Category Archives: California Coastal Notes of Interest

Long Beach’s floating Christmas trees-a 69-year tradition

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Christmas trees on Alamitos Bay

Tim Grobaty, Long Beach Post 11/22/2018

More than 60 of the 16-foot trees on 8-by-8-foot bases have sprouted up over the 69 years. Now you can spot them in the Colorado Lagoon, Heartwell, Scherer and El Dorado park lakes, Rainbow Lagoon and Harbor, and Spinnaker Bay, as well as in the initial spots of Alamitos Bay and Naples Canal—pretty much anywhere you’ll find water, you’ll find colorful trees growing in it when the Christmas season begins, which, in the case of the Trees on the Bay, is at dusk on Thanksgiving evening. The trees are lit every night through New Year’s Day.

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Wind Farm on the California Coast? update

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The first informational meeting took place in Morro Bay in 2015. After a pause caused by the U.S. Navy the initiative is inching forward. The timing is interesting considering PG&E has since announces the shutdown of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. While the potential output is likely not the same the wind farm can plug into the current power grid out of both Morro Bay and Diablo Canyon. It seems to have the capacity to power all households in San Luis Obispo County and then some. Also, new jobs may approximate jobs lost although it remains to be seen at what income level. Here is the local article from NBC affiliate KSBY kicking off the community feedback process.

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Desalination advances in California

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By Paul Rogers, [email protected], Bay Area News Group 1/30/2018 California water officials have approved $34.4 million in grants to eight desalination projects across the state, including one in Antioch, as part of an effort to boost the water supply in the wake of the state’s historic, five-year drought. The money comes from Proposition 1, a water bond passed by state voters in November 2014 during the depths of the drought, and it highlights a new trend in purifying salty water for human consumption: only one of the projects is dependent on the ocean. Instead, six of the winning proposals are for brackish desalination and one is for research at the University of Southern California. In brackish desalination, salty water from a river, bay or underground aquifer is filtered for drinking, rather than taking ocean water, which is often up to three times saltier and more expensive to purify. Complete article here  ...
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Wind Farm On California Coast?

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Apparently as controversial as oil drilling and nuclear power, a proposal to explore a  project to harvest plentiful ocean wind has been halted for now by the navy. Those of us who live, play, work and visit the coast also use electricity. The messaging by leadership and opposition is confusing. We use increasing amounts of electricity yet the opposition seems to argue against every project (oil, nuclear, wind) including solar in the desert. Does it simply come down to profiteers who will always advocate for the source of their revenue against environmentalist who are energy users but say no to everything? It will be fascinating to go out another generation (twenty years) to see which direction West Coasters decide on. Plenty of drama is in store with this story! Read the New Times article about this restriction here: A summary of the Trident Morro Bay project as presented by Trident is here. A fair amount written in recent media has...
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Desalination: Is the U S Navy a solution?

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By Dr. Stephen Schwalbe Faculty Member, Public Administration at American Public University Since 2000, California has suffered some of its worst droughts since state climate record keeping began in the late 1800s. The 2001-2002 rainy season in Southern California was the driest on record. The drought of 2011-2014 was the worst in state history. As of May 2015, the drought has worsened and continued.

Current Water Conservation Efforts Are Not Sufficient

California implemented numerous water conservation efforts to counteract the lack of fresh water. Eventually, those efforts will not be enough if the drought continues. So what is Plan B in case of emergencies? There are three general solutions to water shortages: water conservation, water transfer from places with abundant water and desalination. California has already put water conservation practices into effect statewide. As for transferring water, this measure is already in place from Northern to Southern California. Water is also transferred from the Colorado River to Southern California, where the Colorado River provides...
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Coastal access still an issue

