Table of Contents

Introduction
Using This Guide
Map Legend

Monterey County

Northern Monterey County 
Salinas River to Sand City 
Seaside to Monterey 
Monterey Central 
Monterey and Cannery Row 
Pacific Grove 
17-Mile Drive 
Carmel Area 
Big Sur North 
Point Sur to Big Sur Valley 
Pfeiffer Beach to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park 
Esalen to Mill Creek 
Big Sur South 

San Luis Obispo County

Monterey County
Ragged Point to Hearst Castle 
San Simeon to Moonstone Beach 
Cambria Area 
Estero Bluffs to Morro Strand 
Morro Bay 
Morro Bay and Baywood Park 
Morro Bay and Montaña de Oro State Park 
Avila Beach 
Shell Beach 
Pismo Beach to Oceano 
Pismo State Beach to Nipomo Dunes 

Santa Barbara County

Santa Maria River to Jalama Beach 
Point Conception to Gaviota 
Arroyo Hondo to Naples Reef 
Goleta Area 
Santa Barbara West 
Santa Barbara Central 
Santa Barbara to Montecito 
Summerland to Carpinteria 
Channel Islands National Park 


Ventura County

Ventura County North 
Rincon Parkway to Ventura River 
San Buenaventura 
Ventura Harbor Area 
Oxnard Area 
Port Hueneme Area 
Point Mugu to Los Angeles County Line 

Features

Caring for the Coast 
Maritime Chaparral 
Monterey Bay Dunes 
Monterey Bay Aquarium 
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 
Monterey Pine Forest 
Rocky Shore 
Rivers and Streams 
Santa Lucia Range 
Northern Elephant Seals 
Colors of the Coast 
Coastal Prairie 
Bays and Estuaries 
Coast Live Oak Woodland 
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes 
The Island of California 
Giant Kelp Forest 
Vernal Pools 
Geology of the Transverse Ranges 
Coastal Sage Scrub 
Northern Channel Islands 
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary 
Ocean Currents and Sand Transport 
Beaches 
The Ocean 
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area 
Protecting Coastal Resources 

Afterword 
Acknowledgments 
Glossary 
Selected State and Federal Agencies 
Bibliography 
Index

About the Author

The California Coastal Commission was created by the voters of California, who adopted an initiative measure in 1972 that formed the Commission and gave it broad powers to plan and protect the coast. Later, the California Coastal Act of 1976 established the Commission as a permanent state agency with a mission to protect, maintain, and enhance the quality of the coastal environment. One of the Commission's principal goals is to maintain public access and public recreational opportunities along the coast, in a manner consistent with environmental preservation.