Beaches and Parks from Monterey to Ventura

by California Coastal Commission

• ISBN13: 9780520249493
• ISBN10: 0520249496
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-04-04
• Publisher: Univ of California Pr

Summary

Between Monterey Bay and Ventura County's Santa Monica Mountains lie some of California's most spectacular coastal destinations. This easy-to-use, up-to-date, comprehensive guidebook is the essential companion for all visitors--sightseers, hikers, swimmers, surfers, campers, birders, boaters, and anglers--who want to explore California's fabulous shoreline. The California Coastal Commissionwas 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. The guide includes: * Descriptions of more than 310 beaches, parks, campgrounds, nature preserves, natural history museums, and outdoor recreation sites on or near the coast * The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Point Lobos, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Morro Rock, Santa Barbara, Channel Islands National Park, the spacious white sandy beaches of Ventura County, and more * 40 color topographic maps showing shoreline access and trails, 4 regional maps, and 2 foldout maps of California and its ocean * Easy-to-use charts that list key facilities and features, including wildlife viewing, food and drink, access for wheelchair users, and parking * Illustrated articles describing natural history, geology, local history, and more

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 11
Using This Guide	p. 14
Map Legend	p. 18
Monterey County 19-110
Northern Monterey County	p. 22
Salinas River to Sand City	p. 30
Seaside to Monterey	p. 34
Monterey Central	p. 42
Monterey and Cannery Row	p. 50
Pacific Grove	p. 56
17-Mile Drive	p. 64
Carmel Area	p. 72
Big Sur North	p. 82
Point Sur to Big Sur Valley	p. 90
Pfeiffer Beach to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park	p. 94
Esalen to Mill Creek	p. 98
Big Sur South	p. 102
San Luis Obispo County 111-180
Ragged Point to Hearst Castle	p. 114
San Simeon to Moonstone Beach	p. 122
Cambria Area	p. 130
Estero Bluffs to Morro Strand	p. 138
Morro Bay	p. 142
Morro Bay and Baywood Park	p. 150
Morro Bay and Montana de Oro State Park	p. 154
Avila Beach	p. 162
Shell Beach	p. 166
Pismo Beach to Oceano	p. 170
Pismo State Beach to Nipomo Dunes	p. 174
Santa Barbara County 181-252
Santa Maria River to Jalama Beach	p. 184
Point Conception to Gaviota	p. 192
Arroyo Hondo to Naples Reef	p. 202
Goleta Area	p. 206
Santa Barbara West	p. 214
Santa Barbara Central	p. 218
Santa Barbara to Montecito	p. 224
Summerland to Carpinteria	p. 232
Channel Islands National Park	p. 240
Ventura County 253-299
Ventura County North	p. 256
Rincon Parkway to Ventura River	p. 260
San Buenaventura	p. 264
Ventura Harbor Area	p. 268
Oxnard Area	p. 274
Port Hueneme Area	p. 280
Point Mugu to Los Angeles County Line	p. 288
Features
Caring for the Coast	p. 15
Maritime Chaparral	p. 26
Monterey Bay Dunes	p. 38
Monterey Bay Aquarium	p. 46
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary	p. 60
Monterey Pine Forest	p. 68
Rocky Shore	p. 79
Rivers and Streams	p. 86
Santa Lucia Range	p. 106
Northern Elephant Seals	p. 120
Colors of the Coast	p. 126
Coastal Prairie	p. 134
Bays and Estuaries	p. 146
Coast Live Oak Woodland	p. 158
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes	p. 178
The Island of California	p. 188
Giant Kelp Forest	p. 198
Vernal Pools	p. 212
Geology of the Transverse Ranges	p. 228
Coastal Sage Scrub	p. 236
Northern Channel Islands	p. 248
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary	p. 251
Ocean Currents and Sand Transport	p. 272
Beaches	p. 278
The Ocean	p. 284
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area	p. 292
Protecting Coastal Resources	p. 294
Afterword	p. 300
Acknowledgments	p. 301
Glossary	p. 304
Selected State and Federal Agencies	p. 307
Bibliography	p. 308
Index	p. 311
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.