’ll search for bryozoans, nudibranchs, sponges, tunicates, anemones, and other marine life thriving on pilings, floats, and submerged surfaces. The San Francisco Bay is famous for it's brackish water which creates a nutrient-rich environment for diverse ecosytems, supporting many native and endangered species. These shallow waters also serve a type of "nursery" for many marine and estuine species, providing plenty of food for juvenile animals and proctection from larger predators out in the ocean. This event is the fourth and final in a series of four Friday evening dock fouling outings taking place around the Bay Area this year, each offering a different mix of habitat, marine organisms, and waterfront atmosphere. Following the event, attendees are welcome to continue socializing informally at nearby restaurants and gathering spots.

Details

• Location: San Francisco Marina Yacht Harbor (Map: 3950 Scott Street)
• Duration: ~2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy; participants should be comfortable standing, kneeling, leaning over docks, or sitting near the water’s edge
• Parking: Public parking available along the Marina Green
• Restrooms: Public restrooms may be available nearby; plan accordingly

What to bring: Water, a towel or knee pad for leaning on the dock, hand lenses or waterproof cameras if desired, and comfortable close-toed shoes. Wear clothing you are comfortable getting slightly wet or dirty.

Weather note: This unique part of the bay is notorious for dense fog in the mornings that usually burns off by the afternoon. Plan to dress in layers and be ready for a windy, but lovely, afternoon.

Meet your guide: Eric Simons is a former digital editor at Bay Nature and author of The Secret Lives of Sports Fans and Darwin Slept Here. He is also coauthor, with Tessa Hill, of At Every Depth: Our Growing Knowledge of the Changing Oceans.

Tickets: This event is free for Bay Nature members. Registration is limited.

Note: Because Bay Nature events often fill quickly with waitlists, registrants are asked to place a $10 refundable attendance deposit. Deposits are refunded after attendance and are forfeited only in the event of a no-show or cancellation. This helps ensure that limited spaces are available to those who can attend.

Additional information

• All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
• Dogs are not allowed on Bay Nature events
• Participants should be aware that floating docks may feel unstable or in motion
• Please use caution around the water’s edge and wear shoes with good traction

Photo by Wes Radez.