"Point Arena-Stornetta unit of the California Coastal National Monument" by Bureau of Land Management California , public domain
California CoastalPoint Arena-Stornetta Unit (mobile) |
Brochure of Point Arena-Stornetta Unit at California Coastal National Monument (NM) in California. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
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Point ArenaStornetta Unit
California Coastal
National Monument
Map & Guide
Situated along the rugged Mendocino
County coastline adjacent to the town
of Point Arena, is the 1,665-acre Point
Arena-Stornetta Unit of the California
shoreline unit of the Monument offers
spectacular views of coastal bluffs, sea
arches, the estuary of the Garcia River,
and sandy beaches and dunes with
eight miles of marked paths.
The Point Arena-Stornetta Unit (Unit) was included as
Monument by Presidential Proclamation on March
11, 2014. The Unit expands the Monument to include
coastal bluffs and shelves, tide pools, onshore dunes,
coastal prairies, riverbanks and the mouth and estuary
of the Garcia River. Purpose for the designation was for
the protection of important biological resources and
Cover photo and lighthouse photo by Bob Wick, BLM
habitats, cultural resources, geology and recreational
use and access.
The Unit is open for daytime activities including wildlife
photography, and public access to the Mendocino
Coast. The privately owned Point Arena Lighthouse can
be accessed via Lighthouse Road (county road), which
runs through the area at the north end.
The California Coastal National Monument was
established on January 11, 2000, and comprises more
than 20,000 rocks, reefs, and islands spread along
the 1,100 mile California coastline. These dramatic
features contribute to California’s awe-inspiring coastal
of seabirds and marine mammals. The Monument
protects feeding and nesting habitat for an estimated
breeding pinnipeds (seals and sea lions).
Packed with Human History
by the Bokeya or Central Pomo tribe. The ocean played
mammals, and seaweed were gathered from the ocean
and coast for food. From the land, vegetables, berries,
roots and greens were gathered and mammals and
birds hunted. The Bokeya traded items from the coast
for acorns, buckeye, and pine nuts found further inland.
During the late 1800s, the town of Flumeville or
Rollerville was located roughly at the intersection of
Lighthouse Rd. and Highway 1. This small settlement
helped move timber from the interior forests via the
chute to sailing ships at Point Arena Harbor.
Cattle troughs, a milk barn, and road system from the
early 1900s remain as evidence of dairy operations.
Joseph Sheppard established a Jersey dairy farm on
portions of this area in the late 1800s. Around 1924,
A.O. Stornetta purchased the ranch from the widow of
Joseph Sheppard. Stornetta was known for combining
local dairy operations.
Harvesting and threshing, Sheppard Ranch circa 1900
Photo courtesy of Held-Poage Research Library, No. L-02236
Point Arena Lighthouse Tower—1870
Pictured—The original
lighthouse tower in the
year it was opened.
Constructed of brick
and mortar in 1869, the
tower housed a First
Order Fresnel Lens. The
tower was 100 feet tall.
The great earthquake
Photo courtesy of Point Arena
Lighthouse
of 1906 damaged the
lighthouse beyond repair
and destroyed the lens.
It is speculated that the spiral staircase prevented the
tower from collapsing. The original staircase is still in
use today inside the second tower.
Photo courtesy of Point Arena Lighthouse
feet long and 55 feet at the beam. She was built in
the United Kingdom by the Blythswood Shipbuilding
Company and owned by the Norfolk and North
American Steamship Company and commanded by
Captain Cogle. Launched in 1927, the ship ran aground
in a heavy fog off Point Arena Lighthouse on September
9, 1949 carrying a cargo of wheat, lumber, canned
salmon and metals.
Leave No Trace
• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their
experience.
• Respect all wildlife, including marine life. If animals
notice your presence, you are too close.
• Please do not deface, carve, or write on trees or
rocks.
• Leave all natural and cultural resources in place,
including artifacts, vegetation, mushrooms, animals,
driftwood, or shells.
• Trash—Pack out everything you pack in. Including
food scraps and any small “micro-trash” such as
cigarette butts.
Safety/Caution
Whether hiking, wildlife viewing or driving, your safety
depends on your good judgment, adequate preparation,
and constant awareness. Your safety is your
responsibility.
Lighthouse Road is narrow with pedestrian and
cattle crossing—reduce your speed. Turning around
Weather
Weather on the North Coast can be changeable with
fog, wind, rain or sun. Dress in layers for your comfort
and changing conditions while visiting the area.
Water
Carry enough water per person for hiking. Water is
not available on site. Cooler coastal temperatures are
deceiving and you can still become dehydrated.
