The California Coastal Commission was created by the voters of California, who adopted an initiative measure in 1972 that formed the Commission and gave it broad powers to plan and protect the coast. Later, the California Coastal Act of 1976 established the Commission as a permanent state agency with a mission to protect, maintain, and enhance the quality of the coastal environment. One of the Commission's principal goals is to maximize public access and public recreational opportunities along the coast in a manner consistent with environmental preservation. The California Coastal Access Guide, which was created with the objectives in mind, will prove indispensable to anyone with a desire to explore the magnificent diversity of California's beaches.