California Coastal Commission Agenda map for their meeting on April 15-17th in San Rafael

Greetings!

Here is a map showing the locations of items on the agenda of the April 15th-17th California Coastal Commission meeting, being held in San Rafael.  In each place mark is a link to the agenda item staff materials.  Here is a link to the full map site:April 2015 California Coastal Commission Agenda Map

California Coastal Commission Agenda Map for their meeting on May 14-16th in San Francisco.

Greetings!

Here is a map showing the locations of items on the agenda of the April 9th-11th California Coastal Commission meeting, being held in Santa Barbara.  In each place mark is a link to the agenda item staff materials.  Here is a link to the full map site:May 2014 California Coastal Commission Agenda Map

Free Guide to California Camping

Greetings!



Just saw this, and will be exploring what it offers.  Coastwalk California has been working on gathering and sharing information on coastal resources for campers and hikers for decades, and we try to keep up with who else is helping get folks to the California coast.  Twenty-one parks exist along the coast, and we've hiked through all of them.  We'll be expanding our coastal access information through the work of the California Coastal Trail Association (CCTA), and this Guide looks like a good resource to include in our reference section.



http://digital.turn-page.com/issue/249352/4

California Coastal Commission Map for their meeting on April 9-11th in Santa Barbara, California.

Greetings!

Here is a map showing the locations of items on the agenda of the April 9th-11th California Coastal Commission meeting, being held in Santa Barbara.  In each place mark is a link to the agenda item staff materials.  Here is a link to the full map site: March 2014 Coastal Commission Agenda Map

Coastal Commission Agenda Map for March 12-13th Meeting in Long Beach

Greetings!

Here is a map showing the locations of items on the agenda of the March 12th-13th California Coastal Commission meeting, being held in Long Beach.  In each place mark is a link to the agenda item staff materials.  Here is a link to the full map site: March 2014 Coastal Commission Agenda Map

January Coastal Commission Meeting, January 8-10, 2014

Greetings!

Here is a map showing the locations of items on the agenda of the January 8th-10th California Coastal Commission meeting.  In each place mark is a link to the agenda item staff materials.  Here is a link to the full map site: January 2014 Coastal Commission Agenda Map

December California Coastal Commission Meeting, Dec 11-12, 2013

Greetings!

Here is a map showing the locations of items on the agenda of the December 11 & 12th California Coastal Commission meeting.  In each plaemark is a link to the agenda item staff materials:

California Coastal Commission, Nov 13-15th, 2013

Greetings!

We're always trying to find ways to help publicize the actions of the California Coastal Commission.  Here is a map of California, showing the locations of actions being considered at the Commission's meeting on November 13th to 15th in Newport Beach.

If you have difficulty seeing the map, clicking on the following link will take you to it directly - CCC Meeting Map

Coastal Erosion

Greetings!

Nigerian coastal erosion.

Gregory

Sonoma County Iron Ranger Letter to the Board of Supervisors

Greetings!

Here is a letter sent to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors opposing the instalation of iron rangers on the Sonoma coast.

June 12, 2013

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors

575 Administration Drive, Room 100 A

Santa Rosa, CA 95403

RE: State Parks appeal regarding Iron Ranger placement at the Sonoma Coast

Dear Chair Rabbit and Supervisors:

Coastwalk California, a 30 year old statewide 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, was initially founded to support public access to our coastline as called for in Proposition 20 and the California Coastal Act.  The first "Coastwalk" was actually a protest march along the Sonoma coast with a goal of calling attention to coastal public access issues. This first "coastwalk" was so much fun that the participants decided to hold "coastwalks" every year, inviting the public on coastal camping expeditions that would educate participants about coastal preservation and public access.  In keeping with our commitment to public access we feel compelled to express our concern about State Parks permit applications  for installing "iron rangers" at various sites along the Sonoma Coast.

