San Clemente’s beaches are among the barest in Orange County, and city officials are scrambling for sand and protective measures ahead of what experts warn could be a “super El Niño” this year. This comes as residents question why their coastline appears so different from neighbors like Newport Beach, which is already fast-tracking sand replacement.
Last month, a series of swells from Hurricane Marie severely battered the coast, sweeping sand out to sea and triggering states of emergency from local cities to the governor’s office. While some cities were able to quickly bring new sand to their shores, San Clemente faces significant challenges in bolstering its beaches against anticipated winter storms.
At an informal gathering over the weekend at a park just off the coast on Saturday, dozens of residents and activists heard from city officials about San Clemente's shoreline problems. City Manager Andy Hall noted that San Clemente had not prioritized beach replenishment in prior decades the way other cities had, stating, “We haven’t been as aggressive as we probably should’ve been,” and calling the situation an “existential” threat.
Adding to the issue, city leaders have grappled with the Pacific Surfliner rail line, which runs along the coast. The OC Transportation Authority (OCTA) has repeatedly protected the tracks by deploying rocks, which officials say has further degraded the city’s sand. This has become a daily reality for San Clemente residents, who have watched their coast shrink over the past decade, leading city officials to block off beach paths that now lead only to rock.
In an interview on Saturday, City Manager Hall emphasized the need for the OC Transportation Authority to become more proactive in securing sand for the beaches. “I hope they’re going to push as hard on getting sand on the beach as they have been to get rocks on the revetment,” Hall said, adding that OCTA should be advocating for sand over rocks. The OCTA board met on Monday and approved an emergency measure for both sand and rocks, despite being in the second year of a four-year process to bring sand to the beach. San Clemente Councilman Victor Cabral stated on Saturday that he wants OCTA to “remediate” much of the damage caused by the rocks in the future.
Local efforts to address the sand deficit include a ballot initiative, Measure M, which San Clemente voters will decide on this November. Written by San Clemente local Cameron Cosgrove, the measure proposes an additional 1% sales tax for ten years, with proceeds allocated to purchasing sand and fireproofing the city if approved by over 50% of voters. Cosgrove noted at the Saturday event that the city's current sand deficit is estimated at two to four million cubic yards, which could add about 100 feet to the beach’s width. He estimated the cost to acquire four million cubic yards at roughly $100 million, explaining that even if the sales tax passes, the city would need to aggressively pursue grants and other funds to meet that goal.
City Manager Hall confirmed that San Clemente's budget is currently stable and healthy but lacks the additional funds needed for beach restoration. Councilman Cabral added that while the city has identified several potential sand sources, these projects cannot move forward without funding. Cabral mentioned residents reporting water in their backyards amid recent swells, declaring, “We need money,” and that “This is a crisis happening in real time.” He also noted the city is looking into federal funding sources if the tax measure fails.
Following the recent swells, San Clemente city leaders approved an emergency expenditure of $1 million to help shore up the coastline. The city is also set to receive another $1 million from the state government, championed by State Sen. Tony Strickland.
In contrast, Newport Beach leaders announced they were accelerating their normal sand replenishment schedule. Approximately 100,000 cubic yards of new sand will be placed along their beaches from the Santa Ana River, with the project expected to begin later this month. Newport Beach spokesperson Georgia Rios clarified that while their permits allow for 200,000 cubic yards, only about 100,000 cubic yards are currently available. This project, which typically costs the city between $1 million and $1.5 million, is being expedited due to anticipated El Niño storms, according to Rios, to protect homes and the coastline. OC Public Works spokesperson Jamie Cargo confirmed that while county staff have moved sand for Newport Beach for the past nine years, city staff will lead this current effort.
City Manager Hall noted on Saturday that cities like Newport Beach are in a better position because they established annual replenishment programs years ago, a practice San Clemente has not adopted. Hall also pointed out that Newport Beach’s development of malls and other tax-generating attractions provides more funds for sand. San Clemente’s choice to remain a smaller beach town means it must find alternative ways to raise the necessary funds. Councilman Cabral stated the city is working to re-engage local leaders and shift transportation funding priorities towards the coastline rather than inland. “Their priorities aren’t here,” Cabral said of current funding allocations. “We’re trying to change that.”
