Explore the Coast Overnight
Explore the Coast Overnight Pre-Proposal Solicitation
The California State Coastal Conservancy announces the Explore the Coast Overnight project pre-proposal 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 preproposals 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.
- When are pre-proposals due?
Pre-proposals are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, April 30, 2021.
- Where can I find the application materials?
The pre-proposal application can be found here.
Pre-proposals will be evaluated by Conservancy staff. Pre-proposals submitted after April 30, 2021 will continue to be considered on a rolling basis. 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, please contact:
Karyn Gear, 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 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.
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:
Fanny Yang, North & Central Coast Project Support Analyst
(510) 286-2238
fanny.yang (at) scc.ca.gov
* * *
Rodrigo Garcia, South Coast Project Support Analyst
(510) 286-0316
rodrigo.garcia (at) scc.ca.gov
Project News
- Public Input Period: Updating the Project Selection CriteriaThe Coastal Conservancy is updating its project selection criteria and we are asking for public comments on the proposed new criteria. The draft proposed criteria are here. There will be a webinar to discuss the proposed criteria on April 16 at 10:00, to register, click here. If you would like to send in comments, you […] (Read more on Public Input Period:...)
- Coastal Conservancy Adopts Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Guidelines; Awards $7.8 Million for Coastal Restoration, Preservation and Public AccessOakland, CA – This week, the Board of the California State Coastal Conservancy unanimously adopted guidelines for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) and awarded $7.8 million to 13 projects to protect and restore the California coast and San Francisco Bay, and increase public access to these natural resources. The JEDI Guidelines will steer […] (Read more on Coastal Conservancy Adopts...)
- Deadlines Extended for Grant ApplicationsDue to the COVID-19 precautions in place throughout California, we have extended the application deadline for our North Coast Proposition 1 grants to April 27, and for Explore the Coast grants to April 20. For more information, please see the links below: Explore the Coast Grant Applications are due March 30, 2020 April 20, 2020 […] (Read more on Deadlines Extended for...)


