The Central Coast offers outstanding rest-day opportunities. Here, Bill Vecchiarelli paddles out near the Ventura Pier.

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The Central Coast offers outstanding rest-day opportunities. Here, Bill Vecchiarelli paddles out near the Ventura Pier.

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Ken Klis on Edgeucation, Bishop Peak summit.<br>
photo Tom Slater<br>
slatervision.com

Young Elephant Seal.<br>
Photo by Blitzo.

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4.4 from 18 votes

Matthew Fienup

Jan 29, 2009

“The Central Coast offers outstanding rest-day opportunities. Here, Bill Vecchiarelli paddles out near the Ventura Pier.”

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Nearby Photos

Ken Klis on Edgeucation, Bishop Peak summit.<br>
photo Tom Slater<br>
slatervision.com

The Central Coast offers outstanding rest-day opportunities. Here, Bill Vecchiarelli paddles out near the Ventura Pier.

Young Elephant Seal.<br>
Photo by Blitzo.

You can't beat the winter sunsets, driving home from the crag on the Central Coast.

Of all of the Central Coast's amazing native animals, THIS ONE gets my vote as the single most unbelievable. I watched this particular fish "fly" for over 200 yards before crashing into a pier.

Photo: John Lindsay, Feb. 2019
<br>
West faces of Hollister, sadly, no access to this gem.

A Western Gull stands guard over a Central Coast crag.

California Central Coast.<br>
Photo by Blitzo.

Beautiful scenery just a mile east of Gilroy.

Emma Wood State Park. Just north of the Ventura rivemouth. The concrete blocks in the photo are the remains of a pair WWII era anti-sub gun placements.

California gulls-the State Bird of Utah.<br>
Photo by Blitzo.

Over-wintering Monarch butterfly, Central Coast of California. <br>
<br>
If you happen to be climbing on the Central Coast in December or January, be sure to stop by Ellwood Main, the seas-side bluffs near UC Santa Barbara. Ellwood is home to the largest wintering population of butterflies in the state of California (some years boasting more than 1 million of the beautiful creatures).

Tidal Pool-Central Coast.<br>
Photo by Blitzo.

Highlining Pinnacles National Park

Montana de Oro Beach, near Morro Bay.<br>
Photo by Blitzo.

California Central Coast.<br>
Photo by Blitzo.

Burned leaves from a coast live oak--photographed following a recent wildfire on the Central Coast.

Still feeling nostalgic--here's one more shot of the Kalorama Barranca, in Ventura. On this particular day, I watched Mark solo lap after lap in his Vans.

I think the sea lion, the starfish and the butterfly pictures are great---except that you won't encounter many of them while climbing. For most of the Central Coast, these constitute the wildlife that you will most likely interact with. (No, not trying to be gratuituous; these pics were all taken during climbing outings...)

Starfish.<br>
Photo by Blitzo.

Pt Mugu NAS from Mugu Peak. Mugu marks the southern boarder of the Central Coast climbing areas.

The city of Ventura was once home to several nice glue-up areas, under various bridges and in different flood control culverts. Alas, ever-increasing liability concerns on the part of the county have led to all but one of the sites being dismantled. Only this one site remains...and now time and the elements are dismantling it.

A little cliff along the beautiful highway 152. The other side has some of the bigger spires. Some call this Lover's Leap and is directly across from Henry Coe State Park.

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