Save San O
To Protect Access To San O With Nature-Based Solutions
San Onofre State Beach is one of California’s most iconic coastlines, home to world-class surf breaks, endangered habitat, and Panhe, a sacred Acjachemen site. But this special place is at risk. Chronic erosion and more frequent, intense storms are undermining the only access road to Surf Beach, threatening parking, and shrinking the shoreline. While natural conditions alone pose a challenge for the beach, a temporary rock wall installed under an emergency permit after the 2016 El Niño season has accelerated erosion further and reduced recreational beach space, leaving the future of public access vulnerable.
To protect San O, Surfrider is leading the San Onofre Shoreline Resilience Project in partnership with the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation, California State Parks, Camp Pendleton, San Onofre Parks Foundation, and other important historic community groups and stakeholders, with the support of Environmental Science Associates, the engineers behind Surfers’ Point. Together, we are working to develop a science-based, community-driven adaptation plan that restores natural beach processes and strengthens the coast against climate impacts. With support from the California Coastal Conservancy, engineers are now studying the shoreline to design nature-based solutions, guided by community workshops, on-site pop-ups, and surveys.
Surfrider has a long history of advocacy at San Onofre, from stopping a toll road through the Save Trestles campaign to protecting endangered habitat. Today, we are building on that legacy to ensure access, culture, and ecology remain at the heart of this coastline’s future.
Join us by signing up for updates and getting involved in shaping the next chapter of San Onofre.
San Onofre Beach & Project Updates Mailing List
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Stay current — Read the latest updates below:
Shaping a Future for San Onofre, Together - September 2025
Beach & Habitat Cleanup — Season Wrap-Up - April, 2025
Trestels Habitat Restoration — What to Know - January 2025
Surfrider Celebrates Milestone for Resilience at San O! - December 2024
Victory at San O! - August 2024
Save San O — Your Beach Access is at Risk! - April 2024
El Niño Slams San Onofre: Surfrider Calls for a Long-Term Plan that Works With Nature - February 2024
Save The Beach, At San Onofre State Beach - September 2023