 |
|
California Ratings
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicator Type |
|
Info |
|
Status |
|
|
|
|
|
Beach Access |
|
9 |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Water Quality |
|
8
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beach Erosion |
|
6 |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
Erosion Response |
|
- |
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beach Fill |
|
7
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
Shoreline Structures |
|
5 |
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Beach Ecology |
|
4 |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
Surfing Areas |
|
10 |
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Website |
|
6 |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
California Surfing Areas
Inventory and Perception of Status
California has approximately 648 well-known surf spots. The length and diversity
of the coastline makes for a wide array of breaks with a full range of sizes
and shapes. However, at several locations throughout the state, erosion,
water quality concerns, development pressures, and other issues threaten
to impact the quality of the surfing experience and in some cases, threaten
the continued existence of the surf spot.
Northern California:
This section of the state (north of San Francisco) is relatively undeveloped.
No major population centers exist on the immediate coast, so many of the
problems associated with urban runoff, interruption of natural sand sources,
and blockage of coastal access are less of a concern here than elsewhere
in the state. Pollution sources tend to be major industries such as paper
mills and the associated logging industry.
Central California:
Erosion problems, with subsequent shoreline armoring and/or beach fill have
been the main focus at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. A portion of the cliff
and parking lot at Sloat Avenue started to erode and fall onto the beach.
The Department of Public Works' response was to dump large boulders along
a 100-yard stretch to act like a seawall. However, Surfrider's San Francisco
Chapter and other groups convinced the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
to add sand to the area instead of more boulders. The city of San Francisco's
attitude toward these surfing areas has improved. The Mayor has formed a
Task Force that includes two chapter members to look at issues affecting
Ocean Beach.
In San Mateo County, a hot issue with surfers on both sides of the fence is the use of Personal Water Craft (PWC). Recreational
PWC use, including use of PWC for tow-ins at the famous "Mavericks" big wave
surf spot, has the potential of threatening the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
and has moved into other surfing areas. Also, over-development is jeopardizing
all the surf spots at Half Moon Bay and the county beaches in general. Nearly
of the surf spots in Santa Cruz County are being threatened by erosion, which
in turn is bringing seawalls and other structures. A particular area of concern
is the Pleasure Point surfing area in Santa Cruz, where bluff erosion has
already caused 41st Street to be converted from a 2-lane to a 1-lane road,
and a large section of the bluff is being armored. The Santa Cruz
chapter has been heavily involved in this issue.
PWC use has now been restricted within the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary in Monterey
County, and some coastal municipalities throughout the state have established
guidelines for PWC use to reduce environmental and human health impacts.
As in San Mateo County, PWC are causing harm as environmental polluters to
Morro Bay (San Luis Obispo County). The county also faces major access problems
as approximately half of San Luis Obispo's 96-mile coastline is under private
ownership or otherwise not open to the public. Water pollution from runoff
and oil are affecting surf spots from Avila Beach to the Santa Maria River
mouth, and shoreline structures (seawalls) threaten areas from Cayucos Pier
to Chaney Avenue. San Luis Obispo County officials typically express more
concern for generating tourist revenue from beachgoers than for protection
of surfing and recognition of surfing as a recreational resource. A current water quality concern is high bacteria levels near Pismo Beach Pier. Surfrider's San Luis Bay chapter is involved with this issue, as well as wastewater treatment upgrades in the Los Osos/Morro Bay area.
An unlined landfill has threatened the water quality at Tajiguas in Santa
Barbara. The Surfrider chapter there is involved with Project Cleanwater,
a stakeholders group with representatives from the state, county, city, and
other NGOs. The city recently passed Measure B to provide an estimated $2
million for water quality improvement efforts. The Santa Barbara Chapter
was successful in forcing the removal of an "emergency" seawall at Goleta
Beach. The Santa Barbara and Isla Vista Chapters are working with local and
federal officials to create the Gaviota Coast National Seashore to further
protect and maintain this beautiful stretch of coastline. Rincon Point has
long been impacted by outdated septic systems, but hopefully the houses there will soon be connected to a sewer system.