Coastal Cliffs
Cliffs/bluffs are unstable—do not climb. Be careful of
edges when using a camera, viewing wildlife, or just
walking. Due to wind, water, and wave action, the edges
may be undercut and not visible from the top of the
bluff. These conditions are ever-changing and may not
be marked.
Wildlife
The Unit is home to nine special status species,
insects. Commonly seen marine animals include harbor
whales.
Harbor seal by David Ledig, DOI
Grazing
Grazing reduces invasive bunch grasses which compete
with other native succulent plants that are critical to
many of the special status species.
Respect the Neighbors
There are private properties within and adjacent to the
Point Arena-Stornetta Unit that are closed to the public.
Respect private lands, signs and closures.
The City of Point Arena has provided public access on
the southern end of the Unit. Be respectful to the City
and community as there are community activities at
City Hall. Do not park adjacent to the building.
Conserving Our Lands
National Conservation Lands, including the California
Coastal National Monument, are part of an active,
vibrant landscape where people live, work, and play.
They offer exceptional opportunities for recreation,
research, and a wide range of traditional uses.
blm.gov/ca/ccnm
In an Emergency
• Call 9-1-1
• Mendocino County Sheriff (707) 964-6308
• Nearest hospital is 44 miles north on Hwy 1.
Mendocino Coast District Hospital, 700 River Drive,
Fort Bragg, CA (707) 961-1234
Contact Us
Bureau of Land Management
2550 North State Street, Suite 2
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 468-4000
blm.gov/ca/ukiah
California Coastal
National Monument
blm.gov/ca/ccnm
Subscribe to News.bytes,
our weekly e-newsletter
blm.gov/ca
BLM/CA/GI-2015/009+8300
10
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0
10
100
Point Arena
Lighthouse
Point ArenaStornetta Unit
100
Manchester
State Beach
Open to abalone
and line fishing
10
California Coastal
National Monument
0
0.33mi
0.25mi
Lighthouse
Entrance
NO FISHING
DANGER
Unstable
Cliff Edges
r
Ga
100
cia
v
Ri
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mil
3
3
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in 5 m i l
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do g 4
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M B
To ort
F
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1
Bend in the Road
Footpath Access
gh
th
o
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er
Enjoy Your Visit
Today & Tomorrow
H
d
oa
eR
ol
us
Photo by Jim Pickering, BLM
1.33mi
n
Mi
O
0.4mi
Li
C E A N
0.25mi
oa
d
The California Coastal National Monument is managed
to conserve and protect coastal resources. Visitor use
should be consistent with these objectives. Please
Sea Lion Rocks
Line fishing
is allowed.
practice Leave No Trace principles and the following
1.2mi
NO FISHING
for aquatic
invertebrates
(including abalone)
or aquatic plants.
For boundaries and
regulations go to:
www.dfg.ca.gov/MLPA
guidance:
• Stay on paths. Trails are under development and are
subject to change.
DANGER
Unstable
Cliff Edges
• Pack out your trash.
• Cliffs are unstable—do not climb.
• Dogs must be on leash. Clean up after your dog.
200
• This area has active livestock grazing. Make cows
aware of your presence by talking to them in a
calm voice. For your and your dog’s safety, do not
approach cattle.
100
P A C I F
I C
• Keep your distance from wildlife and do not feed
wildlife.
0.67mi
Mendocino
College
Field Station
• Day use only from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour
after sunset. No fires and no camping.
• No cutting or collecting firewood.
• No discharge or use of fireworks, firearms or other
weapons, including bows and arrows, pellet guns,
paintball guns.
1.33mi
• No motorized vehicles or hang gliding.
0.34mi
City Hall Footpath Access
0.83mi
0.32mi
• Please respect wildlife and operate drones
outside of the California Coastal National
Monument.
Limited to passenger vehicles only.
No RV parking. Follow signs to parking.
0.25mi
These lands were acquired by BLM and made possible
by the many generous grants and contributions
by agencies, non-government organizations and
0.67mi
DANGER
Unstable
Cliff Edges
individuals with the three phases of acquisition.
A special thanks to the community of Point Arena.
20
1
0
0.5mi
1mi
PAS Unit
CA State Parks
Private Property
Distance
Indicator
To Jenner
52 miles
Point Arena
2mi
Highway
Paved Road
Footpath
0.0mi
Fishing
Footpath
access
Grocery
store
Parking
Picnic
area
Unstable
cliffs
Wildlife
viewing
Food
service
Gas
station
Lodging
Pets on
leash
Restroom
Whale
viewing
No Drone
Zone
Lupine and wild iris by Jim Pickering, BLM