The area is named after the Cotoni tribe, the original inhabitants of this coastal region.
The property was protected through a massive land acquisition process finalized in 2020 after years of conservation advocacy.
The limestone arches visible along the shore were formed by millennia of wave erosion against the uplifted Santa Cruz Mudstone.
The coastal terrace contains fossilized remains from the Pliocene epoch, including ancient marine mammals.
The cliffs serve as critical nesting grounds for various seabirds, requiring seasonal closures of certain beach sections to protect nesting sites.
Cotoni-Coast Dairies State Beaches consists of 5,800 acres of rugged coastline and agricultural land protected by the Bureau of Land Management and State Parks. The site features the Coastal Trail, which provides access to six distinct beach coves separated by dramatic limestone cliffs. The landscape is characterized by coastal scrub, grasslands, and expansive ocean vistas overlooking the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In 2024, the property transitioned to a state park model to enhance public access and conservation. The coastline serves as a habitat for threatened species, including the California red-legged frog and the western snowy plover. Visitors use the site primarily for hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography along the bluffs. Access to the shoreline is steep and requires traversing coastal ravines. This area was formerly part of a historic dairy operation, which influenced its name and topography.
The edge of the bluffs overlooking the tide pools and sea arches at low tide.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes as trails are uneven, steep, and often slippery.
Bring binoculars for birding and whale watching, as the high bluffs offer excellent vantage points.
Check local signage for nesting season restrictions, as some beach access points are prohibited during specific months.
Attempting to climb down the cliffs at non-designated access points due to high risk of falling and unstable terrain.
Some beach access paths are seasonally closed to protect nesting western snowy plovers.
Stay on marked trails to protect sensitive bluff-top vegetation and prevent erosion; pack out all trash.
