1956 Map of Soberanes Point

About this map

Notleys Landing and the Palo Colorado School anchor the southern coastal stretch of this Monterey County survey, reflecting the sparse but established settlement along the Pacific before major mid-century developments. The landscape is defined by deep coastal canyons such as Palo Colorado Canyon and Wildcat Canyon, where steep drainage systems meet the rocky shoreline. Much of the coastline is protected within The California Sea Otter Game Refuge, a designation that highlights the region's environmental preservation efforts during the 1950s. Farther north, the residential clustering of Carmel Highlands contrasts with the large landholdings of the interior, such as Palo Corona Ranch. Historical transit through this difficult terrain is marked by the San Jose Trail and the winding path of Portuguese Ridge, providing a look at the infrastructure that preceded modern access to these coastal bluffs.