California Coastal National Monument

Map & Guide Where Land and Sea Collide

Waves explode onto offshore rocks, spraying whitewater into the air. Sea lions bark as they haul out of the surf onto the rocks, and a whirlwind of birds fly above. Millions of people gaze upon the California coastline and its stunning beauty year-round.

Point Arena Lighthouse

Connecting the Pacific Ocean with the land, the California Coastal National Monument provides a unique coastal habitat for marine-dependent wildlife and vegetation on more than 20,000 rocks, islands, exposed reefs and pinnacles along the California coastline. Nearly 8,000 acres of onshore public lands are also a part of the national monument: Trinidad Head, Waluplh-Lighthouse Ranch, Coast Headlands, Point Arena-Stornetta, Cotoni-Coast Dairies, and Piedras Blancas.

The offshore rocks and islands are a public resource and will remain protected for future generations, thanks to their designation as a national monument. These rugged outposts provide a protected haven for plants and animals, especially those that are sensitive to human disturbance. A Home for Marine Mammals Coastal Heritage Do Your Part to Support

Several fin-footed marine mammal species, called Humans have had a presence on the California coast Coastal Conservation pinnipeds, depend on the monument’s islands, rocks, for thousands of years, as the ocean provided food, The coastal environment is a fragile one. Here are reefs, and pinnacles for warming and resting, as well as raw materials, and transportation for the area’s original some important things you can do while enjoying the ocean around them for feeding. Harbor seals and inhabitant, Native Americans. The rocks and islands of the California Coastal National Monument to protect California sea lions are common around the monument, the national monument served as navigational aids (and this awe-inspiring place: and Steller sea lions and northern fur seals can sometimes impediments) for the early European explorers • When tide pooling, watch where you step. sometimes be seen. and later for fur traders and timber merchants. Today, Don’t crush or remove sea stars, crabs, or other millions of people live along the coast and millions more animals. Life in the inter tidal zone is challenging Sanderlingsp visit every year. enough without human interference. A Haven for Birds • Help marine wildlife by packing out what you bring to the beach. Plastic debris in the water A rock rising out of the ocean can be an important place can look a lot like food, which has huge impacts for birds to breed, lay eggs, or rest away from predators. to wildlife. An estimated 200,000 breeding seabirds rely on the • Volunteer with the BLM or one of our many rocks and islands of the California Coastal National coastal partners. There are opportunities for Monument. Keep an eye out for black oystercatchers, people of all ages to participate in citizen science pigeon guillemots, tufted puffins, several storm-petrel or stewardship of the monument’s natural species, and many other resources. birds making their homes among • Keep binoculars close by to capture great views Harbor seal Piedras Blancas Light Station the rocks. without disturbing the animals.

Visitors can easily tell the difference between harbor seals and California sea lions by looking for two outward characteristics. Harbor seals do not have any external ears, while California sea lions do have ear flaps. Also, harbor seals wiggle and bounce along the land on their bellies, while sea lions can use their tails like a foot to travel on land.

Double-crested Cormorant California sea lions Trinidad The California Coastal National Monument Stretches Onshore U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management The California Coastal National Monument also includes nearly 8,000 acres of public lands on the mainland. These lands give visitors a chance to see the monument’s seabirds, marine mammals, and tide pools, but and support their own unique plants and animals and offer other recreational opportunities.

Black Oystercatcher ` Trinidad Head Point Arena- Lighthouse Stornetta 1 4 Situated along the Trinidad Head Lighthouse is a small tower rugged Mendocino perched on a 175-foot shelf County coastline adjacent above sea level. The tower to the town of Point Arena, is still active, with an LED Point Arena-Stornetta offers beacon mounted outside the spectacular views of coastal lantern room. bluffs, sea arches, tide pools, the estuary of the Garcia The BLM manages River, sandy beaches and the historic lighthouse dunes with eight miles of cooperatively with the City marked paths. of Trinidad, the Trinidad Rancheria, the Trinidad The historic Point Arena Museum Society and the Lighthouse provides a Yurok Tribe. stunning backdrop to the area.

Waluplh- Cotoni-Coast Lighthouse Dairies Ranch 2 5 Near Davenport in Walpulh-Lighthouse Ranch Santa Cruz County, offers spectacular views Cotoni-Coast Dairies extends of Eel River estuary to the from the steep slopes of the south and the Pacific Ocean Santa Cruz Mountains to to the west. the marine coastal terraces overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There is a short, easy interpretive trail along Table Vibrant riparian areas follow Bluff where visitors can along stream corridors, with discover why there is no red alder and arroyo willow longer a lighthouse and read forests dominating the about the rich natural and vegetative community. human history of the area.

Lost Coast Piedras Blancas Headlands Light Station The Lost Coast 3 6 The Light Station Headlands stretch provides a glimpse along the coastal bluffs into our nation’s past when south of the mouth of the lighthouses served a vital role Eel River. in maritime navigation. Today The area provides seasonal it is managed as a historic beach access and includes park and wildlife sanctuary. grasslands with scattered The tower and some support patches of forest and buildings are listed on the portions of the Fleener National Register of Historic Creek and Guthrie Creek Places. The best way to watersheds. visit the Light Station is on The northern point of a public tour. Visit www.blm. California’s Lost Coast is a gov/piedrasblancas for more place of rolling mountains information. and windswept coastal bluffs crumbling onto narrow beaches.

Northern Elephant Seal Pigeon Guillemot Brown Pelican Common Murre Western Gull Contact Us Bureau of Land Management California State Office 2800 Cottage Way Suite W1623 Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 978-4400 [email protected] www.blm.gov/california

BLM/CA-GI-2021/001+6200