San Onofre Shoreline Resilience Project

San O Community
Assembly
Virtual Feedback

Your voice and lived experience is critical to getting the future of San O right. Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the following engagement exercises.

The following exercises are a direct copy of what people completed at the in-person assembly. All comments will be transcribed; your identity will not be shared publicly.

If you have not yet watched the San O Community Assembly webinar, please do so before responding. You can view the recording here. Many of the questions asked in this survey build on what was presented in the webinar.

Before we begin

Who's completing this form?

Your first name is required. Email is suggested in case we have further questions or need clarification. Your information will not be publicly shared.

Please enter your name to continue.
We'll only reach out if we need to clarify something you shared.
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Section 1 of 3  ·  What we heard you say

What we heard you say

Below are the top recurring words from community responses between 2024–2026, drawn from over 150 responses.

Word cloud of top community responses 2024–2026

From over 150 responses, the main themes and values that emerged are below. What values resonate most with you? You may place two stickers. You can place both on one card or split them; distribute them in a way that most reflects what's most important to you. Place your stickers by clicking each card. Click again to add more or remove.

Stickers remaining
2
Parking
I want people to be able to get to San Onofre, now and in the future.
1
Preserving San O Character
I want to preserve what makes San Onofre feel timeless — the dirt road, bamboo (arundo), windvane, and palapas.
1
Beach Erosion & Shoreline Resilience
I want to protect the natural shoreline and keep the beach from disappearing.
1
Facilities
Bathrooms & Showers. I want to ensure amenities that are accessible on the beach.
1
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Section 2 of 3  ·  First-look alternatives

Nature-based solutions for Surf Beach

Project goal: Increase the resilience of Surf Beach using nature-based solutions to maintain access in the near to mid term (10–30 years) and support long-term adaptation. Below are four potential concepts being evaluated.

1 Potential Concept: Dunes
Dunes
Surf Beach circa 1950 and restored dunes at Surfers Point, Ventura County

What: Mounds of sand that form low topography (1–3 ft) along the shoreline.

Where: Along the back of sufficiently wide sandy beaches where wind can blow sand inland.

Why/How: Provide important coastal habitat and serve as a buffer against storms. Can provide sand and space for the beach to migrate during erosion events.

Dunes fit best where a wide, undisturbed beach allows them to form and recover. Current conditions and use make it challenging to establish dunes at San O today.

2 Potential Concept: Cobble Berm
Cobble Berm
Concept illustration of cobble berm nourishment along Surf Beach

What: Deposits of rounded rock, typically 2–10 inches, often buried by beach sand and exposed seasonally.

Where: Develop near river mouths and along erosive bluffs.

Why/How: Naturally adjust to storms and sea level rise, providing erosion resistance that is more flexible and accessible.

Cobble berms are dynamic shoreline features that can provide erosion resistance that is compatible with natural coastal processes. A cobble berm appears practical and site-compatible for San O and could help reduce erosion along the constrained and actively used shoreline.

3 Potential Concept: Cobble Reef
Cobble Reef
Concept illustration of cobble reef nourishment at Surf Beach

What: A nearshore deposit of cobble and/or boulders that can be buried by beach sand and exposed seasonally.

Where: Develop naturally at river mouths and where retreating bluffs supply coarse sediment.

Why/How: Artificial reefs could dampen waves and support surfing resources.

Cobble reef nourishment at San O is risky: higher cost, uncertain effectiveness and resilience, greater impacts, likely still need cobble berm component to increase parking lot resilience.

4 Potential Concept: Allow Erosion
Allow Erosion
San O beach and bluff showing former river channel and future reef potential

What: Flowing and eroding watersheds deliver sand to the coast; eroding bluffs provide additional sediment.

Where: Erosion occurs anywhere you let it.

Why/How: Allowing erosion at a bluff- or dune-backed shoreline creates more space for a beach to persist with sea level rise. At San O, eroded bluff sediment also provides coarse material that forms the reef and its surf breaks.

At San O, allowing more natural erosion could help reconnect bluff, beach, and reef processes over time.

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Section 3 of 3  ·  Immediate-term access

What happens while we wait?

The following questions are separate from the San Onofre Shoreline Resilience Project. They focus on CA State Parks concepts for immediate access needs — in case the road is damaged before the long-term design is implemented.

Focus Parking

You told us: parking loss is your top concern.
Based on shoreline erosion observed last winter and forecasts for a strong El Niño this coming winter, there is significant risk that the beachfront road and parking lot could become unsafe or inaccessible to vehicles. A nearby alternative will likely be needed.

Immediate alternative access options are limited to land within the State Parks' lease area. The concept: repurpose the current queuing lot as an alternative parking area, with queuing relocated to a different location pending traffic studies.

Aerial map showing queuing lot concept with State Parks lease area in green

*Please keep comments only relating to parking. The next questions will focus on getting to the beach from the bluff and access for people with mobility disabilities.

Focus Getting to the beach

If a parking alternative is offered on the bluff, users will need a way to get down to the beach. California State Parks is pursuing funding to study whether a bluff-top staircase is engineerable.

Red Trail — 1,047 yds to Old Man's
Would require a trail or staircase
Blue Trail — 1,329 yds to Old Man's
Immediately usable as-is
Green Trail — 277 yds to Old Man's
Shortest route — would require trail or staircase
Aerial map showing Red, Blue, and Green trail alignments
San Elijo State Beach wooden staircase
Wooden staircase
Usable in all weather conditions
Beacons Beach switchback trail
Switchback trail
May close due to rain or maintenance
Focus Mobility disabilities

Do you have a mobility disability?

The next series of questions are specifically for mobility-disabled and adaptive beach users. Bluff trails and staircases would not provide access for this group — so we're asking separately.

You told us: disabled access is the #2 issue.
San O has an incredibly robust community of adaptive users and users with mobility disabilities. We understand that stairs or trails to the bluff would not provide access for this user group.

Last year, we asked disabled users about the possibility of using a shuttle system to travel from the bluff to the beach. The proposed options were: (1) shuttle at set times, (2) shuttle by pre-scheduling, and (3) I would not use a shuttle. Two votes were cast for pre-scheduling, and two comments expressed concern about on-demand availability.

Aerial map comparing P1 and P2 parking options

* In both alternatives, users would still be responsible for launching their own watercraft.

*The dotted red line on the map indicates where parking would likely be cut off and unnavigable for vehicles in the event of a major road failure.

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Final thoughts

Anything we didn't ask?

This is your open space. If something didn't fit into the previous exercises — or if you want to add more context to any of your answers — leave it here.

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San Onofre Shoreline Resilience Project

Thank you for participating.

Your input goes directly to the Surfrider Foundation team and California State Parks as part of the community engagement record. It won't be shared publicly.

Questions? Reach out to Surfrider →