The California Current Ecosystem is an incredible, dramatic and ecologically important coastline and marine area stretching from Point Piedras Blancas in the South and Point Arena in the North. As the crow flies, about 435 km separate these two points. In between, is a diverse mishmash of state parks, marine reserves, conservation areas, national seashores, national recreation areas, and a national monument that spans the whole California coast. The Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and California State Parks manage most of these special lands and seawaters.

This massive collection of marine and coastal protected areas is nearly the size of Portugal's entire West Coast. Moreover, it might get even larger with the recent designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

Here are 20 locations that exemplify the California Current Ecosystem.

California Coastal National Monument ____________________________

Gateway: Point Arena-Stornetta Unit

Access: Point Arena Lighthouse

Access: Arena Cove Historic District

Gateway: Cotoni-Coast Dairies Unit

Access: Cotoni-Coast Dairies (North) Trailhead + trail map (pdf)

Gateway: Piedras Blancas Light Station

Access: Elephant Seal Vista Point

*All links are to Google Map locations

Point Arena is a wild place. Cotoni-Coast only recently had its first trails opened to the public. Piedras Blancas is known for its Elephant Seal Colony. Each 'gateway' covers significant areas spanning the nominated boundaries (North, Central, South).

Golden Gate National Recreation Area ____________________________

Access: Marin Headlands (map pdf)

If you simply photographed the Golden Gate Bridge, is that enough? I am confident that the Golden Gate National Recreation Area will not be included in full, but primarily the Marin Headlands.

Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary ____________________________

Access: Audubon Canyon Ranch (National Natural Landmark) & Bolinas Lagoon (Ramsar Site)

Access: Jenner Headlands Preserve (Managed by the Wildlands Conservancy)

Access: Salt Point State Park

*All links are to photographs

Since no one can visit the Farallon Islands, these locations are your best options. Point Arena is also located North of Bodega Bay, a charming seaside town.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary ____________________________

Access: Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park

Access: Año Nuevo State Park (National Natural Landmark)

Access: Wilder Ranch State Park

Access: Elkhorn Slough (Ramsar Site)

Access: Monterey Bay Whale Watch (Tour)

Access: Asilomar State Marine Reserve

Access: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (National Natural Landmark)

Access: Garrapata State Park

Access: Point Sur State Historic Park

Access: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

*All links are to photographs (excluding tour)

Some 'Big Sur' state parks have been affected by landslides, which have closed Hwy 1 (Point Sur, Julia Pfeiffer). The parks North of Monterey Bay, closer to Santa Cruz are far less crowded and have not had any road closures. Monterey Bay Whale Watch offers a handful of excursions out into the bay for 3 hours or the whole day. You will see whales. If you wish to stay in a historic loction along the coast, Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds (National Historic Landmark) is an option.

Point Reyes National Seashore ____________________________

Access: Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center

Access: Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center

*All links are to Google Map locations

Point Reyes is managed by the National Park Service. Its larger than you might think and there is a lot to explore. Elk and Elephant Seals in the same park.

To visit all 20 of these locations would take weeks of travel, my spouse and I have visited the California Current Ecosystem over the past 15 years (over several trips), thus we covered nearly everything. We always enjoy returning though, its a wondrous region of California.

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