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By Todd R. Hansen,  Daily Republic November 25, 2016 FAIRFIELD — Forty years after Californians demanded more access to the ocean, getting to the beaches is still a problem. “Despite the (California) Coastal Act’s guarantee of access for all Californians, the poll found significant barriers remain,” Jon Christensen, lead investigator for the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability study, said in a statement released with the latest Field Poll. Sixty-two percent of voters polled indicated access to the coast and beaches is a problem. More...
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The allure of California’s central coast

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By Lauren Williams, Staff Writer  Orange County Register November 27, 2016 Pristine coastal expanses and rolling hills characterize the Central Coast, and for me, this stretch of our state epitomizes everything that is wonderful about California living. Upon leaving Southern California, travelers pass through Ventura’s farmlands that butt up against the coast. In Santa Barbara, tall trees shade the 101. Should you continue on, the rolling hills of the Los Padres National Forest give way to more gentle slopes covered in vineyards. My blood pressure drops just thinking of these sights. On a recent weekend, in the dead of Southern California’s toasty Indian summer, my family woke early to make the six-hour journey to the Central Coast and Hearst Castle – dogs and all. We left while the sun was still low in the sky and decided to casually make our way to San Simeon, visiting favorite haunts and stopping for lunch along the way. More...
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Coastal Cruising In Southern California information round up

Posted on by in Beach and Ocean Recreation, Boating, California Coastal Cruising, California Coastal Notes of Interest, Catalina / Channel Islands, Coastal Dweller Reference, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Orange County, Recommended Sites, San Diego, Visitor Guide  |  Comments are closed
If you want to discover the pristine California that hardly anyone gets to see it should be done from the water looking back at the coast.  That is the view that original European explorers and native American Channel Island dwellers had.  Much of the coast and most of the Channel Islands remain unspoiled.  However, relatively few California visitors or residents venture out by boat whether power or sail, charter or private because of perceived or actual discomfort.  Such discomfort is minor compared to the experience of seeing large schools of dolphins playing, pelicans diving, whales breaching and seals sunning themselves on large buoys at harbor entrances greeting you with a yawn or a bark.   In sheltered coves of the Channel Islands some moorings and safe anchorages exist where, after arrival one can swim and snorkel an enjoy world class under water wild life with family and friends before preparing the evening meal.  Cruisers are...
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Meet the Artists for Catalina: The Wild Side Art Show

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Friday, October 17, 2014 CatalinaConservancy.org AVALON, CATALINA ISLAND - We introduced you last week to four of the plein air painters who will be featured at the Catalina Island Conservancy's Catalina: The Wild Side Art Show & Sale on Oct. 26. This week, we would like to you to meet four more artists. Each will be among the 10 plein air painters who have spent considerable time on Catalina capturing the Island’s conservation in their works. All are plein air artists, which is a French term that translates as “in the open air.” It means these artists paint nature while they are in nature. The Conservancy has been sponsoring the art show and sale since 2011, and proceeds from the sales of the artwork benefit the Conservancy, including establishing a permanent collection of plein air art that can be seen at the Nature Center in Avalon. Among the artists participating in Catalina: The Wild Side this year is Andy...
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Heaven built on sand, Life’s a beach in Southern California

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By Irene Seiberling, The Leader-Post October 17, 2014 A trip to Southern California wouldn't be complete without at least one glorious day spent exploring of the fabulous Orange County beaches, situated between Los Angeles and San Diego. Several beaches can be comfortably visited and appreciated in one day, such as Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. Each beach has a character of its own. appealing to both locals and international visitors alike. Pepe Avila, director of tourism development for the Anaheim Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau, offered these one word descriptions: Laguna Beach is "eclectic." Newport Beach is "sophisticated." Huntington Beach is "laid-back." Here's why each of these beaches is worth a visit: Laguna Beach Laguna Beach will particularly appeal to artists, with numerous art galleries and art events to discover and enjoy. Laguna's three summer outdoor art festivals feature over 500 artists and 300 art workshops. The seaside community's trendy shopping areas are sure to delight those looking for unique treasures or...
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