Coastwalk is a big supporter of State Parks and the State Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR). We consider State Parks to be one of our most important partners.  We understand that State Parks has been directed to identify revenue sources that will help restore its fiscal health and long term sustainability.  So, we do not want to seem obstructionist when it comes to supporting the agency's path to financial redemption.  However, from a long term policy perspective, we believe that State Parks should be reversing the trend toward ever higher fees, particularly in the coastal zone, and moving back toward policies that will eventually make State Parks properties, which are owned by the public, more financially accessible.  Specifically, the Coastal Act calls for free access to the coast and the substantial parking fees facilitated by the installation of "iron rangers" negate free access.   Perhaps, given the State's current fiscal situation, fees may be a short term remedy, but current policies should be set with an eye to the long  term goal of ensuring free access.  Ever rising parking fees have been implemented in Southern California, pricing many people off the beach.  Setting the president of charging fees in Sonoma County, where fees for State Beaches have never been charged in the past would seen to establish a trend that goes in the wrong direction.

Coastwalk believes that parking fees are a very real barrier to public access, particularly to the large population of low income residents living in inland areas. This is a social justice issue and a public access issue. Public transit to coastal beach destinations is very  limited.   The primary viable method for arriving at the beach is the automobile - so, charging to park at the beach is, in effect, charging to access the beach.

Parking fees are in reality a very regressive tax.  Lower income individuals, and the middle class, are paying a much higher proportion of their income to access public property (the beach) than those who have greater means. Additionally, in most area of California,  those of greater means are more likely to live near the beach and therefore will not need to use parking facilities. Parking fees, in effect, ensure that lower income people do not go to the higher income neighborhoods where many beaches are located. The parking fees charged in recent years, which can no longer be called "modest", ensure that the beach has ceased being a "low cost visitor serving facility".

Parking fees also place an undue burden on surrounding neighborhoods, municipalities and jurisdictions.  When fees are high at State Beach lots, many beachgoers choose to park on side streets and elsewhere.  This creates a cost to local government for law enforcement  and a nuisance to homeowners.  Business owners may also be negatively  impacted by beachgoers monopolizing  customer parking. Environmental damage will likely occur from people parking on the road in rural areas and walking through sensitive habitat to access the beach.  Local government is very short on resources.  There simply are not enough county personnel to adequately police the areas impacted by the predictable changes in coastal user behavior should these fees be implemented.

The word "fee"  implies that it is offsetting a specific cost.  Are parking "fees" actually tied to the cost of capital investment in parking lots and facilities, or to the operation of the parking lots.? Are the fees offsetting the cost of restrooms or the availability of lifeguards?  Fees are being charged indiscriminately regardless of amenities available at a site.  Additionally, if the fees are actually levied to support amenities other than parking, then the few  beach-goers who are able to use transit to arrive at the beach  are not shouldering their proportion of the burden of operating these amenities, so therefore the fees are arbitrary in nature. Coastwalk hopes to see these issues examined by the new Parks Forward Commission as it works to develop policies that will sustain our Parks System while hopefully enhancing access for all of the public.  In the Parks Forward Commission's  mission to make our Parks system more relevant to California's changing demographics, the issue of financial barriers to access must be addressed.

In the long run, significant parking fees may be needed to motivate beachgoers to forgo using their cars and motivate them toward using transit in the future.  We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions as is called for by State policy.  However,  motivating beachgoers toward transit requires that an affordable and viable transit system be available.  Viable transit means that beachgoers be able to get to the beach from inland areas in a reasonable amount of time.  Affordable and viable transit is not available along the coast in most areas of California at this time.  Until a robust affordable transit system exists, significant parking fees constitute a substantial barrier to coastal public access since there is not a reasonable alternative to accessing the beach without an automobile.

The people of California voted for the Passage of Proposition 20 in 1972 largely in support of beach access. They envisioned free access to their public property, our beaches and coastline.  Taxpayers expect access to the properties and amenities that their taxes have paid for.  Access to free recreation is vital to our health, both physical and mental, and creating financial barriers to it gives rise to more costs than savings in the long run.  Beach access is a huge positive economic driver.  State Parks deficit is small relative to the State's as a whole AND relative to the economic activity generated by access to our coastline and the recreation opportunities provided by the State Parks system. Public support of common infrastructure does generate private economic benefit therefore publically owned assets need not be treated as profit centers that must generate fee based revenues since their positive economic effect is realized in private economic activity and its resulting tax revenue.

For all of these reasons, we find it totally unacceptable for these collection devises to be installed.  Please uphold Sonoma County's long tradition leadership of supporting coastal public access by just saying no to iron rangers! 

Thank you so much for considering our comments.

Sincerely,

Una J. M. Glass

Executive Director,  Coastwalk California

Google CCT Map Project

Greetings!

