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WHALEBONE AT REFUGIO BEACH

Whalebone is best found at Refugio Beach during t he winter when
the storms have carried the sand off the bea-ch and exposed the
rocks.

TYPE OF MATERIAL FOUND Petrified Whalebone

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL

Whalebone occurs as light and dark brown, rounded chunks.
Agate has replaced the cell matter in the bones of these giant
mammals that lived in this area millions of years ago. There
are a lot of rocks here that look very much alike and it takes
careful scrutiny to distinguish the whalebone. Wet the pieces
you think have possibility and it will be easy to see the cell
structure when you do have a piece of whalebone.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED Rock pick.

HOW TO GET THERE Take Pacific Coast Highway (U.S. 101) toward
Santa Barbara. If you start checking your mileage from the
Miramar Hotel in Santa Barbara, Refugio Beach will be approx-
imately 26½ miles west. You should pay special heed when you
are getting near, as the turnoff is on a sharp curve and it is
very easy to miss.

Re~ugio Beach State Park has an outstanding campground. A palm-
tree grove grows right down to the beach sands and grass grows
thickly under the trees. There is a small charge for staying
overnight. You can park your car here for the day at no charge.
There is a snack bar, ice house and small grocery store in the
park. The whalebone is found among the rocks along the beach.

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