Community Association of Big Sur, Inc.

CABS goal is the ensure the viability of Big Sur's fragile coastal community for the benefit of visitors and residents for generations to come. We are addressing this through advocacy, collaborative problem-solving, and disaster recovery services.
Our initiatives provide tangible actions and outcomes to address the well being of our visitors, our coastal natural resources and our community:
-The Big Sur Destination Stewardship Project
-The Big Sur Pledge
-The Alignment of the Big Sur portion of the California Coastal Trail
-Disaster Recovery Services
-Community Housing and Visitor-Serving Infrastructure
-Visitor Use Management Process
-Visitor and Traffic Data Collection

The California Coastal Act and our own Big Sur Land Use Plan espouse the ethos of balance, but neither of those foundational documents provide guidance on how to achieve that goal. A Big Sur Destination Stewardship Plan could be the tool that builds a future reflective of our shared vision of economic prosperity, environmental health, enhanced visitor experience and the well-being of the residents who inhabit Big Sur.

This planning process aims to bring together county, state and federal jurisdictional stakeholders, as well as representatives from the local business community, emergency first responders, outdoor enthusiasts, environmental nonprofits and the resident community. The effort to address this growing imbalance in our community will require curiosity, reliable data, a collaborative spirit and a willingness to innovate.

Our Board Members live and work along the Big Sur Coast. Board members are property and business owners, employees of local businesses, renters, parents of children in the school district, and caretakers. Our board members live in north, central and south Big Sur. They are engaged both in their local neighborhoods as well as participating on boards and in leadership roles both in Big Sur and in the County of Monterey. Some of the boards and initiatives that our board members are engaged in include the following:
Big Sur Cellular Taskforce
Big Sur Community Emergency Response Team
Big Sur Fire
Big Sur Land Use Advisory Committee
Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Council
Big Sur Pledge
California Coastal Trail Planning
Fire Safe Council
Fuel Mitigation Taskforce
Water & Road Boards

Accomplished since 2008:
Protecting and defending Big Sur’s community and environment since 1962
Over $4.0 million in donor dollars distributed to over 2,000 Big Sur residents, employees, businesses, community water and road companies, and nonprofits since 2008
Disaster recovery services provided in the aftermath of 3 wildfires, 1 atmospheric river event, and 1 major road closure in the past 11 years
Over 4,000 hours dedicated annually to leadership and community representation by the CABS board and executive director
Active participation in and partnership with over 200 Local, County, State and Federal entities and/or individuals in initiatives that impact Big Sur
Whatʻs Next:
A Big Sur Destination Stewardship Project
Global awareness of natural and community resource protection through the Big Sur Pledge Campaign
Solution Proto-typing e.g. the Sycamore Canyon Shuttle, Big Sur Community Engagement in the Coastal Trail Alignment
Disaster Recovery Services as needed: financial and rebuilding help post-fire, flood and road closure since 2008, most recent 2020 and 2021 events include the Dolan Fire, a Highway 1 road closure due to road failure, and financial impacts from COVID
Engagement with the community and diverse stakeholders through the Big Sur Destination Project to address Community Housing and Visitor-Serving Infrastructure