Full Description
The California coast, from the majestic redwoods and rocky shores in the north to the palm trees and wide, sandy beaches in the south, is an area of unsurpassed beauty and diversity. This revised and expanded sixth edition of the "California Coastal Access Guide" is an essential handbook for both new and seasoned visitors exploring California's majestic 1,100-mile shoreline. With up-to-date maps and information, it is a valuable guide for all beach goers - hikers, campers, swimmers, divers, wheelchair users, joggers, and boaters - detailing where to go, how to get there, and what facilities and environment to expect.The Guide contains: information on more than 890 public access coastal areas; clear descriptions of campgrounds, trails, recreation areas, transportation, and parking; addresses, phone numbers, websites, transit information, and hours of use; information on wheelchair-accessible facilities; easy-to-read charts listing facilities and topographical features; 125 updated maps providing directions and driving distances; 15 full-color county maps; and, more than 300 illustrations.Also contained in this handbook is extensive information on environmental issues, updated to account for changing ecological conditions and conservation strategies.Feature articles cover a broad range of topics, including natural history, marine and coastal wildlife, environmental issues, and sports and recreation. Over thirty years ago California voters approved an initiative that led to the creation of the California Coastal Commission.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 way consistent with environmental preservation. "The California Coastal Access Guide", which was created with these objectives in mind, will prove indispensable to anyone with a desire to explore the magnificent diversity of California's beaches.
Contents
Foreword INTRODUCTION Coastal Access Program Public and Private Rights Hazards, Safety, and Liability Children and the Coast Protecting Marine Wildlife Caring for the Coast Boating and Boating Safety Beach Water Quality Access for Persons with Disabilities National Parks and Recreation Areas State Parks and Beaches Marine Sanctuaries Natural Reserves, Preserves, and Refuges Envi ronmen tal Camping Coastal Hostels Geology of the Coast Erosion Climate History of the Coast Historic Landmarks How to Use the Guide DEL NORTE COUNTY Oregon Border to Crescent City Crescent City Redwood National Park/Klamath River HUMBOLDT COUNTY Northern Humboldt Coast Orick to Patrick's Point Trinidad to the Mad River Humboldt Bay Humboldt Bay/Eel River Southern Humboldt Coast MENDOCINO COUNTY Northern Mendocino Coast Fort Bragg/Caspar Caspar/Mendocino Albion/Elk/Manchester Southern Mendocino Coast SONOMA COUNTY Northern Sonoma Coast Stillwater Cove to Russian River Russian River Jenner to Bodega Bay Bodega Bay MARIN COUNTY Tomales Bay East Tomales Bay West Point Reyes West Point Reyes South Bolinas Stinson Beach/Mount Tamalpais Marin Headlands SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY Northern San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge to Ocean Beach Golden Gate Park to Fort Funston SAN MATEO COUNTY Daly City/Pacifica Montara/Moss Beach Princeton/Half Moon Bay Mid-Coast Southern San Mateo Coast SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Northern Santa Cruz Coast City of Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Harbor Area Live Oak Capitola Capitola to the Pajaro River MONTEREY COUNTY Moss Landing/ Elkhorn Slough Marina/Seaside/Monterey Pacific Grove 17-Mile Drive/Carmel Northern Big Sur Big Sur Southern Big Sur SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY San Simeon San Simeon/Cambria Cayucos/North Morro Bay South Morro Bay Avila Beach/Northern Pismo Beach Pismo Beach SANTA BARBARA COUNTY Northern Santa Barbara Coast Point Conception to Naples Isla Vista/Goleta City of Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Harbor Area City of Santa Barbara/Montecito Summerland/Carpinteria Channel Islands Anacapa and Santa Barbara Island VENTURA COUNTY Northern Ventura Coast Pitas Point to the City of Ventura City of Ventura Oxnard/Port Hueneme Southern Ventura Coast LOS ANGELES COUNTY Western Malibu Point Dume/Malibu Malibu Pier to Topanga Beach Santa Monica Mountains West Santa Monica Mountains East Pacific Palisades/Santa Monica/Venice Marina Del Rey Playa del Rey/Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach King Harbor/Redondo Beach Torrance/Palos Verdes Rancho Palos Verdes/Point Fermin San Pedro/Los Angeles Harbor City of Long Beach Long Beach/Alamitos Bay Santa Catalina Island East Santa Catalina Island West ORANGE COUNTY Seal Beach/Huntington Harbor Huntington Harbor Newport Beach Upper Newport Bay to Crystal Cove State Park Laguna Beach South Laguna/Dana Point San Clemente SAN DIEGO COUNTY Camp Pendleton Oceanside Carlsbad Encinitas Cardiff/Solana Beach Del Mar/Torrey Pines Scripps/La Jolla La Jolla Bluffs La Jolla Pacific Beach/Mission Beach Mission Bay Ocean Beach Point Loma City of San Diego Coronado South Bay/Imperial Beach Afterword/Acknowledgements Selected References Index
