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 
January 25, 1999 (February 26, 1999 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, 1998.





DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Salinas, California
March 25, 1999