Several years ago, I promised Don Nierlich that I would carry on his dream of improving Coastwalk's Online California Coastal Trail (CCT) Maps. Almost 500 detailed maps had been created, identifying the locations of public access points for the CCT, and including photos and information related to public amenities. Visually stunning at the time of their development, current challenges are to add more content, improve their quality, and make them more accessible online.

Innovations by Google in Google Maps and Google Earth have provided an opportunity to link our map database to customized presentations residing on our website and blogs, and to utilize the information within our current program to support the California Coastal Trail Association.  Using the public access points as the online homes of important content all along the Trail, we can support the efforts of CCT activists in local government, Coastwalk California chapters, and the general public.

The Prezi embedded below describes the online architecture of our initial structure of the data and its presentations.  We encourage your thoughts through this post's comments feature on how we might improve the project's design.

California Local Coastal Planning

Greetings!

California County Local Coastal Plan activities will be posted on the following blogs:

Del Norte
Humboldt
Mendocino
Sonoma
Marin
San Francisco
San Mateo
Santa Cruz
Monterey
San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara
Ventura
Los Angeles
Orange
San Diego


Here is a report on the Status of California's Local Coastal Plans from the Coastal Commission:

Local Coastal Plan Update Advocacy

Recently, two members of Coastwalk California's Advocacy Committee provided comments to local planning bodies working to improve their Local Coastal Plans.  

Stan Bluhm testified on March 27th before the Marin County Board of Supervisors in favor of continuing to explore a possible water crossing (on-call ferry service) across the mouth of Tomales Bay and Bolinas Lagoon, both of which are necessary to realize a continuous CCT through Marin County.  The update to the Plan moves the CCT to alongside Highway 1 along the east side of Stinson Beach, and we were pleased that the Board agreed to wording which indicates that the north county trail alignment along rural roads is a "interim route".  Video of the hearing can be seen at: http://marin.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=33&clip_id=6135 , and Stan's public testimony can be read at: ·       http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/CD/main/pdf/planning/coastal/Letters/Coastwalk_3-27-2012.pdf.

Nancy Graves provided comments to the North San Luis Obispo County Coastal Trail Master Update Planning Hearings (http://www.slocoastaltrail.com).  Here is her letter:

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft Northern San Luis Obispo County Coastal Trail Master Plan. Alta Planning has done a fine job of integration within this multifaceted area. I was happy to see the plan come together using the wealth of documentation available, and appreciate the difficulty of creating the Master Plan that will guide the future of this magnificent coastline.

I am going to limit my comments to those areas where I believe Alta may have missed some opportunities for sensitive planning of the California Coastal Trail. While I understand the reluctance to show beach routes as viable hiking trails, I think it is important for planning purposes to include them as planned loop trails along with the designated sidepaths and bluff top trails shown.

Considering how people will use this natural recreation area: most will arrive by vehicle, leave their vehicles parked in a staging area and plan to access the sandy and tidal beaches for the day. Providing loops with controlled vertical accesses to the beach can be the most protective of the sensitive resources in the marine terraces. These vertical accesses need to be clearly identified in the plan. For hikers and families with children, a walk along the beach with a return to the staging area by a sidepath or bluff top trail can be the most valuable and educational natural experience we can provide. Therefore, the vertical accesses become a important component for planning this use. For long distance hikers, the opportunity to leave the beach at specified accessways and walk on unpaved surfaces is a welcome relief. We are drawn to the beach, people will continue to access the beaches, especially the sandy ones. Without controlled vertical accesses, volunteer trails through sensitive habitats will become the norm. By planning the walking routes with loops back to staging areas, peoples’ experience will be enriched while keeping sensitive areas free of volunteer trails.

I have not done a complete study of specific loop trails within the Study Area, but some obvious areas for envisioned loop trails would include Segments 2, 3 and 6. Segment 6.  Estero Bluffs is already in use in this way. While the draft Master Plan addresses those volunteer and overused vertical accesses in Segment 6, it does not address the concept of the looped beach trail. In Segments 2 and 3, within the Hearst San Simeon acquisition, there is an excellent opportunity for integrating staging areas, sidepaths, beach and bluff routes with short, midrange and long distance loops.

