Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

NOAA has designated Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, the 17th national marine sanctuary, sixth off the U.S. West Coast, and one of the largest in the National Marine Sanctuary System.

Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary encompasses 4,543 square miles of coastal and ocean waters offshore central California stretching nearly 60 miles offshore and down to a maximum depth of 11,580 feet. The sanctuary protects and will collaboratively manage marine and maritime heritage resources along 116 miles of coastline from just south of Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County to Naples Reef on the Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County. Cities along this stretch of coastline include: Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Goleta, neighboring Santa Barbara, and further inland lies San Luis Obispo, Guadalupe, Santa Maria, and Lompoc.