California Coastal Sage, Chaparral, and Oak Woodlands is an ecoregion occupying south central California and northwestern Baja California, with a Mediterranean climate, characterized mainly by chaparral and oak woodlands, and hosting diverse flora and fauna.
Zone
Coastal
Common Name
California Central Coast
CEC Level III Code
11.1.1
CEC Level II Code
11.1 Mediterranean California
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | California Central Coast, Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains, CA Central Coast, Big Sur, Central Coast, Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz�Monterey Coast, Santa Cruz–Monterey Coast, Central California Foothills & Coastal Mountains |
| Geographic Range | This ecoregion occupies south central California and northwestern Baja California, as well as the Channel Islands, Isla de Cedros and Isla Guadalupe. |
| Climate Snapshot | The ecoregion has a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot dry summers and mild winters, with mean annual temperatures ranging from approximately 14°C to 18°C and a mean annual precipitation of 548 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The terrain consists of coastal terraces, open low mountains or foothills, parallel ranges and valleys, and areas of irregular plains. |
| Vegetation Cover | The vegetation is mainly chaparral and oak woodlands, with grasslands at lower elevations and patches of pine at higher elevations, including coastal sage scrub in the south. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The ecoregion is home to species such as mule deer, gray fox, cougar, coyote, bobcat, various birds including the turkey vulture and brown pelican, and reptiles like the western species of rattlesnake and western fence lizard. |
Eco snapshot
The vegetation is mainly chaparral and oak woodlands, with grasslands at lower elevations and patches of pine at higher elevations, including coastal sage scrub in the south.
The ecoregion is home to species such as mule deer, gray fox, cougar, coyote, bobcat, various birds including the turkey vulture and brown pelican, and reptiles like the western species of rattlesnake and western fence lizard.
Seasonal timing
Yearly needs
What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.
| Season | What pollinators need most | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter / early spring | Early nectar and pollen; safe nesting sites | Prioritize early-blooming natives; leave some bare, well-drained soil; delay heavy cleanup so overwintering insects aren’t disturbed |
| Spring | Lots of blooms; water sources; nesting materials | Add a “spring peak” of flowers in clusters; provide a shallow water dish with stones; keep some stems/brush for habitat |
| Summer | Drought-season nectar; shade/shelter; pesticide-free spaces | Plant or maintain summer bloomers; water young plants deeply but less often; avoid all insecticides (especially systemics) |
| Late summer / fall | “Bridge” blooms before winter; seed/fruit resources; shelter | Add late-blooming natives; let some plants go to seed; leave leaf litter in corners for shelter |
| Winter (cool/wet season) | Overwintering shelter; minimal disturbance | Keep habitat “messy” in a few areas; avoid cutting everything back; plan next season’s bloom sequence |
Keystone plants
Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that build pollinator populations after winter.
Summer bridge: drought-tough plants that keep nectar/pollen available when many landscapes go dry.
Fall finisher: late bloomers that provide critical food before winter and help pollinators store energy.
What You Can Do
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Native plants
Asters are late-season wildflowers that bring a burst of daisy-like blooms when many gardens are winding down, making them a reliable choice for pollinator-friendly planting.
Baccharis is a genus of tough, wildlife-friendly shrubs often used to add structure and long-season nectar to gardens and restoration plantings. If you have a sunny spot and want a low-fuss shrub that can support pollinators, Baccharis is worth a look.
California lilac (Ceanothus) is a flowering shrub known for clouds of blue blooms that can be a big draw for pollinators when it’s planted in the right spot.
Clarkias are cheerful, easy-to-grow wildflowers in the genus Clarkia, known for silky, colorful blooms that can brighten beds, borders, and containers while offering nectar and pollen for visiting insects.
Goldenrods are tough, sunny wildflowers in the genus Solidago that light up late-season gardens with golden blooms and provide reliable nectar and pollen when many other flowers are fading.
Manzanitas are tough, beautiful western shrubs with urn-shaped flowers that can feed early-season pollinators and evergreen leaves that keep gardens looking good year-round.
Phacelias are easygoing wildflowers in the genus Phacelia, known for their nectar-rich blooms that can bring lots of pollinator activity to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
Bright, cup-shaped poppy flowers from the genus Eschscholzia that thrive in sunny spots and can add easy, pollinator-friendly color to gardens, pots, and schoolyards.
Sages (genus Salvia) are aromatic, nectar-rich plants that can add long-lasting color and steady pollinator activity to gardens, balconies, and schoolyards.
Wild bergamot and other bee balms (the genus Monarda) are easygoing native wildflowers known for their shaggy, pom‑pom blooms that draw in lots of pollinators. They’re a great choice when you want long-lasting summer color and a plant that feels lively with buzzing visitors.
Wild buckwheats (genus Eriogonum) are tough, long-blooming western native wildflowers that can turn dry, sunny spots into reliable pollinator stops.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
Many adults visit flowers and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
