The Kenneth S. Norris Rancho Marino Reserve offers one of the most spectacular stretches of coastal habitats in central California. Its diverse habitats include extensive rocky shoreline (~3 kilometers), nearshore kelp forests, coastal grasslands (grazed and ungrazed), a mixed Monterey pine and coast live oak forest (91 hectares/225 acres), and coastal scrub (17.5 hectares/43 acres). Three registered Salinan archaeological sites on the reserve date back to 5,000 B.P. Flanking the reserve is a section of one of the largest kelp beds in California, a combination of giant kelp and bull kelp. Withering foot syndrome has killed most of the black abalone south of the reserve. The reserve’s southernmost healthy black abalone population is being monitored. Roughly one-quarter of the reserve harbors patches of coastal terrace prairie (among the most threatened and diverse plant communities in North America) with healthy populations of native grasses and flowers. Areas of thick Harding grass would be good sites for restoration studies. A small population of red-legged frogs are found in the reserve’s smaller stock pond. The larger pond (1.2 acre) has non-native fishes. Monterey pine forest runs along the site’s ridge top and slopes — the Cambria area is one of three places in the U.S. where remnant native stands can still be found. Coast live oaks are an abundant understory here. A current flora of terrestrial vascular plants lists approximately 90 species, with 60 percent (more than 50 species) native. The site is suitable for year-round use and well located within reasonable driving distance from several UC campuses: 2.5 hours from UCSB, 3 hours from UCSC, and 4.5 hours from UCLA or UCB.