There is this unspoken fear, especially from land managers, that we must shield people from the natural world and at the same time, schizophrenically, teach them to protect and respect the natural world. I believe the famous saying that we only cherish that which we can experience. This can only be accomplished by allowing access to that which is precious, dangerous and awesome.

As a coastal hiker, I and many in the Coastwalk family are well aware of blowing sand dunes, rocky shores, tidal headlands, seasonal creeks, biological and cultural resources and endangered species that can complicate and enrich a direct lateral beach route. These things are generally not deterents, and more often add to our respect for the natural experience. In the journal of the Coastal Trail Expedition in 2003, which can be found at the Coastwalk website, www.coastwalk.org , these challenges are what made the experience so rich.

I would encourage Alta Planning in cooperation with State Parks and the County of San Luis Obispo to include careful planning for beach routes within the Administrative Draft of the Northern San Luis Obispo County Coastal Trail Master Plan.

Thank you again for the opportunity to comment, I look forward to the next draft document.

Nancy Graves

SLO County Trails Advisory Cmte.

SLO County Transportation Advisory Cmte

Board Director, Coastwalk California

 

We're on Google+

The First 70 Film Project

The First 70 Film Project


The Project

Last May, California announced plans to close one quarter of their 278 parks, a devastating move that is intended to save the state a mere $22 million per year. The closure list includes thousands of acres of park land, recreation areas, wildlife reserves, and 50% of the state's historic parks. By July 2012 Californians will be bereft of 70 magnificent natural parks. The media has done little to disclose the ongoing closures or emphasize their impact.

Not wanting to miss the chance to see these places before they were gone forever, we decided to make our way across California in a converted airport shuttle bus, shooting as many parks and people as possible. Individuals we met along the way were concerned about the closing of their local parks, but no one had a collective firsthand experience of the overall picture. As we connected dots on a map, a pattern emerged. No one knew exactly what the conditions of closure would be, nor could they see how the state would ultimately benefit.

The First 70 is a short film about Californians banding together to enact change and develop solutions in the face of a glaring bureaucratic oversight. Volunteers have been forced to lend even more of their time and effort to support the already grossly underfunded state park system. Independent organizations and nonprofits have become obligated to step up to the challenge of keeping parks open, supporting them financially while working within the state's guidelines.

View the film:

Coastwalk Celebrates Annadel State Park and Proposition 21

Greetings!

Yesterday, Coastalk California and Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods shared a booth at Celebrate Annadel State Park 2010 to promote Proposition 21 amongst those who love and use one of our local treasures. While mostly preaching to the choir, many were introduced to the organizations and were made familiar with the ballot proposition.

Here are some photos of the event.

http://picasaweb.google.com/GFearon/CelebrateAnnadel2010#

Another Blogger Helping Us Enjoy the Coast

Greetings!

Lynn Millar has alerted us to a post on her blog about the Sonoma Coast (Walking in Sonoma County, Mostly and Her Blog), and I wanted to pass them on to our readers. It's a useful place to find links to many other walking-related blogs and websites, and I recommend it highly. Here's hoping she will continue to provide us with such high-quality insights and connections within the walking and hiking community.





Gregory Fearon

California Coastal Trail

Greetings!

I've created a video for use to help Coastwalk gain broader understanding of their efforts to develop the California Coastal Trail:



Sorry about it being cut off on the right. To see it in YouTube, go to:
CCT Trail

Gregory

New Grant Position

Greetings!

Coastwalk is looking to hire a half-time position in San Diego for the next six months to help us complete a Coastal Conservancy grant to work on the California Coastal Trail in that area.

If you're interested, send a resume to gfearon@sonic.net.

Dayhikes -March 23rd Edition

Day Hikes Scheduled as of March 23,2009:







Sonoma County

For general information on hikes, contact Jon Breyfogle (707) 795-7713 or Surveyor@sonic.net.

Saturday, April 11, 2009 9:00 am: Bodega Head and Salmon Creek Beach. Join Coastwalk for an easy to moderate 8 mile loop exploration of Bodega Harbor, Head, Dunes and Salmon Creek Beach. This hike has a lot of variety. We will walk along the bay, visit the site of the proposed nuclear power plant (ca 1961- 1963), circle the dramatic head, and walk through the dunes to the remote southern end of Salmon Creek Beach. After a stroll north on the beach we again cross the dunes and return to our cars on the bay. Bring lunch, water and good walking shoes, dress in layers.

