Seaweed Foraging Adventure: Sonoma Coast

Examine underwater life with our resident seaweed expert. Heidi has been sustainably harvesting and selling seaweed for over a decade: she knows what to pick, how to pick it, and most importantly, how to make it taste delicious! 

This two to three-hour guided morning foray will meet on the beach in Sonoma, and be followed by a talk on what you collected, the science of seaweed, and how to cook your catch. You can expect to collect up to 10 lbs. of edible seaweed. 

This is a coastal forage during low tide. You won't need to get in the ocean but we recommend wearing rain boots.

What to bring?
4-6 Gallon bags/Ziplocs; a pen or Sharpie marker for labeling; and shears. We prefer gardening shears in a holster, though regular office scissors are fine. You may also want to bring water, a snack, and a camera. We will be separated from our cars during the entire duration of the foray.

What to wear?
Bring both a wool hat and a sun hat—weather conditions vary widely! Wear tall rain boots (mid-calf or below the knee if you have them) or water sandals (it’s 52* though!) and bring an extra pair of socks and change of clothing, just in case. Your shoes/boots should have good traction, as the shore rocks can be very unstable, sharp, and slippery.

What are the physical demands of this trip?
There is a set of about 100 stairs leading down to the beach. While on the shore, you’ll need safe shoes to walk over the rocks, which can be slippery and unstable.