Rewild Surfers Point

Surfers Point, in Ventura, California, is a resource created over millennia and cherished by many. Home to an iconic California point break, rich wildlife habitat, and special coastal access, the shoreline here has been an important site for people for thousands of years. After a parking lot and paved bike path were built on this dynamic shoreline in 1980s, significant erosion began to undermine the very resources that the infrastructure was built to support. Seawalls and rock revetment were proposed as solutions to defend the lot against the sea. The beach, waves, and experience of Surfers Point were under threat.

Beginning in 1995, Surfrider embarked on an ambitious decades-long campaign to restore and protect Surfers Point by using nature instead of fighting it. Through dedicated advocacy, community engagement, and collaboration with stakeholders, Surfrider's Ventura Chapter played a critical role in shaping what has become the Surfers Point Managed Shoreline Retreat project. The chapter and coalition partners successfully advocated for nature-based solutions to enhance coastal resilience and prevent sea walls and revetment that would have destroyed the beach and surf break at Surfers' Point.

In 2011, the project's first phase of the project was complete. The crumbling bike path and parking lot were relocated further inland, making way for a restored shoreline. A cobble berm covered with sand dunes and native vegetation was installed adding decades of resilience for one part of Surfers Point. 

Phase I quickly demonstrated the project's effectiveness at enhancing coastal resilience and benefiting both the environment and the community. The restoration efforts have resulted in the return of coastal wildlife, improved access to the area, and greater coastal resilience in the face of a changing climate.

In 2023, the project received a significant boost with the approval of $16.2 million in funding from the California Coastal Conservancy for a Phase II. This funding enabled the relocation of the remaining bike path and parking lot, creating space for critical beach dune habitat and completing the original envisioned living shoreline. Implementation of Phase II began in October 2024 and is being completed in March 2026.

The project exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives and Surfrider's commitment to coastal resilience through nature-based solutions. Surfrider played a significant role in the success of Surfers Point. The chapter tirelessly advocated for tools that work with nature and not against it, provided sustained and passionate leadership, worked collaboratively with partners, and never gave up. Ultimately a coalition of partners achieved a vision rooted in the community and nature that includes: the City of Ventura, the County of Ventura, Ventura County Fairgrounds, California Coastal Conservancy, California Coastal Commission, Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment (BEACON), Sail Windsurfing Club, Ventura Bicycle Coalition and many others. 

This project serves as an inspiring example for communities worldwide, demonstrating that collaborative efforts can create a more resilient future for coastal environments while preserving the unique beauty and recreational opportunities they provide.