What is the California Coastal Trail?
The vision for the California Coastal Trail (CCT) is a continuous interconnected public trail system along the California coastline. It is designed to foster appreciation and stewardship of the scenic and natural resources of the coast and serves to implement aspects of Coastal Act policies promoting non-motorized transportation. The Trail system is to be located on a variety of terrains, including the beach, bluff edge, hillsides providing scenic vantage points, and within the highway right-of-way. It may take many forms, including informal footpaths, paved sidewalks, and separated bicycle paths. When no other alternative exists, it sometimes connects along the shoulder of the road. While primarily for pedestrians, the Trail also accommodates a variety of additional user groups, such as bicyclists, wheelchair users, equestrians, and others as opportunities allow. The CCT consists of one or more parallel alignments. It is intended that the CCT system shall be designed and implemented to achieve the following goals and objectives:
The trail is recognized as both a statewide and national resource. Governor Gray Davis and the White House Millennium Council officially recognized the trail and it now designated as California’s Millennium Legacy Trail. The California Legislature has recognized it as a part of the statewide trail system; see report to the Legislature, Completing the California Coastal Trail [in PDF, 12 MB] and also California Coastal Trail maps [in PDF, 7.25 MB].
Does the California Coastal Trail exist today?
Yes and no, it is a work in progress. Of the 1250 miles of coastline, about 50% of the CCT is available and is being used by thousands of people every day.
The California Coastal Trail (CCT) is a continuous interconnected public trail system along the California coastline. It is designed to foster appreciation and stewardship of the scenic and natural resources of the coast and serves to implement aspects of Coastal Act policies promoting non-motorized transportation. The Trail system is to be located on a variety of terrains, including the beach, bluff edge, hillsides providing scenic vantage points, and within the highway right-of-way. It may take many forms, including informal footpaths, paved sidewalks, and separated bicycle paths. When no other alternative exists, it sometimes connects along the shoulder of the road. While primarily for pedestrians, the Trail also accommodates a variety of additional user groups, such as bicyclists, wheelchair users, equestrians, and others as opportunities allow. The CCT consists of one or more parallel alignments. It is intended that the CCT system shall be designed and implemented to achieve the following goals and objectives:
The trail is recognized as both a statewide and national resource. Governor Gray Davis and the White House Millennium Council officially recognized the trail and it now designated as California’s Millennium Legacy Trail. The California Legislature has recognized it as a part of the statewide trail system; see report to the Legislature, Completing the California Coastal Trail and also California Coastal Trail maps.
The CCT is located on lands owned by both public agencies and private landowners. As future segments will also utilize both public and private lands, a comprehensive approach for planning, implementation and operation of the CCT has been developed. This public/private partnership is headed by the State Coastal Conservancy, in consultation with the California Coastal Commission and the Department of Parks and Recreation, along with many other partners including Federal agencies (e.g. National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. military bases), State agencies (e.g. Caltrans, Wildlife Conservation Board), all local governments and special districts as well as various nonprofit and voluntary private landowners.
The Coastal Commission is a state agency responsible for statewide coastal planning and regulation, operating under the Coastal Act of 1976. An important part of this responsibility is the Coastal Commission’s role as the lead agency for CCT planning and permitting for the entire coastline. A primary objective for the Commission is to ensure the selection of a continuous and coordinated trail alignment, which respects and protects natural resources in a manner consistent with the Coastal Act.
The California Coastal Conservancy is a state agency created to assist in the implementation of the goals of the Coastal Act. In addition to the many resource protection and enhancement programs the Conservancy supports, maximizing recreational opportunities such as the CCT is one of the agency's highest priorities. The Conservancy provides funding to public agencies and private nonprofit organizations to acquire land and construct new segments of the CCT. (You can visit https://scc.ca.gov/ for more information.)
Coastwalk California is a nonprofit public advocacy group whose main mission for over 20 years has been to heighten awareness of the CCT, through such activities as leading hikes along the coast. Coastwalk California also has published a two volume series entitled Hiking the California Coastal Trail which includes a series of maps depicting Coastwalk’s current recommended hiking route along the coast. Note: these maps are not the official CCT maps. (To learn more about Coastwalk California, check coastwalk.org.)
Yes and no, it is a work in progress. Of the 1250 miles of coastline, about 50% of the CCT is available and is being used by thousands of people every day.
Just as construction of the completeTrail is a work in progress, so is the goal of signing the Trail. At this point, several hundred signs have been installed to mark many of the completed segments. To find these trails, take a walk in your favorite coastal park and look for this logo:
You can also check out the California Coastal Commission’s guidebook series, Experience the California Coast, which contains maps depicting the currently available coastal trail segments:
Policy makers and coastal managers have long planned for a continuous coastal trail in California:
Pursuant to a Coastal Commission permit issued to PG&E, the Pecho Coast Trail opened a 3.7 mile long stretch of coast in 1993 in an area that was previously off-limits to the general public. Thousands of hikers have walked the Trail and have been treated to spectacular views. The trailhead starts near Avila Beach at Port San Luis Harbor and traverses the promontory high above Avila Bay and provides views of the Nipomo Dunes and the open sea. The Point San Luis Lighthouse, undergoing renovation, is a popular stop along the way. Due to the sensitive nature of the area, hikes are managed by trained docents, therefore call 805-541-8735 to find out when hikes are scheduled. Walks are free! See the full brochure for more details.
The Pt. Buchon Trail, three miles in length is managed by the property owner, Pacific Gas and Electric. Required pursuant to a Coastal Commission permit, this bluff top trail begins at the southern end of Montaña de Oro State Park, and also includes access down to Coon Creek Beach.
In San Mateo County, Half Moon Bay residents and visitors enjoy the tranquility of and view from the 6 mile long Coastside Trail.