September 14, 2005


     Mail Stop 4561
     Nick Ventimiglia
Chief Executive Officer
Central Coast Bancorp
301 Main Street
Salinas, California 93901

      Re:	Central Coast Bancorp
		Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004
		File No. 0-25418

Dear Mr. Ventimiglia:

      We have reviewed your filing and have the following
comments.
We have limited our review of your filing to those issues we have
addressed in our comments.  In some of our comments, we may ask
you
to provide us with information so we may better understand your
disclosure.  After reviewing this information, we may raise
additional comments.

      Please understand that the purpose of our review process is
to
assist you in your compliance with the applicable disclosure
requirements and to enhance the overall disclosure in your filing.
We look forward to working with you in these respects.  We welcome
any questions you may have about our comments or any other aspect
of
our review.  Feel free to call us at the telephone numbers listed
at
the end of this letter.

Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies and Operations
Allowance for Loan Losses, page 56

1. In your Results of Operations, you state that the provision for
loan losses increased significantly during 2004 due to higher loan
growth coupled with a $3.3 million charge-off reported in the
third
quarter.  Please provide us with the following information:

* separately quantify the increase in the provision due to higher
loan growth and the increase due to the $3.3 million charge-off;

* quantify the portion of the $3.3 million charge-off provided for
prior to 2004;  and

* tell us why you recorded a significantly higher provision for
loan
losses during the fourth quarter rather than the third quarter
when
the charge-off was reported.

2. In your Balance Sheet Analysis, you state that the formula
allowance for loans decreased in part due to a reduction in the
factor applied to unsecured loans graded as special mention.
Please
provide us with the following information:
* tell us if this change in methodology was applied consistently
throughout 2004;
* explain the reasons for the change in methodology; and
* quantify the impact of this change on your allowance for loan
losses as of December 31, 2004.

      As appropriate, please respond to these comments within 10
business days or tell us when you will provide us with a response.
Please furnish a response letter that keys your responses to our
comments and provides any requested information.  Detailed letters
greatly facilitate our review.  Please file your response letter
on
EDGAR.  Please understand that we may have additional comments
after
reviewing your responses to our comments.

	 We urge all persons who are responsible for the accuracy and
adequacy of the disclosure in the filing to be certain that the
filing includes all information required under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and that they have provided all information
investors require for an informed investment decision.  Since the
company and its management are in possession of all facts relating
to
a company`s disclosure, they are responsible for the accuracy and
adequacy of the disclosures they have made.

	In connection with responding to our comments, please
provide,
in writing, a statement from the company acknowledging that:

* the company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the
disclosure in the filing;

* staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to staff
comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action
with
respect to the filing; and

* the company may not assert staff comments as a defense in any
proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the
federal securities laws of the United States.



      In addition, please be advised that the Division of
Enforcement
has access to all information you provide to the staff of the
Division of Corporation Finance in our review of your filing or in
response to our comments on your filing.

You may contact Sharon Johnson, Staff Accountant, at (202) 551-
3474
or me at (202) 551-3490 if you have questions.


      Sincerely,



      Donald Walker
								Senior Assistant Chief
Accountant
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Nick Ventimiglia
Central Coast Bancorp
September 14, 2005
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