Unanimous Coastal Commission decision
upholds prohibitions on San Carpoforo camping
SOLVANG, Calif.— Los Padres National Forest officials announced that overnight camping on San Carpoforo Beach will be prohibited following a unanimous decision from the California Coastal Commission during a hearing in Sacramento last week. The ruling was in response to a Consistency Determination submitted by Monterey District Ranger Fin Eifert that seeks to increase oversight on public use of the beach.
A Forest Order will be issued by mid-April to prohibit overnight camping, campfire use and dogs off leash on the beach. These steps are being taken to address the rise in public use that has led to trash, human waste and disturbance of Snowy Plover habitat. The public will continue to have access to San Carpoforo Beach but are reminded there are no restrooms or trash receptacles, and visitors are strongly encouraged to pack out any refuse and human waste.
The CCC’s unanimous decision came with specific conditions that the U.S. Forest Service must meet during the two-year duration of the Forest Order. These conditions require the USFS to provide baseline data and mapping on sensitive species and habitat types at San Carpoforo Beach; to implement measures to protect the Snowy Plover within its designated habitat; provide bi-annual reports on steps to minimize the loss of recreational camping opportunities; and to coordinate with interested tribal partners prior to implementing any long-term measures on the beach.
“We appreciate the Coastal Commission’s support and shared commitment to managing visitor access in a sustainable manner,” Eifert said. “We’ll continue to work in coordination with our partners to develop a comprehensive solution that provides the greatest good for the people in the long run.”
For more information on Los Padres National Forest, please visit our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf.
Date:Thursday, April 30, 2026District:05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa…
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I know I confuse easily....it is nothing new. But I have to wonder why the Coastal Commission, a state function, has any authority at all over a national forest. I thought, erroneously I can see now, that federal authority over federally owned lands would supersede what lower level governments might do. Do I have the "chain of command" wrong?
The Coastal Commission's authority to implement regulations and oversight on federal land within the coastal zone goes all the way back to the legendary and enduring California Coastal Commission v. Granite Rock Co. Supreme Court case from 1987, also on the Monterey District of the Los Padres National Forest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Coastal_Comm%27n_v._Granite_Rock_Co.
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/480/572/#:~:text=The%20court%20denied%20Granite%20Rock's,1872%20and%20Forest%20Service%20regulations.
However, given today’s USSC composition, any precendent decisions can no longer be seen as being solid.
Time for the Coastal Commission to cease to exist. They were created to service for 3 years and now they are still at it 40 years later. They have too much power. They have no respect for owners who own properties. Their way or the highway no matter what.
H. Blair
Since the HWY has been closed at Paul's slide. I live in Santa Cruz county. We have been glad to make the extra round trip for the peace and quiet! Going by San Carpaforo and seeing all of the cars and tents. Not surprised. It never used to be like that.
From a long time visitor, 45+ years. Surfing. My first Big Sur trip was in 1976. When
I got my drivers licence.
I have mixed feelings about the CCC on some of their decisions, but they look to the local county coastal plans for the guidance in their decision making. That is a good thing because many parts of the California Coast are different and should not have the same regulations. Big Sur (Monterey County) has one of the most restrictive coastal plans that has protected it so we all can enjoy it.
Although this is not in the Big Sur LUP boundary, San Carpóforo is a good example of a beautiful beach getting run down by overuse and no management. SLO County should consider adopting similar protections that are found the Big Sur Land Use Plan like the Critical Viewshed Policy. That beach is the very southern end of Big Sur and should be protected the same as the rest of Big Sur. Thank you to the CCC for making the right decision here. I hope the USFS makes the right decision in the future as well.
"visitors are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED ??? to pack out any refuse and human waste."
Not exactly how I would put it 😒
This is the first common sense decision the Coastal Commission has made in years. They used to be a respectful agency that focused on protecting the coast from overdevelopment. The new leadership change years ago made their top priority coastal access to every inch of coastline without any regard for the environment, public safety or private property. They overlook the part of the Coastal Act that has language to address these concerns.
Unrestricted free for all access without management or enforcement only degrades the coast they are trying to protect. I support access to public beaches but they can’t overlook the impacts on the highway here and because of its carrying capacity and parking limitations due to its rugged geography. Just drive this highway on a busy weekend and you will see how increased destination development causes traffic congestion, accidents, pedestrian safety issues and degradation of the “Critical Viewshed”. That is why the Land Use Plan primary goal is “Visual Access” so the highway remains accessible to all for scenic recreational driving, the primary activity for visitors and why Big Sur should remain a wild and natural coastline.
Protect Sur🐦please share more of your thoughts..I can tell you have a good view🎐
Coastal commission had one job.
Make sure the sea ranchaficatin of the coas5 never happened.
Instead,they let big sur become another sea ranch...
What a joke