The strange pocked rocks of Salt Point State Park on California's Sonoma coast might look like messages cut in stone by creatures from another planet.  But they're really a rare formation of honeycombed sandstone called tafoni by geologists.

   Their weirdness delights and surprises kids and adults alike.  How they were formed isn't entirely understood, but scientists think that salt, water, and the grinding action of loose sand pitted and channeled the softer parts of the rock, leaving the more firmly cemented areas as raised partitions.

   The formations at Salt Point were shaped millions of years ago about 250 miles south of where they now rise.  But the San Andreas Fault, which runs through the park, yanked the sandstone to the north every time it slipped during the last 20 million years.

   The holey rocks are located an easy half-mile walk from Salt Point's parking lot.  The park's 6,000 acres along Highway 1 also include rocky promontories with dramatic views of waves pounding elevated stone terraces.  You'll find open grasslands, wildflowers, a pygmy forest, and tide pools full of sea life.  Campsites in the area can be reserved at  www.parks.ca.gov.
Information: 707.847.3221.