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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 dyF2lnN1uGbIR6QeVVELYQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-09-000581.txt : 20090106
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-09-000581.hdr.sgml : 20090106
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090106154424
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-09-000581
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090102
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090106
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090106

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARENS GEOFFREY W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001279724

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-17189
		FILM NUMBER:		09509919

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1325 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10019

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMUNITIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000840216
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OPERATIVE BUILDERS [1531]
		IRS NUMBER:				020426634
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6 EXECUTIVE CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 250
		CITY:			IRVIN
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92614
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9492507700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6 EXECUTIVE CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 250
		CITY:			IRVIN
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92614

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	KOLL REAL ESTATE GROUP INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19931006

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BOLSA CHICA CO/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19921229

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HENLEY PROPERTIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920727
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-02</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000840216</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMUNITIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CALC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001279724</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ARENS GEOFFREY W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1325 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock - $.05 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-01-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>35714</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.56</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40159</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These are restricted shares that were issued under the Director Fee Program of the Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan at the election of Mr. Arens. The shares vest in 25% increments at the end of each quarter during 2009.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Geoffrey W. Arens</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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