CALIFORNIA COASTAL TRAIL
The California Coastal Trail – a magnificent trail stretching from Mexico to Oregon – was mandated by Proposition 20 in 1972. That Proposition provided that “a hiking, bicycle, and equestrian trails system shall be established along or near the coast” and that “ideally the trails system should be continuous and located near the shoreline.” The Coastal Act of 1976 required local jurisdictions to identify an alignment for the California Coastal Trail in their Local Coastal Programs.
During the 1980′s as Coastwalk grew, it gradually took on the challenge of seeing the Trail through to completion by leading camping and hiking trips along the coast.
In 2008, to reflect our statewide work, Coastwalk renamed itself Coastwalk California.
Our work to complete the Coastal Trail takes many forms. We currently have a grant from the State Coastal Conservancy to help jurisdictions connect their local trail to the statewide California Coastal Trail system.
This work includes not only mapping the trail, but also gathering information, assessing routes, and installing official CCT signage. We work with the California Coastal Commission to have these routes designated as official California Coastal Trail.
We are also building a database of coastal information for Coastwalk Stewards to use in continuing to work for completion of the CCT. Interested volunteers and organizations can contact the Coastwalk office to find out more about how to help with this effort.
Want to find out more about the California Coastal Trail?
Go to our website at www.californiacoastaltrail.info
The Coastal Trail signage has begun!
Since approval of the official CCT insignia (right), 549 signs have been installed along over 198 miles of the coast: in Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Sonoma County, Orange County, Humboldt, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Mendocino and the Mendocino/Humboldt Lost Coast.
Coastwalk’s California is focusing much of its work on creating signage events and opportunities up and down the coast. If you are interested in getting involved, or want to get your local stretch of trail signed, contact us via email or at the Coastwalk office: (800) 550-6854. Download a copy of the signage guidelines.
Read more about the CCT signage effort.
Click image to view signage gallery.
