South Cape Mendocino State Marine Reserve, Sugarloaf Island Special Closure, and Steamboat Rock Special Closure

Cape Mendocino, just to the north, is the westernmost point on the California coast. This region is one of the most seismically active in the contiguous United States. Just offshore, three tectonic plates meet in what is know as a geologic triple junction. The black sand beaches prevalent along this stretch of coast are derived from greywacke, a type of dark sandstone. There are prominent rock outcroppings along the north and south ends of the SMR, including two sea stacks protected by special closures: Sugarloaf Island and Steamboat Rock.

Beneath the surface, sandy and rocky seafloor habitats extend from the shoreline to deeper offshore waters. These support many species including bull kelp, red abalone, rockfish, and lingcod. This SMR is especially important as a rookery for sea lions and seabirds. Many different species of birds including Brandt’s cormorants, tufted puffins, common murres, western gulls, and black oystercatchers can be found here. Depending on the season, you may see gray, blue, and humpback whales pass along this stretch of isolated northern California coast during their long migrations.

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 road that runs along the SMR was named after the Mattole Tribe, the indigenous people of this area. The Mattole people harvested food from the sea, including salmon and mollusks. Many Native Americans were displaced when European settlers arrived, but the deep cultural roots of the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria remain in this region near Cape Mendocino.

In 1867, a ship ran aground along this unforgiving stretch of coast while attempting to deliver building materials to build a lighthouse. Despite setbacks, the lighthouse was completed in 1868. The 43-foot tower was one of the tallest lighthouses in the U.S. at the time, extending 422 feet above sea level. However, in the 1960s the lighthouse was abandoned, and began deteriorating and slipping down the hillside. Later, the lighthouse was moved thirty miles south to Shelter Cove, where it was opened in 2001 and remains an often-visited historical landmark today.

The MPA coastline remains a relatively isolated region that receives little foot traffic, and as such can be appreciated as a preserved example of northern California’s natural beauty.

The coast around Cape Mendocino is a great place to visit for those willing to make the journey. The SMR and adjacent Black Sands Beach can be accessed from Mattole Road, one of the few roads on the entire Lost Coast and the only road that winds along the coastline here. Steamboat Rock is directly offshore from Black Sands Beach, which is typically devoid of people and dotted with driftwood and small rocks.

The road yields stunning views of this desolate coastline, including cattle and horses grazing on the coastal grasses, waves slapping the black sand beaches, and birds flocking to rocky outcroppings like Sugarloaf Island. Though the take of any marine resources is prohibited within the SMR, visitors can still enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and witness large populations of sea lions basking on the shore.

South Cape Mendocino SMR

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

40° 26.100′ N. lat. 124° 24.340′ W. long.;
40° 26.100′ N. lat. 124° 31.958′ W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
40° 24.900′ N. lat. 124° 31.084′ W. long.; and
40° 24.900′ N. lat. 124° 23.800′ W. long.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(11)(opens in new tab)

Sugarloaf Island Special Closure

A special closure is designated from the mean high tide line to a distance of 300 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline of Sugarloaf Island, located in the vicinity of 40° 26.326′ N. lat. 124° 24.827′ W. long.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(10)(opens in new tab)

Steamboat Rock Special Closure

A special closure is designated from the mean high tide line to a distance of 300 feet seaward of the mean lower low tide line of any shoreline of Steamboat Rock, located in the vicinity of 40° 24.919′ N. lat. 124° 24.241′ W. long. during the period of March 1 to August 31.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(12)

Downloads for South Cape Mendocino State Marine Reserve

Map

Facts, Map & Regulations

Downloads for Sugarloaf Island Special Closure

Map

Facts, Map & Regulations

Downloads for Steamboat Rock Special Closure

Map

Facts, Map & Regulations