In Reply to: Re: Dendraster excentricus (Sand Dollar) from San Clemente Island posted by Dave on June 17, 2009 at 14:43:29:

The largest and densest Dendraster excentricus (Sand Dollar) beds I have ever seen were at El Porto (North Manhattan Beach). El Porto is know as a great surf spot because the swell that passes between Point Conception and San Miguel Island hits shore there. That same swell that brings the surf makes for well fed Sand Dollars. There are ten of thousands of Sand Dollars there in 15 to 20 feet of water. Far denser than anywhere else I have seen. I you can go on a weekday there is easy parking, showers and heads, and not a long walk across the sand to the water. You almost don't need a depth gauge beasuse at about 15 ft the bottom almost flattens. If you make it to 30 ft you will be almost 1/4 mile from the beach.