Viewers' Choice Winner Star at Sunset, Pfeiffer Beach, by Pankaj Bhargava

Honorable Mention Risso's Dolphin, Monterey Bay, by Douglas Croft

Honorable Mention Hearst Pier, by Marsha Kirschbaum

Honorable Mention Large Salp, Redondo Beach, by Merry Passage

Honorable Mention Dolphins, La Jolla, by Greg Volger

Our Mission
Protecting & Enhancing California's Coast

The Commission is committed to protecting and enhancing California’s coast and ocean for present and future generations. It does so through careful planning and regulation of environmentally-sustainable development, rigorous use of science, strong public participation, education, and effective intergovernmental coordination.

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Property Owners

Property owners can apply for a Coastal Development Permit to legally develop their property within the California Coastal Zone

Local Governments

Many local governments are empowered to issue Coastal Development Permits through Local Coastal Plans

Informed Citizens

Everyone can learn about our coast & how to protect it. Join a beach cleanup, get teacher resources & grants, help out & have fun

Local Government Workshop

The California Coastal Commission will be holding a joint workshop with the League of Cities and California State Association of Counties on Friday, July 12th with a focus on Short-Term Rentals and Sea Level Rise adaptation and planning. The workshop will be held during the Commission’s July hearing, which will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in San Luis Obispo (333 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA). The workshop will be streamed live through Cal-Span and an agenda of the workshop will be released later this month. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact Daniel Nathan, Statewide Planning Analyst, at: Daniel.Nathan@coastal.ca.gov

CCC Staff June 5, 2019

Download Notification of Intent to Award for RFQ 18-01

CCC Staff May 24, 2019

Rulemaking

for Minor Changes to Regulations

CCC Staff April 30, 2019

Hollister Ranch — Public Access Program

Proposed Settlement with Hollister Ranch Homeowners—public comment

CCC Staff March 20, 2019

Announcing the winners of the 2019 Coastal Art & Poetry Contest

Artwork: "The Colorful Sea Animals"
By: Callan Stephen Cheng
Grade 1, Cypress

CCC Staff March 12, 2019

Coastal Commission approves environmental justice policy

Check out our Press Release

Press Release March. 11, 2019

Hollister Ranch Access Program: Interagency Agreement Signed

CCC Staff March 6, 2019

The Coastal Commission’s Long Beach Office has moved!

New location: 301 E. Ocean Blvd, Suite 300, Long Beach, CA, 90802

Phone: (562) 590-5071, Fax: (562) 590-5084

You can also email Commission staff at: southcoast@coastal.ca.gov

CCC Staff February 27, 2019

2018 Year in Review

CCC Staff Jan. 31, 2019

Woolsey Fire Recovery Information

The December 2018 Woolsey Fire affected properties within the Coastal Zone in Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and the City of Malibu. The California Coastal Commission is working with each affected local government to coordinate recovery and rebuilding efforts. Each of these jurisdictions has a certified Local Coastal Program and will handle coastal development permits, emergency permits, and exemption determinations for post-fire recovery and rebuilding. Follow the above links to each jurisdiction’s website for additional recovery permitting information. The Coastal Commission retains records and plans for coastal development permits approved in the past. For information about past records or any questions, please contact the Commission’s South Central Coast District office.

CCC Staff December 20, 2018

Find YourCoast today with the Commission's free coastal access app!

The California Coastal Commission has just released the YourCoast App for iPhones, which offers a free guide to 1,563 coastal access points along California Coastline.

Check out our Press Release

Press Release December 14, 2018

Critical Coastal Infrastructure at Risk

The California Coastal Commission (CCC) is seeking input on local planning needs with regard to built community assets located along the coast that may be vulnerable to future sea level rise impacts. This survey will inform the CCC's efforts to provide adaptation policy guidance and other informational products. Email us at InfrastructureAdaptation@coastal.ca.gov for more information.

CCC Staff November 15, 2018

Shop for the Coast.

Support the Coastal Commission’s education programs when you purchase items from our Shop.

CCC Staff November 5, 2018

Martin’s Beach Survey: Share your story of your experiences or your family’s history of use at Martin’s Beach!

The Coastal Commission is still collecting information on the public’s historical use at Martin’s Beach, and our surveys can now be completed electronically. If you or your family have a history of use of Martin’s Beach, please take a moment to fill out the Commission’s Survey, which you can access here. You will need to download and fill out the survey. You can send in the survey, written statements of your story, and any photographs you have by email to MartinsBeachPRS@coastal.ca.gov or in writing to the address on the survey.

CCC Staff October 5, 2018

Press Release: Coastal Commission transfers 22 acres in Santa Monica Mountains near Backbone Trail entrance to public.

CCC Staff September 14, 2018

Press Release: Coastal Commission issues $1 million fine for Coastal Act violation, orders sea wall removed.

CCC Staff August 9, 2018

Draft Environmental Justice Policy Available for Public Comment

CCC Staff August 9, 2018

Highlights Grant Application is Now Closed

Local Coastal Program Grant Application is Now Closed

The fifth round of the California Coastal Commission’s Local Coastal Program Local Assistance Grant Program is now closed. A total of 7 applications were received, totaling $1,126,000 in funding requested for completing or updating Local Coastal Programs (LCPs) consistent with the California Coastal Act and with special emphasis on planning for strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change. A total of $750,000 is available and is scheduled to be awarded at the November or December hearing.

CCC Staff September 19, 2018

Court of Appeals Ensure Protection of Seals in San Diego

"This case shows the Coastal Commission made the the right decision to protect the seals and public safety at Children’s Pool. This agency will continue to safeguard our precious marine resources as we have for the last 40 years." - California Coastal Commission Chair Dayna Bochco

Court of Appeal June 8, 2018

Highlights New Tribal Consultation Policy

Interested in Learning about the Commission’s New Tribal Consultation Policy?

CCC Staff April 17, 2018

Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park - YourCoast

California Coastal Trail

Find inspiration in the stories that shaped the iconic California Coastal Trail.

California Coastal Access Guide

The fully revised 7^th Edition has information on more than 1,150 public access areas.

Whale Tail^® License Plate

Help protect & restore the priceless resources of California's coast & ocean

Beach Wheelchair

Access the coast with ease in a free beach wheelchair, available throughout California

Check the Coast

Donate to the Protect Our Coast & Oceans Fund on your California Tax Form

John "Jack" Ainsworth, 58, came to the Coastal Commission from the private sector in 1989 as a Coastal Program Analyst. Over the past 27 years, he has shouldered a variety of responsibilities including overseeing the South Central and South Coast (LA County) district offices and as the agency's Senior Deputy Director beginning in May 2015. He was appointed Acting Executive Director in March 2016. Ainsworth has a BA in Environmental Studies & Geography and an MSc in Geography from the University of California, Riverside.

Our Mission Protecting & Enhancing California's Coast

California Governor

Gavin Newsom

Commissioners

& Alternates

Executive Director

John Ainsworth

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The Commission meets publicly to administer The Coastal Act

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