Kashtayit State Marine Conservation Area

Looking landward from the shore of Kashtayit SMCA, the peaks of the Santa Ynez mountains dominate the view. This mountain range is made of sandstone and schist, which have been uplifted over the last five million years by the Santa Ynez Fault and carved by water erosion into the canyons and bluffs present today.

The shoreline and underwater topography of Kashtayit SMCA reflect this inland geology. After millions of years of sandstone and shale erosion, the geology of the Southern California Bight(opens in new tab) is a complex mix of islands, banks, ridges, basins, troughs, and submarine canyons.

The nearshore rocky reefs and tidal areas of Kashtayit SMCA teem with rockfish, lingcod, and invertebrates such as California spiny lobsters and the critically endangered black abalone. White seabass, California halibut, cabezon and thresher sharks can be found in the MPA's sandy seafloor and surfgrass habitats. Southern sea otters occasionally pass through the area, though the absence of large kelp beds means that few spend long periods of time here.

For centuries, Native American Tribes in California have relied on marine and coastal resources. Many Native American Tribes in California continue to regularly harvest marine resources within their ancestral territories and maintain relationships with the coast for ongoing customary uses.

Kashtayit SMCA neighbors Gaviota State Park and a traditional Chumash village site. Kashtayit, or “place of the willow”, was the name of the small Chumash settlement located at the mouth of Gaviota Creek where an ancient grove of willow trees still flourishes. Archeological records of Chumash inhabitants reveal evidence of a complex society spanning the coastline from Malibu in the south to Morro Bay in the north, including the Channel Islands.

Chumash ancestors fostered societies of great complexity and adaptability, and established important trade routes. The tomol, the traditional Chumash redwood plank canoe, was an essential form of transportation, especially for trade and fishing. Today, contemporary Chumash peoples continue to nurture and revitalize the lifeways of those ancestors. Through a factual record of historical take within the Kashtayit SMCA, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is exempt from MPA regulations.

A Spanish Crown fleet led by Juan Cabrillo journeyed through Santa Barbara Channel in 1542 and probably stopped at what is now Gaviota Beach. European settlement under the Spanish Crown did not begin here until 1786 when Mission Santa Barbara was built. Cattle ranching in the Gaviota/Hollister Ranch area inland from Kashtayit SMCA started in 1790. The land was ranched through the time of Mexican independence (1821) and the Mexican-American War (1848), when the United States gained control over California.

Today, ranching has mostly ceased and the area between Gaviota and Point Conception remains largely undeveloped. A small pier built at Gaviota in 1875 was used to ship timber and other goods. In 1901, the Coast Route of the Southern Pacific Railroad was finished, linking San Francisco to the south coast for the first time. The large trestle railroad bridge at Gaviota is part of that railway and is still in use today.

More often than not, the beach that directly borders Kashtayit SMCA is a sunny, warm, and inviting spot for swimming, picnicking, and surf fishing. Parking, restrooms, a visitor center, and camping can all be found at Gaviota State Park, the main access point to Kashtayit SMCA, located right next to the MPA.

The public pier on the west end of the beach at Gaviota, which has a boat hoist, sometimes closes periodically due to storm damage. For those looking to enjoy the MPA from the water, inflatable boats and other very small craft may be launched from the beach adjacent to the Gaviota Pier. Kayaking conditions are often excellent, although kayakers should be aware of the strong “sundowner” winds that come through Gaviota Canyon in the evening, blowing offshore and sometimes making it difficult to return to the beach.

Recreational fishing for finfish is permitted within the MPA and the shallow, clear water makes for great conditions to go spearfishing for the California halibut that hide in the extensive surfgrass beds and sandy seafloor areas. The clear water is also great for snorkelers looking to explore life beneath the surface. Divers are welcome to harvest many of the invertebrates they find here, like California spiny lobster; however, rock scallops and mussels may not be harvested from Kashtayit SMCA.

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

34° 28.130' N. lat. 120° 14.460' W. long.
34° 27.300' N. lat. 120° 14.460' W. long.;
34° 27.300' N. lat. 120° 12.470' W. long.; and
34° 28.230' N. lat. 120° 12.470' W. long.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(97)(opens in new tab)