Meet at the Coastwalk office in Sebastopol, 825 Gravenstein Highway North at 9:00 am. Leaderless carpooling is encouraged. We’ll return to Sebastopol between 4 to 5 pm. Questions? Contact Richard Nichols at rnichols@sonic.net or at 823-4071

Saturday, May 16, 2009, Salt Point State Park. This easy, 7 mile hike along the California Coastal Trail will begin after a carpool from our meeting place to the north end of Salt Point State Park. As we head south (with the off shore breeze to our backs) we’ll walk the coastal terrace, experience magnificent coastal views, see historic remnants of the Fisk Point dog hole port, pay our respects at the Fisk family cemetery and take our lunch on beach sands. Bring lunch, water and good hiking boots. Dress in layers.

Meet at the main Salt Point parking lot area at 9:45 am. To reach the Salt Point parking area turn off Highway 1 at the “Gerstle Point Campground” sign. Proceed straight past the park entry building and continue past the “Beach and Picnic Area” sign. Descend and turn right into the large parking lot just before you reach the Gerstle Cove day use area. Remember that there is a charge for day use activity at Salt Point.
Questions? Contact hike leader Gregory Fearon at 546-5771 or at gfearon@sonic.net.

Saturday, June 27, 2009 Red Hill Summit. A moderate hike (for elevation change) approximately 5 miles in length. By lunchtime we will have hiked from Shell Beach to the summit of Red Hill, situated in one of the newest acquisitions to the California State Park system. Weather permitting we will enjoy coastal views stretching from Point Reyes to Fort Ross. We’ll be back at the Shell Beach area by mid afternoon and for those who want to we’ll take a stroll up the Kortum Trail section of the California Coastal Trail to the Sunset Rocks rising from the coastal terrace.

Meet at the Coastwalk office in Sebastopol, 825 Gravenstein Highway North at 9:15 am or at the Shell Beach parking lot at 10:15 am. Leaderless carpooling is encouraged.
Questions? Contact Jon Breyfogle at 795-7713 or at surveyor@sonic.net .






Los Angeles County

Saturday, March 21, 9am: Happy Camp Hike – Simi Valley. Six hundred years ago the Chumash economy was booming, and prices in the shell-money economic system were rising. The cost of obsidian, the glassy volcanic substance used for points and edges, was driven up by dependence on importation from the California Sierra. Fortunately, these inventive people found a substitute in the area now known as Happy Camp, west of the Shimiji and Tapo settlements, and just north of modern Moorpark. It was fused shale, the 'poor man's obsidian', a metamorphic mineral with many of the necessary properties. Today, this Chumash industrial zone is a wonderful area for hiking, scenic vistas, wildlife observation, and rare quiet.

Directions: The Happy Camp Trailhead can be reached driving north on SR23 from central Moorpark. SR23 has 3 name changes along the 3.7 mi. route (from New Los Angeles Ave.): Moorpark Ave., Walnut Canyon Rd., and Broadway. Where SR23 curves left (becoming Broadway), continue straight and then make an immediate right (also Broadway) to enter the park. Map at www.lamountains.com/maps/happyCamp.pdf; MapQuest: “Walnut Canyon AND Broadway in Moorpark”.
Moorpark is easily accessed from the 101, 23 and 118 freeways, but check a map. It is 1.2 mi. to Moorpark Ave from the New Los Angeles exit of the 23/118 freeway. Parking is $3 in cash or check made out to the Mountain Conservancy. In March this trail is at its prime, but be prepared for heat, sun or wind along exposed ridges. Bring /extra/ water and lunch. Moderate-plus; fourteen miles; six hours; lots of short stops to catch breath and enjoy the views. Leader Phil Regier; phil_regier@hotmail.com

Saturday, March 28, 10:00 am: Visit springtime in the Forrestal Reserve - Rancho Palos Verdes. This is an "alta vista" of the Palos Verdes coastline and the California Coastal Trail. Docents from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC) will lead you on a 2 hour tour of the former basalt quarry. The restored coastal sage scrub habitat is in bloom. The quarry cut has exposed the geologic history of the area. Crystals and fossils may be found. Show them to your walk leader. The trail steepness is "moderate". Wear sturdy shoes and bring binoculars for birding and whale watching. No reservations required. FREE - donations appreciated. Directions: The walk starts by the driveway to the Ladera Linda Community Center, 32201 Forrestal Drive. At the south end of the Harbor Freeway (110), turn left onto Gaffey Strreet. Go 25 blocks and bend tight to the right onto 25th Street. About one mile after you enter the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, turn right onto Forrestal Drive where the Trump National Golf Club is to your left. There is free parking on Forrestal Drive. Sponsored by Los Serenos de Point Vicente (Los Serenos.org) and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (1-310-377-5370). For more information, contact: Sunshine at 1-310-377-8761 or SunshineRPV@aol.com, Subject: Day Hikes. Rain cancels.

