Our Legacy of the Coast Miwok

The Coast Miwok: Life by the Water

A long time ago, the Coast Miwok people lived in the beautiful places we now call Marin and Sonoma. They lived near the ocean, bays, and rolling golden hills—just like in your coloring pictures below!

The little round houses you see are called kotchas. They were made from tule reeds and grasses. These houses were cozy, warm, and perfect for the windy coast. Families slept, told stories, and stayed safe together inside them.

Every day, Coast Miwok families worked with nature. The legacy of our People picked berries, gathered acorns, fished in the ocean, and walked along the shore. They were very good at using plants to make baskets, ropes, and tools. Nothing was wasted.

The children helped parents, but they also played games and explored the hills. They learned by watching and doing, and they grew up knowing the land very well.

When you look at these pictures, you can imagine what their world felt like—quiet waves splashing, birds flying over the water, and people walking along the path to the beach. It was a peaceful place where everyone worked together and lived close to nature.

The Coast Miwok are still here today, and their stories and traditions continue to be an important part of California’s history.