California Coastal National Monument

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 Your Coastal Riches

Waves explode onto offshore rocks, spraying whitewater into the air. Sea lions bark as they “haul out” of the surf onto the rocks, and a whirlwind of birds fly above. These amazing rocks and small islands are part of the California Coastal National Monument, a spectacular interplay of land and sea. The monument consists of a network of more than 20,000 small islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles that provide a haven for animals and plants along the 1,100 miles of the California coast. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) works with a wide variety of partners to protect this unique part of the public lands and the fragile ecosystems of this coastal treasure.

Partners For Protection

As California’s population grows and more people live and recreate along the coast, the potential for impacting these fragile ecosystems is greater than ever. The BLM is teaming up with coastal communities, the California Department of Fish and Game, California State Parks, and many others to protect and study the rock and island ecosystems.

There are a number of ways you can help protect the monument as well:

•    Remember that the rocks provide a refuge for wildlife that are sensitive to human use.

•    Help marine wildlife keep a clean house by packing out what you bring to the beach.

•    Bring binoculars to get great views of animals while not disturbing them.

•    Work as a volunteer for BLM or one of the many organizations and agencies partnering with BLM to help protect unique California coastal resources.

Natural Wonders

The nutrient-rich waters surrounding the monument support a diverse array of habitats and organisms. Wave action and ocean currents have a strong influence on the distribution of these habitats and on biological diversity. The monument includes a significant amount of the rocky coast ecosystem and portions of the intertidal zone—the “border between the land and sea.” It is one of the harshest natural environments on Earth. It is here that the pounding of the surf and the changing of the tides create tide pools, which support creatures uniquely adapted for survival under such extreme conditions. 

Monument Facts:

•    More than 20,000 rocks!

•    About 1,000 acres (all above mean high tide)

•    Offshore of the 1,100-mile California coastline

A Bird Haven

Monument rocks are critical resting and breeding grounds for thousands of birds. Although the ocean is their primary habitat and food source, seabirds such as murres, guillemots, and puffins are dependent on the offshore rocks for nesting, where they are safe from terrestrial predators such as foxes and raccoons.

At times, vast flocks of murres, pelicans, cormorants, and gulls wheel about the rocks. Hundreds of the smaller seabirds, such as petrels and auklets, come and go under the protection of darkness, mostly unseen but still a vital part of the seabird colony. Shorebirds, such as the black oystercatcher, can be heard piping above the crashing waves along almost the entire length of the monument, and a variety of terrestrial bird species regularly visit. Peregrine falcons commonly hunt from the islands and even the bald eagle can occasionally be seen around the monument.

Marine Mammal Retreat

Several marine mammal species depend on the islands, rocks, reefs, and pinnacles of the monument, as well as the ocean around them, for forage and breeding grounds. Harbor seals, which are members of the earless pinniped family, and California seal lions, which are members of the eared pinniped family, are abundant and commonly haul out of the water onto the monument’s rocks. A few small colonies of Steller’s sea lions, a threatened species, can also be found within the monument. Elephant seals can be seen in specific locations along the coastline and in the waters around the monument. The northern fur seal, a member of the sea lion family, is sometimes found around some of the monument’s outermost rocks. The California sea otter, another threatened species, is commonly seen along the central coast, and on rare occasions, has been observed on coastal rocks.

Wildlife Commonly Seen Within or Near the Monument 

BIRDS

• Western gull

• Common murre

• Brown pelican

• Brandt’s cormorant

• Pelagic cormorant

• Pigeon guillemot

• Black oystercatcher

• Peregrine falcon

MAMMALS

• Harbor seal

• California sea lion

• Steller’s sea lion

• Elephant seal

• California sea otter