Explore the Coast Overnight
Explore the Coast Overnight Assessment
The California coast is a world-renowned treasure, celebrated for its spectacular scenery, temperate climate, and unrivaled recreational opportunities. The image of the California coast is such a vital part of the national psyche that it is often a prominent feature in popular songs and movies. People are drawn to the coast for many reasons, but mainly to relax and enjoy its extraordinary scenic features and recreational opportunities. The beaches, bluffs, trails, piers, harbors, waterfronts, estuaries, parks, cities, and towns along the coast offer abundant opportunities for discovery and adventure during weekend trips or even lengthy vacations.
Despite the various access projects of the conservancy and other agencies, barriers to coastal access remain including the scarcity of affordable overnight accommodations for lower and middle-income individuals and families desiring to visit the coast.
To address this need for affordable coastal accommodations, in 2017 the California State Legislature enacted AB 250. This legislation created the State Coastal Conservancy’s Explore the Coast Overnight Program and called for the preparation of a Lower-Cost Coastal Accommodations Assessment.
The Explore the Coast Overnight Assessment can be found here: Explore the Coast Overnight Assessment.
2025 Explore the Coast Overnight Five Year Project Update
Explore the Coast Overnight Pre-Application Solicitation
The California State Coastal Conservancy announces the Explore the Coast Overnight project pre-application solicitation. The Explore the Coast Overnight Program aims to expand opportunities for all Californians to stay overnight and experience the coast. Through this program the Conservancy is now soliciting pre-applications for planning, design, permitting, and construction of lower-cost coastal accommodation projects using the funds appropriated from Proposition 68, “The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018”.
- Who is eligible to apply?
Public agencies, federally-recognized tribes, and certain nonprofit organizations are eligible for funding. To be eligible, a nonprofit organization must qualify under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Where can I find the application materials?
Pre-applications will be considered on a rolling basis and evaluated by Conservancy staff. Based on this review, applicants may be invited to submit a full proposal or asked to provide further information on their project.
If you have any questions about your project, please contact:
Joel Gerwein, North Coast Regional Manager
For projects located in: Del Norte County, Humboldt County, Mendocino County, Sonoma County, and Marin County
(510) 286-4171
Trish Chapman, Central Coast Regional Manager
For projects located in: San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, and San Luis Obispo County, and Santa Barbara County
(510) 286-0749
Megan Cooper, South Coast Regional Manager
For projects located in: Ventura County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Diego County
(510) 286-4172
Explore the Coast Overnight Webinar
On January 8th, 2019, the Conservancy hosted a Webinar to discuss the draft of the Explore the Coast Overnight Assessment. The recording of this webinar is here.
Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground
For more information, contact:
Rodrigo Garcia, Project Development Specialist
(510) 286-0316
rodrigo.garcia (at) scc.ca.gov