The dream of a trail along the entire length of the California coastline has been around for a long time. The need for more access to this beautiful shoreline is apparent. Just as the Sierra Nevada beckoned to those who love and use the mountains to create the Pacific Crest Trail, the thin band of land and sea at the Pacific shore, loved by many for its bountiful but fragile natural treasures and spectacular scenery, beckons those who love it to create the California Coastal Trail.

Creating any trail can be a daunting task, but the Coastal Trail poses its own particular set of difficulties. It is confined to a narrow corridor of land, the topography is difficult in places and natural features such as rivers block the path. Even more difficult are the issues of private ownership, conflicting governmental jurisdictions, and the many zoning laws involved. In order to complete the trail, everyone from homeowners to state and federal agencies must be dealt with. Fortunately, we have a strong foundation from which to begin. We are further encouraged because in this year, 2002, a final push to plan and complete the Coastal Trail has begun as the California Coastal Trail Project.

Legal Authorizations

We already have a legislative mandate for the Coastal Trail. In 1972 the Coastal Initiative was passed. This led to the enactments of the Coastal Act of 1976. These laws created both the California Coastal Commission and the State Coastal Conservancy. In 1979 the Coastal Public Access Program was legislated, calling for "a trail route linking state parks, federal recreation areas, and other areas of .... significance located in coastal areas." One of the priorities of both the Commission and Conservancy has been to ensure public access to the shoreline.

Feasibility

The second part of our foundation is the fact that the public already owns about half of the coastline. Also, the public owns the tidelands to the mean high tide line. Some parts of the trail could conceivably traverse tideland whereas other trails exist on federal, state and local lands and would become part of the coastal trail system. They are as varied as the multi-use trail through the city of Monterey to the 50-mile King Range/Sinkyone backpacking trail.

Public Demand

The third part of the foundation is that the public will increase demand for the use of the coast. Polls have shown that Californians strongly agree that protection of the natural environment is important regarding outdoor recreation.

Comprehensive Plan

With such a strong foundation, the question is, "Why isn't the trail in place?"   Of course, it is a huge task, given the length of the coast and the multitude of interests involved.  However, the answer is that there is no comprehensive plan, and in spite of legislative and public calls for the trail, funding has not been provided for planning or implementation.  There is hope however.  ACR20 and SB908, both passed in 2001 by the State Legislature, call first for resolve towards finishing the Coastal Trail, and second, provide a mandate for preparation of a map of the trail and an estimate of the costs of its completion: The Coastal Trail Project.