Our data from coastal sage scrub restoration sites support findings from Bakker et al. (2003, Ecological Applications 13) that, in semiarid regions, restoration may be more effective during high rainfall years. Note that in a year of higher ppt (2002-03), total native cover after the first year of coastal sage scrub restoration was 2 – 4 x higher than in a relatively dry year (2001-02). After 2 – 3 years of active restoration, sites reached about 60% total native cover. Data were taken from n = 40 randomly located 1 m2 quadrats.