A great deal of attention has been focused on Surfer's Point, where the Surfrider
Foundation has been working with the Multi-Agency Task Force to try to come
to a practical long-term solution that will restore and protect the beach.
Since 1995 they have been advocating that the bike path and parking lot be
relocated further inland, public beach access be preserved, the beach be
restored to natural conditions (including the replacement of the artificial
fill under the retreat zone with cobble and sand), and rebuilding the dunes
and leaving a natural shoreline near the Ventura River mouth. Surfrider activists
have been instrumental in the development of the Managed Shoreline Retreat
Project, which currently meets many but not all of the above objectives.
Ventura County reports no other spots directly threatened at this time. The
city itself is becoming increasingly aware of the issues surrounding surf
areas in Ventura, while the county only does the minimum required by law.
Southern California:
While general conditions at Southern California's surfing areas are fair
to good, this area has been the center of many water quality issues. Orange
County Sanitation District's 301(h) waiver, in effect since 1985 (making
it the largest agency in nation using the waiver provision the Federal Clean
Water Act of 1972), was noted above in the section on surf zone water quality.
Although OCSD voted in July 2002 to abandon its waiver, it will take many
years for secondary treatment facilities to be built. Chapters are reporting
numerous water quality problems at local breaks such as Malibu's Surfrider
Beach and Venice Breakwater. Urban runoff from the Santa Ana River enters
the water near Brookhurst Street (Huntington Beach). The Talbert Channel
Outlet, at the same location, also brings year-round runoff to Huntington
Beach State Park and city beaches. At Seal Beach, the San Gabriel River brings
urban runoff to Seal Beach. Urban runoff from San Juan Creek results in frequent
health advisory postings at Doheny State Park in Dana Point.
San Diego's sewage treatment plant is another facility operating under a
301(h) waiver from the requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act. San Diego's
municipal wastewater only receives "advanced primary treatment" and, along with untreated sewage flowing from the Tijuana River, continues
to threaten water quality at Tijuana Sloughs, Imperial Beach and as far north as Coronado. These
are only a few examples of the problem, but in many areas a distressingly high number of beach
postings have made the issue a priority with cities and counties. The long-term
closures at Huntington State Beach during summer 1999 brought a greater concern
for water quality issues to all of Southern California.
Other concerns for Southern California surfing areas include erosion and
development. Solana Beach has several beach areas and surf spots threatened
by large seawall projects. A development at Dana Strands in Dana
Point includes a massive new revetment along the entire length of beach,
in direct conflict with section 30253 of the Coastal Act.
Recognition by State
According to CCC staff:
- California recognizes waves as a valuable recreational, economic, and cultural
resource. It has taken action to protect surf spots. However, it has not
calculated an economic value of surfing and surf-related activities.
- The California Coastal Access Guide does identify ocean recreation opportunities
along the California shoreline; however, surfing areas are not listed in
this document.
- Restrictions on beach recreational activities, including surfing, vary from
beach to beach according to jurisdiction. Restrictions on surfing are based
on health and safety issues - the need to separate users as a means of avoiding
conflicts. Typically such restrictions are posted on-site.49
Several sections of the California Coastal Act deal with the importance of
preserving areas that provide coastal recreation. Although surfing is not
specifically mentioned, the following Coastal Act sections can be interpreted
as protecting surfing areas:
30210. In carrying out the requirement of Section 4 of Article X of
the California Constitution, maximum access, which shall be
conspicuously posted, and recreational opportunities shall be
provided for all the people consistent with public safety needs and
the need to protect public rights, rights of private property owners,
and natural resource areas from overuse.
30213. Lower cost visitor and recreational facilities shall be
protected, encouraged, and, where feasible, provided. Developments
providing public recreational opportunities are preferred.
