Gaviota State Beach
Map SatelliteA transect of plant communities from the ocean over the ridge of the Santa Ynez Mountains and partway down the interior slopes is the prime feature of this area. The Gaviota watergap (Pass) is included in the area.
Much of the area is chaparral, with such typical species as chamise, Adenostoma fasciculatum, Ceanothus spp., Rhus spp., and mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus betuloides. Second in extent, and occurring primarily on the seaward slopes and bluffs, is the coastal sage scrub, with California sagebrush, Artemisia california, the dominant.
Along the various intermittent streams and creeks is a riparian woodland, with sycamore, Platanus racemosa, white alder, Alnus rhombifolia, and various willows, Salix spp., the main elements.
Along the coastal bluffs, to the west of the railroad, are relict Nassella pulchra stands, which here form a mosaic with the coastal sage scrub. The grassland and scrub on the bluffs end abruptly where the marine terrace sediments contact the older sandstone formations. In the hills there is some grassland, with Stipa lepida (=Nassella sp.) mixed with other annual grasses.
Animals are relatively abundant in the nonrecreational areas.
Geologically, there is a fine cross section, with some good exposures, of many of the elements of the Santa Ynez Range which here includes varicolored sandstones, shales and other sedimentaries of Eocene, Oligocene and mid-Miocene marine origin as well as some Pleistocene marine terrace deposits. The Santa Ynez fault zone passes through the area.
Hot springs occur here.
Integrity: The beach is heavily used and there are some campsites. The highway cuts through the pass here, and there also are various buildings. With the exception of some grazing in the upland portions, they are virtually undisturbed; the bluffs have not been grazed.
Use: Research, educational, observational, present. Some private holdings in the area.
January 1977
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman