A California town’s beaches are washing away. Can its residents turn the tide?

Key Points:

• San Clemente, a historic surf town and 2028 Olympic surfing venue, faces severe beach erosion worsened by recent Pacific storms, threatening its beaches and critical coastal infrastructure like the major regional rail line.
• The erosion crisis, exacerbated by climate change and an impending strong El Niño, has led to repeated rail closures and millions in property and public beach damage across Southern California beach towns.
• Local efforts to combat erosion include a proposed 1% sales tax in San Clemente to fund beach restoration and wildfire prevention, reflecting growing community support despite traditional political resistance to taxation.
• Coastal armoring with sea walls is widespread but criticized for accelerating beach loss; experts advocate for managed retreat or costly sand replenishment as more sustainable but challenging solutions.
• Funding for large-scale beach restoration is limited, relying heavily on slow federal appropriations, prompting local activists to push for self-funded measures to protect beaches that are vital for recreation, economy, and coastal defense.