Ryan Anderson, Gary Griggs, Charles Lester, Kiki Patsch, and Kim Steinhardt, 2024. “The past, present, and future of Seacliff State Beach: Adapting to long-term sea level rise on California’s Central Coast,” Shore & Beach, 92(2), 10-25.
Access Shore & Beach Vol. 92, No. 2
ASBPA members have access to a full digital edition of Shore & Beach. Become a member now to get immediate access.
https://doi.org/10.34237/1009223
The past, present, and future of Seacliff State Beach: Adapting to long-term sea level rise on California’s Central Coast
Ryan Anderson,1 Gary Griggs,2*Charles Lester,3 Kiki Patsch,4 and Kim Steinhardt5
1) Department of Anthropology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA 95053
2) Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences & Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
3) Ocean and Coastal Policy Center, Marine Sciences Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
4) Environmental Science and Resource Management, California State University Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA 93012
5) California State administrative law judge (Ret.)
*Corresponding author
In a display of the increasingly destructive impact of climate change and sea level rise, in January 2023 unusually severe storms hit California’s west coast and devastated the infrastructure at Monterey Bay’s Seacliff State Beach. Additional severe storms in December 2023 compounded the damage. This article frames the potential application of a new approach for recovery planning along the California coast by examining historical failures, accelerating threats, and the economic and societal factors that create obstacles to long-term success at places such as Seacliff. While each situation differs, the Seacliff State Beach challenge is representative of an ever-widening dilemma faced by many seaside communities. The possibilities for coastal adaptation at Seacliff, based in part on California’s innovative state policies, provide an opportunity to consider sustainable and equitable planning approaches for local communities, government, business, and ultimately future generations.