A few endemic plants, adapted to a variety of physical contrasts, inhabit the coastal cliff next to the sea. Strong sea breezes blow across the sea cliff landscape reducing the amount of moisture in the exposed substrate.

Accordingly, the vegetation tends to be prostrate and succulent. On the other hand, protected leeward cliff sites are often very damp because of moisture laden coastal fog that is characteristic of the southern California shoreline. More herbaceous plants are commonly found in these damp areas.*

*Extracted Natural History of Southern California: Ancinec, Radford, Schwenkmeyer