Saturday, April 18, 9:30am: Coastal Slope Trail – Pt. Mugu State Park. The trail provides great views of the ocean and La Jolla Canyon as it follows the western part of the Coastal Slope Trail and loops back through La Jolla Canyon. We will lunch at an overlook with a view to the Channel Islands and Pt Mugu – a clear day permitting. Meet at La Jolla Canyon/Ray Miller Trailhead on Pacific Coast Highway, 2 miles west of Big Sycamore Canyon. Either park on PCH and walk in to the trailhead, or park inside (fee). Bring lunch and 2 qts water. Moderate+; 7 miles – 5 hrs. Leader: Linda Hillman; more info, 310-394-2799.

Sunday, April 26, 9:00am: Upper Sycamore Waterfall – Rancho Sierra Vista, Satiwiwa. Meet at NPS parking lot for a moderately strenuous hike of about 8 miles (5 hours) and elevation gain of 1800 ft. We'll hike down Upper Sycamore Canyon, up the Fossil trail to Old Boney trail and over to the Danielson memorial/Old Cabin site where we'll take a snack break. From there we'll visit a beautiful waterfall before returning to the parking lot.

Directions: Coming from 101 fwy, exit Wendy Dr. in Thousand Oaks, drive south about 2.6 miles to Lynn Rd., turn right and drive west 1 mile to Via Goleta, turn left and drive 1/2 mile to parking area. At Via Goleta there will be a big sign, "Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area". Bring plenty of water and a snack. Leader: Dave Edwards; info, 805-985-3728 or dave.wanda@adelphia.net.

Sunday, April 26, 3:00pm: Ocean Trails Reserve - Rancho Palos Verdes. This is a special spring time walk through the western portion of the reserve. It features the wildflowers in the native habitat restoration project and watching for the gray whales which are migrating at this time of year along with spectacular views of the coastline and Catalina Island. Docents from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC) will lead groups on a two hour walk to Founders Park and along the California Coastal Trail. After the docent led portion, trails to cobblestone and sand beaches are available. No reservations required. FREE - donations appreciated. Directions: The walk starts in the public parking lot, One Ocean Trails Drive. At the south end of the Harbor Freeway (110), turn left onto Gaffey Street. Go 25 blocks and bend tight to the right onto 25th Street. About one mile after you enter the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, turn left onto Ocean Trails Drive into the Trump National Golf Club. There is free parking in the lot on your left just before you get to the clubhouse at One Ocean Trails Drive and on Ocean Trails Drive. Sponsored by Los Serenos de Point Vicente (Los Serenos.org) and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (1-310-377-5370). For more information, contact: Sunshine at 1-310-377-8761 or SunshineRPV@aol.com, Subject: Day Hikes. Rain cancels.

Saturday, May 16 9:00 am: Abalone Cove Shoreline Reserve tide pools - Rancho Palos Verdes. Docents from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC) will lead groups on a two hour walk along the California Coastal Trail and into the tide pools at the extreme of the low tide discussing geology, plant and animal life, as well as marine mammals, and the Native Americans who lived here. Wear sturdy shoes as a portion of the walk is along the cobblestone shore. The beach access trail is "moderate". No reservations required. FREE - donations appreciated. Directions: The walk starts in the Abalone Cove parking lot. From the San Diego Fwy. (405), exit at Hawthorne Blvd. going south approx. 15 miles. Turn left onto Palos Verdes Drive West and continue to the park entrance on your right. 5907 Palos Verdes Drive South. If you get to the Wayfarer's Chapel, you just missed it. The parking fee will be waived from 8:15am until 9:30am if you tell the attendant that you are going on the walk. Sponsored by Los Serenos de Point Vicente (Los Serenos.org) and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (1-310-377-5370). For more information, contact: Sunshine at 1-310-377-8761 or SunshineRPV@aol.com, Subject: Day Hikes. Rain cancels.

