1 EXHIBIT 23.1 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 33-89948 of Central Coast Bancorp on Form S-8 of our report dated February 11, 1997 (March 28, 1997 as to the stock split information in Note 1), appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Central Coast Bancorp for the year ended December 31, 1996. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Salinas, California March 28, 1997 242