Book excerpt: California experienced significant coastal damage during the winter of January and February 1978. A combination of high astronomical tides, strong onshore winds, high storm waves, and excessive rainfall produced an aggravated erosional condition. This report documents the causes and results of the dynamic conditions which led to the storm damage along the California coastline. Also included, as an appendix, is a section of a report by the California Coastal Commission summarizing the cost analysis of damage along coastal California. (Author).