2.海獭是海底的守护者

The San Andreas Fault creates natural obstacles to civilization.

Big Sur is flanked by the Santa Lucia Mountains-- and the Pacific Ocean.

Just offshore is the largest submarine canyon in North America.

Sea otters are the protectors of this undersea Mecca.

Otters avoid land, but the rocky coast is mobbed with up to five species ofseals and sea lions.

Two miles inland, coastal redwoods hide cougars. . . and newly hatched condor chicks.

East of the sequoias, Big Surstretches into meadows and oak woodlands.

Each unique address could be a postcard.

But Big Sur's lifeblood is turbulent.

Dramas unfold in every niche.