Northern San Luis Obispo County Coastal Trail Master Plan
Northern San Luis Obispo County Coastal Trail Master Plan
Northern San Luis Obispo County Coastal Trail Master Plan
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<strong>Northern</strong> <strong>San</strong> <strong>Luis</strong> <strong>Obispo</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Coastal</strong> <strong>Trail</strong> <strong>Master</strong> <strong>Plan</strong><br />
Segment 2-4: Piedras Blancas Peninsula to South Elephant Seal Boardwalk (1.9<br />
miles)<br />
Photos<br />
A combination of boardwalk and unpaved path at the<br />
Elephant Seal viewing area could accommodate CCT<br />
pedestrian use<br />
Description<br />
Ownership: DPR, Caltrans, BLM<br />
Figure 4-29 illustrates the recommendations for the northern portion of Segment 2-4.<br />
The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse is designated as an Outstanding Natural Area and is the subject of ongoing<br />
efforts to restore native coastal plant habitat. A system of trails exists, with lighthouse access limited to<br />
docent-led hikes. A well-used network of volunteer trails exists along the bluff tops on DPR lands north and<br />
south of the lighthouse.<br />
Future plans for the Lighthouse area may eliminate the need for tour groups to meet at the motel. The BLM is<br />
developing an access plan for the Lighthouse that includes a small parking area off the main access road, as<br />
well as new or realigned trails. The recommended alignment follows an unpaved path through the Natural<br />
Area until joining the highway at approximately MP 63.2.<br />
The CCT is proposed to extend away from the highway through the center of the peninsula, in the form of an<br />
unpaved trail routed away from sensitive resource areas.<br />
Figure 4-30 illustrates the recommendations for the southern/eastern portion of Segment 2-4. At a cove at<br />
near MP 63.2 coastal bluff retreat has left less than 20 feet of available land between the edge of the highway<br />
pavement and the edge of the bluff. This is within an area that is designated for future highway realignment,<br />
but there is no specific timeline for the realignment. Assuming there is sufficient space to create a highway<br />
sidepath for the trail (probably Type D) that meets Caltrans standards for setback and/or barrier, this section<br />
of trail would have a short life span without associated shoreline protection efforts. However, shoreline<br />
4-46<br />
A short connector will be required to provide access<br />
between the end of the Elephant Seal Viewing Area<br />
and the proposed sidepath
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