The California Coastal Trail Association (CCTA) is a growing alliance of Trail stakeholders – the public, local government, State agencies, NGOs, and businesses – working together to promote, support, manage and complete the California Coastal Trail. The CCTA is the only statewide organization that works to create a brand for the California Coastal Trail so that it becomes as well-known as other long distance trails like the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail.
In 2013, Coastwalk California, with help and funding from the State Coastal Conservancy, launched the California Coastal Trail Association (CCTA). Coastwalk also received technical assistance from the National Park Service for this project. The Association works to develop a collaborative network of cities, counties and other agencies that own or manage a strand of the California Coastal Trail. This network shares Trail information and resources, working together to ensure that the Trail has the wherewithal and plans needed to realize its completion. This step is absolutely necessary not only to manifest the vision of a continuous unbroken trail, but also to ensure the long term protection of California’s coastline.
The California Coastal Trail is an official Trail of the State of California that, when complete, will run the entire length of California’s coastline. It provides healthy recreation for people from every walk of life – a chance to get outside and revel in the beauty that is coastal California. It is tremendously popular with the public and is a huge economic asset, generating millions in tourism and from the outdoor recreation industry. The CCT provides free healthy recreation for everyone – old and young, from every community, income level and background.
The Association brings together everyone who owns a segment or has a stake in the CCT— cities, counties, local agencies, land trusts and other stakeholders. Join the CCTA and help make the California Coastal Trail the ultimate world class destination it was meant to be!
Our Partners
State Coastal Conservancy, California Coastal Commission, Caltrans, California State Parks, County and City Governments, Land Trusts & Coastal NGOs
Join Today, Become a Member
About the California Coastal Trail Association
CCTA Purpose
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Expand awareness and use of the California Coastal Trail (CCT)
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Promote Tourism and economic development related to the CCT
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Provide opportunities for under-served communities to experience the Coastal Trail
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Help counties and cities that own segments of the CCT by providing information, mapping and support so they can be successful in funding, completing, managing, and promoting their trail segment
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Link together NGOs and the public to share information, support trail users and promote the Trail
CCTA Plans
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Promote tourism and publicize the CCT as a destination
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Showcase the trail to the public on web sites, social media, and general publicity
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Provide maps and trail resources for the public, promoting its use
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Feature business destinations along the CCT in your jurisdiction in CCTA’s communications and on Coastwalk’s Coastal Trail Maps
Member Benefits
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Provide a direct link of CCT maps and resources for your geographic area to be used on your website
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Provide CCT best practices information, permitting resources, and staff education resources
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Connect stakeholder groups with local government to facilitate public support and Trail promotion
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Coastwalk Guided hikes in your geographic area to educate the public and visitors about your segment of the CCT
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Plus much more …
About the 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.
The California Coastal Trail will be a braided network of interconnecting trails and routes spanning California’s entire coast. Some strands of the braid will be improved multi-use trails open to hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, and mobility challenged users. Some strands will be light use, especially in sensitive habitats. Some will be rugged wilderness paths, others unimproved routes along beaches and yet others paved bicycle pathways.
The Trail provides for many types of uses depending on location — hiking, backpacking, walking, cycling, skating, equestrian. In some regions it is both a recreational and a transportation trail. Its variety is what makes it so wonderful. It is a tremendous asset to the people of California and the CCTA’s aim is to encourage its use and to provide resources that make it a richer experience and more accessible for everyone.
The California Coastal Trail is owned by well over one hundred jurisdictions – county regional parks, cities, port authorities, State Parks, and land trusts – just to name a few. It is absolutely necessary to the Trail’s success that there be a forum for all Trail owners and stakeholders to collaborate, share information and pool resources. That forum is the CCTA.