As coastside population growth began displacing agriculture in the 1960s and 70s, an environmental movement inspired voters to pass a protection act in 1972 that resulted in the California Coastal Commission. With increased environmental awareness, communities recognized that shortages of fresh water, sewers and other necessities made the coastside unsuitable for large-scale development. The unspoiled beauty of the landscape from Pacifica to Half Moon Bay and beyond is due to years of efforts by public agencies and nonprofit organizations to protect open space through federal, state, and local regulations. Devil's Slide Trail is a section of the California Coastal Trail, which will extend 1,200 miles from Oregon to Mexico and connect travelers to California's varied and ever-changing landscapes, from remote, windswept beaches and historic lighthouses to bustling piers, ports, and urban waterfronts, while offering spectacular ocean views and memorable glimpses of wildlife.
