The California coast, from the majestic redwoods and rocky shores in the north to the palm trees and wide, sandy beaches in the south, is an area of unsurpassed beauty and diversity. This revised and expanded sixth edition of the California Coastal Access Guide is an essential handbook for both new and seasoned visitors exploring California's majestic 1,100-mile shoreline. With up-to-date maps and information, it is a valuable guide for all beach goers - hikers, campers, swimmers, divers, wheelchair users, joggers, and boaters - detailing where to go, how to get there, and what facilities and environment to expect.The Guide contains: information on more than 890 public access coastal areas; clear descriptions of campgrounds, trails, recreation areas, transportation, and parking; addresses, phone numbers, websites, transit information, and hours of use; information on wheelchair-accessible facilities; easy-to-read charts listing facilities and topographical features; 125 updated maps providing directions and driving distances; 15 full-color county maps; and, more than 300 illustrations.Also contained in this handbook is extensive information on environmental issues, updated to account for changing ecological conditions and conservation strategies. Feature articles cover a broad range of topics, including natural history, marine and coastal wildlife, environmental issues, and sports and recreation. Over thirty years ago California voters approved an initiative that led to the creation of the California Coastal Commission.Later, the California Coastal Act of 1976 established the Commission as a permanent state agency with a mission to protect, maintain, and enhance the quality of the coastal environment. One of the Commission's principal goals is to maintain public access and public recreational opportunities along the coast in a way consistent with environmental preservation. The California Coastal Access Guide, which was created with these objectives in mind, will prove indispensable to anyone with a desire to explore the magnificent diversity of California's beaches.