Central Coast

California Sea Otter in Elkhorn Slough

Photo: Teddy Llovet

California’s Central Coast is a unique area that offers all the best that the California Coast has to offer. From the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains to the rugged drama of the Big Sur coast, wineries and ranch lands of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara’s sandy beaches, the beauty of the Central Coast is unsurpassed in the State. The Coastal Conservancy works with local, state, and federal partners to protect and enhance the region’s wildlife and habitats, recreational opportunities, farms and ranches, and waterfront economies. Our goal is to ensure that the natural and scenic resources found so abundantly in the Central Coast persist for the enjoyment of many generations to come.

Central Coast Project Priorities

  • Increase Climate Resiliency — With sea level rise, increased storm intensity, and other impacts of climate change, coastal communities and habitats are experiencing significant stress which will increase in the coming years. The Coastal Conservancy is working throughout the Central Coast to help local communities proactively adapt to these changes and to increase the resiliency of coastal ecosystems.
  • Improve Access to the Coast and Complete the Coastal Trail — Demand for access to the Central Coast’s beautiful beaches and coastline continues to grow. Improving access to beaches and other protected lands is an important goal for the Conservancy, including completing the Coastal Trail and regional trails that link communities to the coast, and constructing support facilities such as restrooms and low-cost overnight accommodations.
  • Protect Working Landscapes —The Central Coast is home to highly productive fruit and vegetable farms, as well as the expansive ranch lands. Agricultural lands, and in particular range lands, provide additional benefits such as groundwater recharge, wildlife linkages, flood water retention, open space, and scenic views. The Conservancy works to protect working lands through acquisition of conservation easements, assistance implementing enhanced management practices, and other measures.
  • Protect, Restore and Enhance Fish and Wildlife Habitat — A broad range of habitat types are found on the Central Coast, from wetlands like those found in Elkhorn Slough and Morro Bay Estuary to coastal chaparral and grasslands to redwood forests. The region is a biological transition zone from southern to northern California and supports great biological diversity, including many threatened and endangered species.  The Conservancy works to protect and restore these sensitive resources.
  • Revitalize Waterfronts — Waterfronts in communities throughout the Central Coast support local economies through commercial fishing, recreational boating and fishing, tourism, marine science facilities, and other activities. The Conservancy works with local communities to revitalize waterfronts and promote economic development through sustainable use of their coastal resources.
  • Tribal Partnerships — The Conservancy is working to build relationships with federally and non-federally recognized Tribes of the Central Coast region and to support Tribal priorities within the region. This has included projects such as working with the Amah Mutsun Land Trust to develop a Cultural Burn Program for wildfire resiliency and working with multiple Tribes and City of Santa Barbara to design a park that celebrates Chumash native heritage.

Central Coast Projects

Click on the links below to find out more about the Coastal Conservancy’s work.