Point Conception State Marine Reserve

a white and red lighthouse sits on a green patch of grass upon a layered rock cliffside, white seafoam splashes up the cliffside

Overview

Point Conception State Marine Reserve (SMR) is located where the coast of California changes dramatically. The majority of California’s coastline runs in a predominantly north-to-south direction for more than 500 miles, from the Oregon border to Santa Barbara County. Just past Vandenberg Space Force Base (previously Vandenberg Air Force Base), about 45 miles west of the city of Santa Barbara, the coastline takes an abrupt turn and runs east to west. Point Conception marks the beginning of the Southern California Bight, the curved coastline between the point and San Diego, and the area of the Pacific Ocean defined by that curve. This change at the Point Conception Lighthouse is accompanied by dramatic shifts in weather, currents, and ecosystems, which combine to make the marine communities here some of the most productive in the world.

Point Conception SMR encompasses more than 22 square miles of marine and coastal habitat. This marine protected area (MPA) contains kelp forests, surfgrass beds, and rocky reefs surrounded by sandy seafloor, and hosts diverse and abundant fish, invertebrates, birds, and marine mammals. The adjoining terrestrial area was operated for more than 100 years as a cattle ranch. The land and waters straddling Point Conception are a time capsule of oak woodlands, coastal prairies, and beaches whose breaks are revered by surfers.

Regulations

It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(96)(opens in new tab)

Quick Facts

MPA size: 22.52 square miles

Shoreline span: 3.7 miles

Depth range: 0 to 489 feet

Habitat composition*:

  • Rock: 1.70 square miles
  • Sand/mud: 20.85 square miles

*Habitat calculations are based on three-dimensional area and may exceed the total MPA area listed above.

About Point Conception State Marine Reserve

Photo Gallery

23 AUG
2022

Swell shark egg case at Point Conception SMR

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photo © M. Merrifield, CC BY-NC 2.0

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Regional Manager: Dr. Craig Shuman
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