Find Out What’s Happening at the Cal Poly Pier in Avila Beach on April 23

Families and students at Open House on the Pier SAN LUIS OBISPO – The Cal Poly Pier in Avila Beach will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 23. The event is free, and the community is invited to come learn more about the marine research there.

Bring the kids and enjoy special touch tanks full of marine creatures including sea stars, crabs, octopi and urchins. Experience the world of microscopic plankton. Watch robots explore the sea bottom through a live video feed – and operate a “remote” underwater vehicle yourself.

Talk with Cal Poly professors and students about their ongoing research into the seas off the Central Coast, Morro Bay's ecosystem, sustaining local fisheries, mapping ocean currents, dealing with invading species and other ocean projects.

Tour displays at your own pace. Bring your camera to take photos, including creature close-ups and the magnificent views of San Luis Obispo Bay.

The walk to the end of the pier is a little more than a half mile (1.2 miles round trip), so wear close-toed walking shoes for your safety and comfort.

To get to the pier, from Avila Beach walk west on Avila Beach Drive across the bridge toward Port San Luis to the Cal Poly Pier entrance gate. Parking near the Cal Poly Pier is very limited; attendees are encouraged to park in the public parking lots in Avila Beach.

For more information, call: 805-756-6777 or print a flyer at: http://www.cosam.calpoly.edu/pdf/openhouse/OpenPier-2011.pdf.

For details on the pier and its programs, visit www.marine.calpoly.edu.

Note to editors: contact Teresa Hendrix at thendrix@calpoly.edu for jpgs of previous Open House days on the pier.

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