Saturday, June 6, 9:00am: Santa Monica Canyon Urban Exploration/Will Rogers State Beach. S.M. Canyon has both environmental and historic importance. At the union of the Rustic and S.M. Canyon drainages, there are great views from the bluffs that border it both into the State Parks that border it and to the sea. Our 4.5 mile, 3 hr walk will explore this rich area, climbing or descending 10 stairways (1400 steps). Meet at Rustic Canyon Park, 601 Latimer Road, Pacific Palisades, CA 90402. Bring snack and water; wear hat and sunscreen. Option for another hike nearby after lunch. Cosponsored with Sierra Club. Leader, Marshall Ratinoff. Info, lataxman@att.net.

Saturday, June 27 10:00 am: Vicente Bluffs Reserve - Rancho Palos Verdes. Visit one mile of the "urban ideal" of the California Coastal Trail. Docents from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC) will lead a tour of the coastal public access amenities, the coastal oriented exhibits and all three "strings in the braid" trail corridors. This walk is appropriate for wheelchair users but the equestrian and bicycle corridors are still somewhat isolated. No reservations required. FREE - donations appreciated. Directions: From the 405, San Diego Fwy., exit at Hawthorne Blvd. going south approx. 15 miles. Turn left onto Palos Verdes Drive West. Turn right at the first opportunity and right again when you are facing the lighthouse. PVIC is at the end of the road. Sponsored by Los Serenos de Point Vicente (Los Serenos.org) and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (1-310-377-5370). For more information, contact: Sunshine at 1-310-377-8761 or SunshineRPV@aol.com, Subject: Day Hikes. Rain cancels.

Sunday, July 26, 3:00 pm: Endangered bird watching at Ocean Trails Reserve - Rancho Palos Verdes. Docents from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center will lead you on a 2 hour "summer season walk" to and along the California Coastal Trail through the east side restored coastal sage scrub habitat to see the fledgling California Gnatcatchers taking hunting and flying lessons from their parents. The walk includes spectacular views of the Palos Verdes coast and Catalina Island. The trail steepness is "easy". Wear sturdy shoes and bring binoculars. No reservations required. FREE - donations appreciated. Directions: The walk starts in the parking lot at the south end of La Rotunda Drive. At the south end of the Harbor Freeway (110), turn left onto Gaffey Street. Go 25 blocks and bend tight to the right onto 25th Street. Just after the road narrows and you enter the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, turn left onto La Rotunda Drive. If you get to the Trump National Golf Club, you just missed it. There is free parking in the parking lot at the end. Sponsored by Los Serenos de Point Vicente (Los Serenos.org) and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (1-310-377-5370). For more information, contact: Sunshine at 1-310-377-8761 or SunshineRPV@aol.com, Subject: Day Hikes. Rain cancels.

Saturday, August 29, 10:00 am: Vicente Bluffs Reserve - Rancho Palos Verdes. Visit one mile of the "urban ideal" of the California Coastal Trail. Docents from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC) will lead a tour of the coastal public access amenities, the coastal oriented exhibits and all three "strings in the braid" trail corridors. This walk is appropriate for wheelchair users but the equestrian and bicycle corridors are still somewhat isolated. No reservations required. FREE - donations appreciated. Directions: From the 405, San Diego Fwy., exit at Hawthorne Blvd. going south approx. 15 miles. Turn left onto Palos Verdes Drive West. Turn right at the first opportunity and right again when you are facing the lighthouse. PVIC is at the end of the road. Sponsored by Los Serenos de Point Vicente (Los Serenos.org) and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (1-310-377-5370). For more information, contact: Sunshine at 1-310-377-8761 or SunshineRPV@aol.com, Subject: Day Hikes. Rain cancels.

