A photo of maritime scrub.

Maritime scrub vegetation thrives in the sheltered valley of Abbotts Lagoon (located along the Pacific shore of the peninsula north of the Point Reyes Headlands). This view is from Pierce Point Road. Abbotts Lagoon is an ancient stream valley that was flooded when melting continental ice caps caused sea level to rise after the last glacial maximum. Coastal migration of sand has built up dunes and a barrier island across the mouth of the flooded stream valley. The hill to the left of the lagoon consist of Monterey Formation capped by Santa Margarita Sandstone. Coastal dunes make up the hills to the right of the lagoon.