Southern California/Northern Baja Coastis a region where winter rainfall decreases from west to east, summer rainfall decreases from east to west, and is dominated by Aridisols and Entisols with hyperthermic soil temperatures and extremely aridic soil moisture regimes.
Zone
Prairie
Common Name
California Southern Coast
CEC Level III Code
11.1.4
CEC Level II Code
11.1 Mediterranean California
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | California Southern Coast, Southern California/Northern Baja California Coast, Los Angeles Coast, Orange County Coast, San Diego Coast, SoCal Coast, Southern California Northern Baja California Coast, Southern CA Coast, SoCal coastal region |
| Geographic Range | This region is characterized by coastal plains, marine terraces, and low hills bordering the Pacific Ocean, encompassing major urban areas from Santa Barbara south to the Mexican border. |
| Climate Snapshot | The California Southern Coast region experiences a Mediterranean climate characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. |
| Terrain Profile | The Southern California region exhibits a vast elevation range from a minimum of -269 ft to a maximum of 13,868 ft, with coastal areas (South Coast) generally featuring a low average elevation around 43 ft. |
| Vegetation Cover | The vegetation of the California Southern Coast region 11.1.4 is characterized primarily by shrubland, chaparral, and coastal sage scrub. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The California Southern Coast (CEC Level III Region 11.1.4) presents harsh environments for plant growth due to extremely aridic soil moisture regimes, which influences the distribution and relative abundance of wildlife species in this coastal region. |
Eco snapshot
The vegetation of the California Southern Coast region 11.1.4 is characterized primarily by shrubland, chaparral, and coastal sage scrub.
The California Southern Coast (CEC Level III Region 11.1.4) presents harsh environments for plant growth due to extremely aridic soil moisture regimes, which influences the distribution and relative abundance of wildlife species in this coastal region.
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/pollen to start new bee generations | Plant early bloomers; let a few native plants flower before trimming back |
| Spring | Lots of blooms and safe nesting sites | Aim for “something blooming” every week; keep some bare soil and stems |
| Summer | Drought-resilient flowers and shallow water | Add summer-blooming natives; provide a small water dish with stones for landing |
| Late summer/fall | “Bridge” blooms when many landscapes go quiet | Plant late bloomers; avoid deadheading everything at once so some flowers go to seed |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter from weather and disturbance | Leave leaf litter in corners; keep stems/seedheads until the next growth cycle |
Keystone plants
Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that help pollinators ramp up after cooler months.
Summer bridge: drought-tolerant flowers that keep food available through dry stretches.
Fall finisher: late-season bloomers (often shrubs) that carry pollinators when many gardens go quiet.
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.