30220. Coastal areas suited for water-oriented recreational
activities that cannot readily be provided at inland water areas
shall be protected for such uses.
30221. Oceanfront land suitable for recreational use shall be
protected for recreational use and development unless present and
foreseeable future demand for public or commercial recreational
activities that could be accommodated on the property is already
adequately provided for in the area.
Sections 30220 and 30213 of the Coastal Act were recently referred to in a CCC staff report (see page 7) as "surfing policies":
“Based on the aesthetics issue alone the project is inconsistent with the surfing policies (Sections 30220 and 30213) of the Coastal Act.”
More on the California Coastal Act.
The report California's Ocean Economy by Judith Kildow and Charles S. Colgan
(National Ocean Economics Program, July 2005) estimates that there were over 1.1 million active surfers in California in 2000, spending a cumulative 22.6 million days in the water that year.
Local Surfrider Foundation Chapters
Crescent City Chapter
The Crescent City chapter is a very small group, but they have their eye
on the extreme north coast of California.
The Humboldt Chapter has been reborn!
Huntington/Seal Beach Chapter
The Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Chapter Chapter was formed in 1989 as the Long Beach Chapter and later absorbed Seal Beach and Huntington Beach. In late 1998 the Chapter split to be the Huntington/Seal Beach Chapter, leaving the Long Beach Chapter to concentrate on their Breakwater issue.
Currently the HB/SB Chapter has about 1500 members. The Chapter area includes Huntington & Seal Beach beaches, from the San Gabriel River to the Santa Ana River and inland to the foothills, which is most of the San Gabriel River watershed and part of the Santa Ana River watershed.
Chapter programs make the public aware of problems like runoff, litter and the use of plastic that ends up in the ocean and on our beaches.
The chapter schedules regular Beach Cleanups to keep the beaches clean and help volunteers learn what the problems are. They also do educational presentations school and civic groups upon request.
The Chapter supports local issues that protect the beaches and ocean. They helped defeat Orange County Sanitation District's 301H waiver that allowed ocean discharge of partially treated sewage. The chapter opposes the proposed Desalination Plant in Huntington Beach.
Isla Vista Chapter
Isla Vista is a predominantly college student town perched on one mile of blufftop north of the UCSB campus in Goleta, CA. The IV Surfrider chapter is unique in its make-up in that it has nearly entirely college-aged participants. The chapter creates both a social network as well as a program in which young people can take personal responsibility for the environment they inhabit and make a difference in their unique local community.
Long Beach Chapter
The Long Beach Chapter of Surfrider Foundation is a unique chapter in that they're one of the only chapters to be located at a beach without waves!
The Long Beach Breakwater blocks waves from entering the beaches and "protects" the coastline of long Beach from erosion. The chapter believes that the breakwater can be reconfigured to bring back the surf and improve water quality, while at the same time allowing sufficient protection for the coastline.
West Los Angeles/Malibu Chapter
The West LA/Malibu Chapter represents 31 miles of coastline from Ballona Creek to the LA county line and inland. Check out their programs.
Marin County Chapter
The Marin County Chapter has an active water quality monitoring program that supplements testing done by the County.
Mendocino Chapter
Two important issues for the Mendocino Chapter are water quality and coastal access. Since County water testing is infrequent, chapter members report problems to Environmental Health in order to pressure them to test water when pollution is apparent.
Fort Bragg Office
Mendocino County Environmental Health
961-2714
Areas where the chapter is watching coastal access include Virgin Creek.
Monterey Chapter
The Monterey Chapter is focusing a lot of effort on their Rise Above Plastics Campaign.
Newport Beach Chapter
The Newport Beach chapter of Surfrider was founded in 1990 with a focus on
water quality education and activism. Teach and Test, a water testing program
for local high schools, is the foundation of the educational effort.
San Diego Chapter
The San Diego County Chapter is Surfrider's largest chapter and is very active in water quality and beach protection issues from San Onofre to the border. Contact them to get involved!