Saturday, September 19, 9:00 am : Abalone Cove, Sacred Cove and Portuguese Bend coastal clean up - Rancho Palos Verdes. This is International Coastal Clean-Up Day. Bring the family to help clean the shoreline. Gloves, trash bags, continental breakfast and educational literature provided. Wear sturdy shoes as a portion of the walk is along the cobblestone beach. The beach access trails are "moderate" to "challenging". There will be a truck to haul the trash out. High School community service credit available if prearranged with your school. No reservations required. FREE - donations appreciated. Directions: Check in at the Abalone Cove parking lot. From the San Diego Fwy. (405), exit at Hawthorne Blvd. going south approx. 15 miles. Turn left onto Palos Verdes Drive West and continue to the park entrance on your right. 5907 Palos Verdes Drive South. If you get to the Wayfarer's Chapel, you just missed it. The parking fee will be waived if you tell the attendant that you are there for the clean up. Sponsored by Los Serenos de Point Vicente (Los Serenos.org) and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (1-310-377-5370). For more information, contact: Sunshine at 1-310-377-8761 or SunshineRPV@aol.com, Subject: Day Hikes. Rain cancels.

Sunday, October 25, 3:00 pm: Fall colors at the Ocean Trails Reserve - Rancho Palos Verdes. Docents from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center will lead you on a 2 hour "autumn season walk" along the California Coastal Trail and down the Switchback Trail to the beach. Learn about local geology and fall blooming habitat. Stay to watch the sunset from the Founders Park on the Halfway Point bluff top. The walk includes spectacular views of the Palos Verdes coast and Catalina Island. The trail steepness is "moderate". Wear sturdy shoes and bring binoculars. No reservations required. FREE - donations appreciated. Directions: The walk starts in the public parking lot, One Ocean Trails Drive. At the south end of the Harbor Freeway (110), turn left onto Gaffey Street. Go 25 blocks and bend tight to the right onto 25th Street. About one mile after you enter the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, turn left onto Ocean Trails Drive (Trump National Golf Course). There is free parking in the lot on your left just before you get to the golf clubhouse and on Ocean Trails Drive. Sponsored by Los Serenos de Point Vicente (Los Serenos.org)and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (1-310-377-5370). For more information, contact: Sunshine at 1-310-377-8761 or SunshineRPV@aol.com, Subject: Day Hikes. Rain cancels.

Saturday, November 28, 11:30 pm: Abalone Cove Reserve tide pools - Rancho Palos Verdes. Docents from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC) will lead groups on a two hour walk along the California Coastal Trail and a visit into the tide pools at the extreme of the low tide discussing geology, plant and animal life, as well as marine mammals, and the Native Americans who lived here. This is a "no take Reserve" so the tide pools are teeming with fascinating marine life. Wear sturdy shoes as a portion of the walk is along the cobblestone beach. The beach access trail is "moderate". No reservations required. FREE - donations appreciated. Directions: The walk starts in the Abalone Cove parking lot. From the San Diego Fwy.,405, exit at Hawthorne Blvd. going south approx. 15 miles. Turn left onto Palos Verdes Drive West and continue to the park entrance on your right. 5907 Palos Verdes Drive South. If you get to the Wayfarer's Chapel, you just missed it. The parking fee will be waived from 10:45 to 11:30 if you tell the attendant that you are going on the walk. Sponsored by Los Serenos de Point Vicente (Los Serenos.org) and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (1-310-377-5370). For more information, contact: Sunshine at 1-310-377-8761 or SunshineRPV@aol.com, Subject: Day Hikes. Rain cancels.

Sunday, December 27 11:00 am: Abalone Cove Reserve tide pools - Rancho Palos Verdes. Docents from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC) will give a 10 minute talk about the gray whales which can be seen migrating along this coast and then lead groups on a 90 minute walk along the California Coastal Trail and into the tide pools at the extreme of the low tide discussing geology, plant and animal life, as well as marine mammals, and the Native Americans who lived here. Wear sturdy shoes as a portion of the walk is along the cobblestone beach. The beach access trail is "moderate". No reservations required. FREE - donations appreciated. Directions: The walk starts in the Abalone Cove parking lot. From the San Diego Fwy. (405), exit at Hawthorne Blvd. going south approx. 15 miles. Turn left onto Palos Verdes Drive West and continue to the park entrance on your right. 5907 Palos Verdes Drive South. If you get to the Wayfarer's Chapel, you just missed it. The parking fee will be waived from 9:15 until 11:30 if you tell the attendant that you are going on the walk. Sponsored by Los Serenos de Point Vicente (Los Serenos.org) and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (1-310-377-5370). For more information, contact: Sunshine at 1-310-377-8761 or SunshineRPV@aol.com, Subject: Day Hikes. Rain cancels.