The California Coastal Trail Association (CCTA) is a growing alliance of Trail stakeholders – the public, local government, State agencies, NGOs, and businesses – working together to promote, support, manage and complete the California Coastal Trail. The CCTA is the only statewide organization that works to create a brand for the California Coastal Trail so that it becomes as well-known as other long distance trails like the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail.
In 2013, Coastwalk California, with help and funding from the State Coastal Conservancy, launched the California Coastal Trail Association (CCTA). Coastwalk also received technical assistance from the National Park Service for this project. The Association works to develop a collaborative network of cities, counties and other agencies that own or manage a strand of the California Coastal Trail. This network shares Trail information and resources, working together to ensure that the Trail has the wherewithal and plans needed to realize its completion. This step is absolutely necessary not only to manifest the vision of a continuous unbroken trail, but also to ensure the long term protection of California’s coastline.
The California Coastal Trail is an official Trail of the State of California that, when complete, will run the entire length of California’s coastline. It provides healthy recreation for people from every walk of life – a chance to get outside and revel in the beauty that is coastal California. It is tremendously popular with the public and is a huge economic asset, generating millions in tourism and from the outdoor recreation industry. The CCT provides free healthy recreation for everyone – old and young, from every community, income level and background.