Preserving California’s Past, Protecting Its Future

For nearly 50 years, the California Preservation Foundation has been the voice for historic places throughout the Golden State. We’ve stood up for endangered buildings, helped pass groundbreaking legislation like the California Historic Tax Credit (SB 451), and worked with communities from Redlands to San Francisco to safeguard what makes their neighborhoods special.

In the 1980s, we helped cities adopt some of California’s first strong local preservation laws. In the 1990s and 2000s, we trained thousands of advocates and planners on CEQA, the Mills Act, and how to fight demolitions. When 29 historic buildings in Sierra Madre were threatened in 2001, we supported the legal fight that protected them—and set a statewide precedent.

Today, we’re working on the front lines of climate change, equity, and education. We’ve supported the restoration of the Point Reyes Lighthouse, documented threatened stretches of Route 66, and launched Underrecognized California to uplift stories long overlooked. Whether it’s through legislation, training, or fieldwork, CPF continues to connect people to place—and preserve the full richness of California’s heritage.

Advocacy is at the Heart of What We Do

The California Preservation Foundation provides a wide range of support, from hands-on training to statewide advocacy. We offer diverse educational opportunities, ranging from webinars and workshops to a 4 day-conference filled with over 30 educational sessions, workshops, and study tours. For more information on webinars and workshops currently scheduled or how to request one in or near your community, go to the Education section of our website. 

Resources

Advocacy Alerts

CPF receives advocacy requests continually, so check out this page for an up-to-date list of Advocacy Alerts.

Get Help

Request assistance, and read more about how we decide when and where to act.

Support for Students

We are deeply committed to educating and training the next generation of preservationists. We provide free membership to students, as well as scholarships and the opportunity to be matched with a professional mentor.

Search for Preservation Jobs

View or add preservation job listings in California and beyond.

Professionals Directory

The California Preservation Foundation Resource Directory is a list of professionals involved in the preservation or development of historic properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore our FAQ to find answers to your preservation questions, from CEQA to Surveys and more!.

Easements

Property owners interested in donating preservation easements may request easement application packet at the link above.

Additional Preservation Resources

Click here for a list of preservation resources from across California and around the country.

Our History of Advocacy

• 1970s–1980s: Laying the Legal Foundation

  • Opposed SB 1514 (1976), an early legislative threat requiring owner consent for landmark listings.

  • Co-sponsored California’s first statewide preservation conferences (1976).

  • Supported passage of strong local ordinances (e.g., Redlands, 1986), enabling proactive landmark protections.

• 1990s: Legal Defense & Incentive Tools

  • Provided statewide CEQA training; defended CEQA as a preservation mechanism.

  • Aided in implementing local Mills Act programs for historic property tax reductions.

  • Supported legal action in Sierra Madre v. City of Sierra Madre (2001), preserving 29 historic properties.

• 2000s: Expansion of Technical & Legislative Advocacy

  • Helped local agencies access Prop 12 funding and expand use of Mills Act.

  • Advocated for green building and sustainable preservation as core policy areas.

  • Supported the creation of San Francisco’s Historic Preservation Commission (2009).

• 2010s: Inclusive Preservation and Strategic Partnerships

  • Launched “Stepping Up to Save” campaign to grow education and field services.

  • Initiated Route 66 cultural resource surveys across San Bernardino County.

  • Promoted resilience planning through recognition of the Embarcadero Seawall project and Point Reyes Lighthouse restoration.

• 2020s: Equity, Legislation & Recognition

  • Championed SB 451 (State Historic Tax Credit, 2019); supported implementation and outreach.

  • Launched the Underrecognized California program to support projects documenting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ heritage.

  • Honored community-based preservation projects such as the Netflix Egyptian Theatre restoration and the SF African American Historic Context Statement (2025 President’s Awards).