Crustacean Inlet
Alameda County
Alameda, CA

Planted by PrincessLea on June 11, 2003; note: clues changed March 2008

terrain: very easy - flat everywhere

roundtrip distance: less than a mile

This series was renamed due to problems with the boxes going missing repeatedly. The location is now a bit of a mystery, but not hard to solve. Parking lot available. There is no parking fee and dogs are allowed on leash.

Box #1 - Crustacean Inlet 

This location has been designated the first California estuarine marine reserve. Its mud flat and rocky shore area are an important wildlife habitat. There is strong emphasis on the interdependence of marine life and shore life and on the urgency of preserving the marine and estuarine environment.

For the letterbox, take the path past the Visitors Center and head to the right, past the ranger center. You can take either the path through the picnic area, or the special ramp which allows wheelchair users (and others) to explore the tidepools. Past the picnic area, leave the paved path and head out onto the gravely peninsula. Find the large tree root driftwood with the WATER below it.  There will be 3 rocks near the end of the WATER - the box is under the one closest to the WATER.  Please rehide completely!

Box #2 - Neptune Beach

In the 1920s and 1930s this area was a huge amusement park known as Neptune Beach, with rollercoasters and salt water swimming pools. It was "the" destination back then. A special section of the visitor center is devoted to Alameda's colorful history. During and just after World War II, this area was the site of the U.S. Maritime Service Officers School, a training base for Merchant Marine commanders. What is now the visitor center building was the base infirmary.

For this letterbox, return to the visitor center and continue in the other direction along the water. From the last table of the Mariner's Lagoon picnic area cross to the beach side of the path to the lone pine. Find where the bough meets the rocks and notice a pile of rocks and pine cones - box is below the needles. Cover well when you leave.

Note: when I checked on this box in March 2008, the sign for Mariner's Lagoon was missing due to construction in the area.  It is the picnic area just before the pond (or is it a lagoon?).

Bonus Box : There is a hybrid geocache very nearby to the Neptune Beach box. There is a stamp inside but it is not listed on Letterboxing.org. From the duck sign, you turn right instead of left. Here is the link for complete directions Trails Challenge Geocache.

 Status Reports

Date	Report
September 5, 2003	Both boxes alive and well - will return soon with new booklets for stamping in as the original ones are full
November 25, 2003	Box #1 confirmed missing - will be replaced
January 6, 2004	Went to replace Box #1, and it is in a slightly different place than the original. Version 2.0 of the stamp is a different image, so in theory this could be considered a whole new "F" for your book. Encountered the Conservation Corps chopping down all the anise in the stinky marsh where Neptune Beach was originally planted. Miraculously it had not been thrown away, so I retrieved and moved its hiding place as well. Previous visitors will be pleased to note that you no longer have to cross a ledge to retrieve the box!
June 29, 2004	Tara reported Neptune Beach box missing - I confirmed it and replanted the box today
September 25, 2004	Golden Trout reports Neptune Beach is missing again! Darn it. But Box #1 is alive and well.
March 19, 2005	BootZooCrew reports Box #1 is missing.
May 20, 2005	Renamed the boxes and replanted both boxes - please rehide them well so they don't go missing again. The geocache is also still alive and well.
April 2006	The Crustacean Inlet box was washed from its hiding place during the winter rains - it has been pulled for maintenance. I will post a note when it is back in place. Neptune Beach is alive and well.
March 2008	Crustacean Inlet box replanted in a new spot; both boxes open for business!