San Francisco Chapter
The SF Chapter has developed many local programs. Contact them to get involved!
San Luis Bay Chapter
Check out the chapter website to find out more about their many activities and important coastal protection issues. Get involved!
San Mateo County Chapter
In partnership with other Surfrider Foundation chapters and a coalition of marine protection organizations, the San Mateo County Chapter's mission is to protect the unique resources of the Monterey Bay and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries. The chapter's Blue Water Task Force water quality testing program strives to improve the purity of water flowing from local coastal streams. Other chapter programs maintain, expand and improve public access to the region's shoreline, their beach cleanups work to keep beaches free of trash, and they offer a variety of educational events to the public.
The San Mateo Chapter's Blue Water Task Force Volunteers and the County of San Mateo work together to regularly monitor the water quality along the coast. They also own and operate their own water quality monitoring lab in Princeton by the Sea. If you are interested in becoming our Blue Water Task Force Volunteer, please contact the chapter today!
Since the chapter was founded in 1998, they have made significant achievements:
- Established a Beach Cleanup Program: the chapter hosts regular member-supported cleanups of local beaches, particularly after busy holiday weekends and through the summer months.
- Launched Blue Water Task Force: This task force works with the County of San Mateo Environmental Health Department to continually test the water quality at San Mateo beaches and bring unsafe levels of contamination to the attention of residents.
- Central Coast PWC Campaign: In 2002 the San Mateo chapter became the first chapter in the nation to call for the restricted use of personal water craft ("PWC's" or jet skis) within the boundaries of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). In 2003, they issued a Joint Position Statement with a coalition of environmental groups on the use of PWCs within the boundaries of the MBNMS, and in June 2006 the National Surfrider Board of Directors by a unanimous vote approved our Chapter's proposed Central Coast PWC Campaign position.
- Constructed their own water testing facility in collaboration with the Sewer Authority Midcoast (SAM).
- The chapter continues to influence county, state and federal agencies on land use and access issues.
Santa Barbara Chapter
A SHORT HISTORY OF SB CHAPTER ACTIVISM:
- Surfrider Foundation was founded in 1984 and the Santa Barbara Chapter was started in 1990 by Bob Keats, Keith Zandona and others.
- They successfully opposed the Isla Vista Seawall.
- They successfully opposed the development of a 269-foot-long rock revetment at Campus Point, although the pump house expansion was approved.
- They successfully appealed the Goleta Beach rock revetment emergency placement in 1999 and it was ordered removed, however, 2 years later the county again claimed an emergency and re-installed the rocks which are currently permitted under an emergency permit pending the DEIR. They continue to oppose this hardscaping approach to protecting the park in favor of a more natural approach will BOTH save the park AND protect the beach. UPDATE: See a recent victory (see #121) at Goleta Beach.
- They successfully opposed the construction of a golf course at the former ARCO site on the Gaviota Coast and they are in negotiations with the current owners, the Makar Development Corporation to preserve the site in perpetuity.
- They have been members of the Naples Coalition for over 4 years. In that capacity they are working to reduce, restrict or eliminate the massive development planed at Santa Barbara and Dos Pueblos ranches on the Gaviota Coast.
- They were the first group to do "storm drain stenciling" in Santa Barbara. This involves stenciling storm drains with something that says "Don't Dump Drains to Ocean". For years the chapter did this with paint supplied by the city of SB until finally the city took on the responsibility itself.
- They donated $1000 to the Carpinteria bluffs, $1000 dollars to the Arroyo Honda preservation effort, and $1000 "Save Ellwood". They also helped spread the word about all of those projects.
- They have submitted written testimony or letters of support on virtually every ocean water quality or coastal development or access issue that has come before any local agency. Examples; They supported Heal the Ocean's Rincon sewer project with letters to The Carpinteria Sanitary District, letter of support to Supervisor Firestone regarding the Arroyo Honda Steelhead recovery program, letter of support for increased funding of the county's Storm Water management Program, etc.
