Resources & Background Info

This is a list of reference resources used in the conceptualization, ideation, design, funding, regulation, and construction of this concept.

Regulation

California Coastal Act - Created the California Coastal Commission
California Environmental Quality Act - CEQA
California Assembly Bill 250 (2017) - Created the Explore the Coast Overnight Program

Strategic Plans

California Coastal Commission 2021-2025 Strategic Plan

Objective 2.1 Realize Public Access Required by Regulatory and Planning Decisions.

2.1.3 Coordinate with the California Department of Parks and Recreation (“California State Parks”) on opportunities for new lower-cost access and recreational facilities and/or enhancement of existing facilities on state park lands as public access mitigation for coastal development permits.

Objective 2.4 Encourage Lower-Cost Visitor-Serving Opportunities and Facilities.

2.4.1 Work with the State Coastal Conservancy, California State Parks, other governmental and non-governmental agencies, and tribes to identify, plan for, and provide new public access, recreational opportunities, facilities, and lower-cost visitor-serving accommodations including through effective allocation of existing and potential future in-lieu fees.
2.4.2 Develop guidance on mitigation strategies and land use policies in LCPs that support preserving lower-cost visitor-serving facilities, including lower-cost overnight accommodations.

2. CA Coastal Conservancy Strategic Plan 2023-2027

Goal 2.7: Explore the Coast Overnight
The cost of staying overnight at the California coast is
a major barrier to equitable access. The Conservancy
will support projects to increase the supply of lower-
cost overnight accommodations. This will include
projects to plan and construct a variety of affordable
accommodations, including campsites, hostels, cabins,
and other affordable lodging. The Conservancy will also
support pilot projects and partnerships that help make
those opportunities available to low-income Californians.

Studies

History of the CA Coastal Trail

Policy makers and coastal managers have long planned for a continuous coastal trail in California:

The 1975 California Coastal Plan provided in Policy 145, that “a hiking, bicycle, and equestrian trails system be established along or near the coast” and that “ideally the trails system should be continuous and located near the shoreline.”
The California Coastal Trail was designated California’s Millennium Legacy Trail in 1999 by Governor Davis and the White House Millennium Trail Council encouraged federal agencies to assist in developing it.
State Legislation in 2001 focused efforts to complete the Coastal Trail. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 20 (Pavely) declared the Coastal Trail is an official State Trail and urged the Coastal Commission and the Coastal Conservancy to work collaboratively to complete it.
Senate Bill 908 (Chesboro) charged the Coastal Conservancy in 2001 to prepare a plan, in cooperation with the Coastal Commission and State Parks Department, describing how the Coastal Trail can be completed. This Plan was submitted in 2003 to the legislature and is entitled Completing the California Coastal Trail. It sets forth the goals and objectives of the CCT and includes a blueprint for how missing links can be connected.
Assembly Bill 1396 (Laird) in 2007 identified the Coastal Conservancy as the lead agency for CCT planning, in consultation with the Coastal Commission, State Parks and Caltrans. (PRC 31408).
The California Legislature adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 153 proclaiming October 11, 2008 as California Coastal Trail Day.