Vandenberg State Marine Reserve

Inside Vandenberg SMR there are coves, rocky reefs, undersea pinnacles, and sandy seafloor areas, fed by eroding coastal bluffs and two watersheds that drain into the SMR. Located just north of the convergence of the cold California Current and the relatively warmer waters of Southern California, Vandenberg SMR is home to a variety of fishes, invertebrates, seabirds, and marine mammals typical of northern and central California. Occasionally these waters are visited by more southerly species like kelp bass and California sheephead. This is especially true during warm water events such as El Niño.

Vandenberg Space Force Base (previously Vandenberg Air Force Base) has achieved numerous restoration projects focused on increasing or improving habitat for the 18 endangered or threatened species of plants and animals found on the base. Marine species of special interest include black abalone, marbled murrelets, and southern sea otters that use the area around Vandenberg Space Force Base. The SMR also provides protection for one of the largest breeding sites in California for endangered western snowy plovers. The location, diversity of ecosystems, and limited access of Vandenberg SMR make it a unique addition to California’s MPA Network.

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 areas surrounding Vandenberg SMR and much of the Central Coast were home to the Chumash. Archeological records of Chumash inhabitants reveal evidence of a complex society spanning from Malibu in the south to Morro Bay in the north, as well as the Channel Islands. The incredibly productive marine ecosystems of the central and southern California coastline were vital to the Chumash people, who used large ocean-going canoes, or tomols, to hunt for larger ocean fish and marine mammals, and for trade amongst the widespread villages.

When Europeans began to settle on the Santa Barbara County coast in the late 18th century, much of the surrounding land was converted to cattle ranching and farmland. In 1837, a 42,000-acre Mexican land grant, known as Rancho Jesus Maria, was granted by Governor Juan B. Alvarado. Following the cession of California to the United States in 1848, Rancho Jesus Maria was filed with the Public Lands Commission in 1852 and granted to Lewis T. Burton and José Carrillo in 1871. The land was later sold to the United States government in 1941 to use as a military facility, Vandenberg Air Force Base (now known as Vandenberg Space Force Base). While closed to the public, members of the base and their guests are allowed access to the protected shorelines of the SMR.

Since a majority of the SMR is adjacent to Vandenberg Space Force Base, public access points are exclusive to Ocean Beach Park, Surf Beach, and Jalama Beach County Park. Only Vandenberg pass holders and their guests have access to Minuteman Beach and Wall Beach.

Public entry into Vandenberg SMR is restricted at the discretion of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect wildlife or habitat, or by the Commander of Vandenberg Air Force Base (now known as Vandenberg Space Force Base) to protect and provide safety for base operation.

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

34° 44.650' N. lat. 120° 37.750' W. long.;
34° 44.650' N. lat. 120° 40.000' W. long.;
34° 33.250' N. lat. 120° 40.000' W. long.; and
34° 33.250' N. lat. 120° 37.407' W. long.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(95)