The Pirate’s Cove parking lot has been a mess for years. Finally, a fix is coming

For years, partiers and vandals have left a trail of trash and graffiti at Cave Landing, the scenic overlook above Pirate’s Cove between Avila Beach and Shell Beach.

For just as long, people have complained about the condition of the rutted parking lot, which can be difficult to navigate in good weather, not to mention what happens when it rains.

But now, finally, the San Luis Obispo County Parks Department is set to resume and complete construction on long-awaited improvements to Cave Landing.

The county will clean up the area, update the parking lot to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and install a new water drainage system, according to San Luis Obispo County Parks assistant director Shaun Cooper.

The county started construction in July, but paused the effort in August. Construction will resume this month and should be completed by the end of the year, Cooper said.

The county has not yet identified an exact start date for construction on the $510,000 project.

A $250,000 grant from the California Coastal Conservancy is funding part of the project, while $260,000 from Park Public Facilities Fees will cover the rest of the cost, Cooper said.

County to improve parking lot, add signage

The work will begin with the county adding a layer of new base rock to the parking lot — making it smoother, Cooper said.

“The community out there really wanted to keep it more natural and not have paved parking lots,” he said.

The county will also build three paved parking spots to make the area accessible to those with disabilities.

In addition, the county will add an entryway sign, trash and recycling cans, and perimeter boulders to mark the boundaries of the parking lot.

To improve drainage, the county will install bioswales, which are cobblestone creeks lined with vegetation that capture water running off the parking lot.

“The idea is that some of the contaminants from the parking lot will be captured in the plants and the cobbles before it drains out into the ocean, so it helps clean the water,” Cooper said.

During the winter, vehicles often get stuck in the mud at Cave Landing. Properly draining water from the area will prevent mud from accumulating in the road so its easier to drive there, he said.

Cave Landing includes a lookout point that faces Pirate’s Cove and connects with a trail to the clothing-optional beach below. Interpretative panels will be placed next to the lookout point to introduce visitors to local wildlife and explain the history of the land.

The area is a sacred site for the local Chumash people, Cooper said.

“(The Chumash) were heavily involved in the design of the interpretive panels,” Cooper said. “We wanted to make sure we were accurate with telling their story.”

A member of the Chumash Tribe and a cultural resources monitor from a consulting firm will oversee construction in case cultural objects are uncovered during the construction process.

»» What is that in SLO County?

Ever wonder what that construction is in your town? Or what happened to that cool project that was proposed? We’re finding out the answers as part of a new series. Send us your questions and tips by emailing reporter Kaytlyn Leslie at kleslie@thetribunenews.com.

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A long road to repairs

The Cave Landing cleanup effort has been in the works for more than a decade.

In 2013, the California Coastal Commission denied the county’s plans to pave the parking lot and add bathrooms to the area — halting the project.

In 2017, county officials discussed closing the area to vehicles at night to prevent vandalism and crime, an effort that was eventually abandoned.

And in October 2020, the Planning Department granted the county a minor use permit to fix up the area — but the cleanup effort has encountered numerous hiccups since, according to previous Tribune coverage.

Cave Landing will remain open to the public during most of the construction — with short, temporary closures for installing base rock in the parking lot, according to SLO County Parks director Tanya Richardson.