OC Parks commenced a $520,000 sand replenishment project at Capistrano Beach, beginning October 14, with operations observed on October 21. The initiative aims to add approximately 9,000 cubic yards of sand to mitigate coastal erosion and safeguard the shoreline and existing infrastructure. This area has recently experienced significant impacts from powerful, hurricane-fueled waves, storm surges, and high tides.
Truckloads of sand from the LaPeyre Quarry native soil off Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano are being delivered to Capistrano Beach Park. Crews, observed using bulldozers to spread the sand, are scheduled to continue operations through the end of the month, working weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., contingent on wave and weather conditions.
The project addresses ongoing coastal erosion, particularly along Beach Road, where several homes have sustained severe damage or have been lost due to recent storm surges, high tides, and strong El Niño conditions. As of last week, seven homes were red-tagged, meaning they were deemed uninhabitable, according to reports from Dana Point Times. With King Tides anticipated in November and December, the objective of the added sand is to provide a wider buffer between the ocean and the shoreline, protecting vital infrastructure.
Fifth District OC Supervisor Katrina Foley emphasized the importance of such efforts, stating, “Sand is infrastructure.” Foley further remarked in an interview with Dana Point Times that the county needs to prioritize sand replenishment similarly to “pavement repair,” advocating for regular maintenance rather than reacting only after damage occurs. She underscored that beaches are critical infrastructure, supporting the coastal economy and other essential services.
This current sand placement at Capistrano Beach is considered a temporary measure while Orange County develops a more extensive, longer-term strategy to protect the shoreline, including neighboring Doheny State Beach. The California Coastal Commission approved the work as an interim step before the larger Capistrano-Doheny Beach Nature-Based Shoreline Adaptation Project. This broader project envisions restoring natural sand dunes to help retain sand and reduce wave damage. The Orange County Board of Supervisors recently approved a $2.4 million grant to advance this larger project, which had previously faced funding delays.
Supervisor Foley's office is also funding research into alternative replenishment methods. One long-term solution under consideration is offshore dredging, which involves a vessel pumping sand directly from offshore deposits onto eroded beaches, allowing for larger quantities of sand to be moved more efficiently than trucking from quarries. Foley proposed securing a dedicated dredging vessel for the West Coast, estimating its cost at approximately $200 million and suggesting it would likely require partnerships with other West Coast states. She envisioned the dredger operating systematically along the entire West Coast.
During the ongoing work, portions of Capistrano Beach may experience temporary closures, with flaggers on-site to direct pedestrians and cyclists around construction zones. Similar sand replenishment initiatives have been undertaken at San Clemente beaches in recent months and years.