Santa Cruz Chapter
The Santa Cruz chapter was founded in 1991. Chapter members are united by their love of and respect for the ocean and by their desire for clean water, healthy beaches and access to such sites. Surfrider was founded by surfers and many of the members surf whenever they can. However, the chapter's members come from many walks of life, and anyone who shares Surfrider Foundations goals is welcome to join. And, when they speak of surfers, they include any and all of the tribe who ride the waves, including their own bodies, surfboards, body-boards, sailboards and kite boards!
Sonoma Coast Chapter
The Sonoma Coast Chapter is made up of volunteers just like you.
If you live or go to the beaches in the Sonoma Coast area, please contact the chapter,
come to their next general meeting and get involved with the chapter's activities.
South Bay (LA) Chapter
The South Bay Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation is very proud of the efforts they have made, and the successes they have achieved in making their communities better places to live and enjoy the ocean. At their core, they are an environmental organization that strives to protect and, where necessary, restore coastal and ocean ecosystems and ensure free and open access to the beach and waves. They are dedicated to making their work FUN AND REWARDING!! See a list of the work they do.
South Orange County Chapter
The South Orange County Chapter covers the coast from Laguna Beach through San Onfore. They were very active in their successful Save Trestles campaign to oppose extension
of the Foothill Transportation Corridor, which would have passed through open space conservation areas, the inland portion of San Onofre State Park, and would have terminated near the world-famous
Trestles surfing area.
Respect the Beach (RTB) is an award-winning coastal educational program that includes field trips, classroom lectures, handouts, video, and hands-on projects designed to coastal watershed processes, shoreline ecology and coastal areas stewardship to K-12 students and community groups. The Respect the Beach program is brought into classrooms by Surfrider members, who represent ocean environmentalism from the surfer's perspective, and who are role models that students can relate to.
Ventura County Chapter
Long-running projects of the Ventura Chapter are the Surfer's Point managed
retreat and Matilija Dam removal projects. More information on these projects
can be found here and
here.
Surfer's Point Managed Retreat
Since 1986, the Ventura Chapter has been involved in a campaign for "managed
retreat" at Surfers Point. The plan of action that the Surfrider Foundation has proposed throughout
this process has been to allow the beach to function
naturally. For a decade the chapter has successfully opposed a planned parking
lot and seawall, and has advocated relocating a storm-damaged bike path away
from the beach and out of harms way.
The latest news on this project as it moves into final design can be found here.
Matilija Dam Removal
The engineering concept for removal of Matilija Dam is described in the newsletter, Matilija
Messenger VI, found on this website.
This publication also describes the mitigation measures to address potential
impacts to downstream water supplies. Initial designs have been prepared
for the siltation basin and high flow bypass, and further design details
will continue to be worked out through ongoing analysis and study.
This consensus plan allows the process to move forward toward Corps Review,
Public Review, and Funding Requests through the federal WRDA process.
The project has received press in the Los Angeles Times and local newspapers.
Surfrider Staff Contacts:
Sarah Damron
Central California Regional Manager
831-728-6528
sdamron@surfrider.org
Nancy Hastings
Southern California Field Coordinator
310-995-7873
nhastings@surfrider.org
Information Sources
The summary of surfing areas comes from Surfer Magazine's The Surf Report issues for the state. Surfrider Foundation Chapters were surveyed to establish surfing conditions in the state.
There are numerous Web sites with information on surfing spots in California. These include:
Surfline
Surf Shot (San Diego area)
Wetsand
Surfpulse (Northern California)
Surfin Santa Cruz
Adam Wright's great socalsurf.com
In Los Angeles County, the Watch the Water Web site provides information on weather and surf conditions, parking, controllable camera views of the beach/surf, and links to several other Web sites that have water quality and other beach information.
|