Gerstle Cove State Marine Reserve, and Salt Point State Marine Conservation Area

Tafoni, from the Italian word for "cavern", are small naturally-formed rock cavities. Tafoni can be seen in the sandstone that forms the rugged coastline here at Salt Point SMCA. The SMCA is also home to occasional sandy beaches within secluded pocket coves. The rocky intertidal zone is teeming with life such as sea stars, chitons, crabs, and aggregating anemones.

Beneath the surface, nearshore rocky reefs provide the perfect location for bull kelp to attach and grow towards the ocean surface. Forests of bull kelp provide habitat for many species including blue rockfish, perch, sculpin, and cabezon. At the outermost reef, the water depth increases to more than 200 feet and is interspersed by sandy and rocky seafloor. Rock walls rise up from the sandy seafloor, dotted with large anemones and encrusting sponges, while flatfish camouflage perfectly on the soft seafloor. Offshore, gray whales migrate seasonally on their journey to the Gulf of Cortez in Mexico, where they give birth in winter.

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. The Kashia Band of Pomo Indians occupied lands extending from the Gualala River to the Russian River. They sustained themselves by hunting and fishing for deer and salmon, and collected nuts, berries, greens and roots. The Pomo used abalone chisels to scrape salt off the rocks in this area, hence the name "Salt Point".

In Gerstle Cove, tanoak and hardwood logs and slabs of sandstone were loaded onto ships via cables anchored to nearshore rocks, and transported to San Francisco for building projects. During the mid-1800s, sandstone from Salt Point helped to build the streets and buildings of San Francisco. By 1889, only one lumber chute remained, and in 1917 the mill was completely abandoned after an economic decline, leaving the land for cattle ranching. At the entrance to Salt Point State Park, you can see one of the large, iron, folding stock anchors that were used to hold waiting vessels when the lumber mill was active. These days, this area is known for preservation of its marine and terrestrial resources.

Salt Point SMCA lies adjacent to Salt Point State Park and is popular among divers, hikers, and campers. Few sandy beaches exist, but the State Park has opportunities for hiking and observing wildlife from shore.

Many tidepools are accessible during low tide, offering glimpses of nudibranchs, sea stars, urchins, limpets, and crabs. While no take is allowed in Gerstle Cove SMR, Salt Point SMCA is a popular spot for surf fishing, with take of finfish allowed within the MPA.

Gerstle Cove SMR

This area lies within the Salt Point State Marine Conservation Area and is bounded by the mean high tide line and a straight line connecting the following points:

38^o 33.950 ′ N. lat. 123^o 19.920′ W. long.; and
38^o 33.950 ′ N. lat. 123^o 19.760′ W. long.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(36)

Salt Point SMCA

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

38^o 35.600 ′ N. lat. 123^o 20.800′ W. long.;
38^o 35.600 ′ N. lat. 123^o 21.000′ W. long.;
38^o 33.500 ′ N. lat. 123^o 21.000′ W. long.; and
38^o 33.500′ N. lat. 123^o 18.910′ W. long., except that Gerstle Cove as described in subsection 632(b)(36)(A) is excluded.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(35)

Downloads for Gerstle Cove State Marine Reserve

Map

Facts, Map & Regulations

Downloads for Salt Point State Marine Conservation Area

Map

Facts, Map & Regulations