Why San Clemente Is Digging Deep to Protect Its Coastline
San Clemente’s iconic coastline has always drawn people in. But lately, it’s not the waves or the sunset views making headlines. It’s the ground itself, shifting, eroding, and threatening the stability of the city’s foundation.
This isn’t just about sand. It’s about survival.
When people hear “beach erosion,” they might picture smaller beaches or lost sandcastles. But here in San Clemente, it’s about protecting homes, public infrastructure, rail access, and local businesses that rely on steady tourism and coastal access to thrive.
That’s why the city is investing in something that doesn’t usually make the front page: offshore sand.
The Plan
San Clemente is partnering with geologists and Coastal Frontiers Corp. to identify potential offshore sand deposits. The idea is simple, find beach-quality sand nearby, bring it to shore, and rebuild what’s been lost. But the implications go deeper.
One promising site near Dana Point may hold exactly what’s needed. If testing confirms it’s viable, it could dramatically cut down on transportation costs and environmental impact, making beach restoration more sustainable long term. According to reporting by the LA Times, the city is investigating 11 offshore sand sites, with six set for sediment testing later this year.
This isn’t just about looks. Sand protects the base of coastal bluffs from wave energy and storm surges. Without it, bluffs collapse. And when that happens, so do the rail lines that run along the coast, lines that thousands rely on every day.
A Bigger Picture
In many ways, San Clemente is becoming a case study in what it means to prepare for climate change at the local level. This is proactive planning, not crisis management. It’s about thinking long term before the damage becomes irreversible.
Local leadership, public-private partnerships, and shared resources with organizations like OCTA (Orange County Transportation Authority) show that it takes a collective effort to protect our coastlines. Collaboration isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary.
Why It's Important
This isn’t just about our city. It’s about coastal communities up and down California and beyond who are facing the same risks.
Our coastline holds more than sand. It holds stories, livelihoods, transportation, protection, and a sense of place. And if we want to keep it, we have to start thinking differently about how we protect it.
Involvd will continue to share updates, advocate for equitable solutions, and highlight the creative and strategic ways communities like ours are responding to environmental change. Because when one coast fights to stay standing, it helps us all.