The Pacific Ocean and California Coast

Given its 840 miles of beautiful coastline, California's relationship with the Pacific Ocean is deep and abiding. And if you ask SeaWorld San Diego's Jody Westberg, getting up close and personal with California's sea-dwelling inhabitants is a great way to understand and appreciate the connection between land and sea. In this episode of the California Now Podcast, Westberg—who has helped rescue thousands of wild marine animals over the years—talks with host Soterios Johnson about conservation efforts along the coast.

Johnson also chats with Lauren Bergloff, a tour guide at the oceanfront Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes. Terranea offers a wide variety of nature experiences along the shore, and Bergloff describes the joys of tidepooling, kayaking, or simply walking on a trail that hugs the coast.

The episode concludes with an interview with Allison Soergel, a conservation expert with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, who shares insights about this venerable institution’s ongoing research into marine life and habitats along the Central Coast. Soergel also underscores why Aquarium staffers are so eager to have conversations about conservation with visitors.

Guests

Jody Westberg, Stranded Animal Coordinator at SeaWorld San Diego

Lauren Bergloff, Tour Guide and Sustainability Leader at Terranea Resort

Allison Soergel, Manager of Conservation Interpretation at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Resources

SeaWorld San Diego's Jody Westberg points listeners to some of her favorite animal encounters—and encourages listeners to visit the sea otters when they come to the park.

SeaWorld San Diego

San Diego

La Jolla

La Jolla Cove

SeaWorld Rescue & Rehabilitation Teams

Channel Islands National Park

Manta Roller Coaster

SeaWorldAnimal Interactions and Tours

Penguin Encounter

Sloth Encounter

SeaWorld San Diego Mobile App

Terranea Resort Tour Guide and Sustainability Leader Lauren Bergloff says visitors are likely to catch glimpses of whales, sea lions, and seals during hikes and kayak trips at the property.

Terranea Resort

Discover Los Angeles

Abalone Cove Shoreline Park

Point Vicente

Palos Verdes Nature Preserve

The Spa at Terranea

Solviva

Bashi

Catalina Kitchen

mar'sel

Nelson's

Monterey Bay Aquarium Manager of Conservation Interpretation Allison Soergel recommends close encounters with the sea-dwelling residents of the aquarium.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Kelp Forest

Open Sea

Seafood Watch Program

See Monterey

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Sea Otter Surrogacy Program

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

About the Host

Soterios Johnson, formerly the local host of National Public Radio’s Morning Edition on radio station WNYC, moved from New York City to Davis in 2016. By combining his journalistic instincts with his personal curiosity, Johnson will use the California Now Podcast platform to develop a deeper understanding of his adopted home.