TrailPeople

TrailPeople led a multi-disciplined team of engineers and environmental scientists to study and design, provide environmental and construction documents, and help obtain a California Coastal Commission permit for this one-mile section of the California Coastal Trail.The project included relocation and reorganization of extensive shoreline parking lots along with habitat restoration.

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This spectacular segment of coast is being impacted by the ongoing processes of shoreline and wave erosion, exacerbated by sea level rise. The coast exhibited a direct conflict between these forces and extensive informal parking and coastal access that had developed over many decades within direct wave impact areas.

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The project balances habitat restoration, accessible trail creation, protection of Native American cultural resources, and continued parking and tour bus access in a design that will be more enjoyable and sustainable.  The medium-term project moves all parking and major facilities beyond the estimated 30-year coastal retreat setback, while the long-term plan re-envisions the adjacent Ocean View Boulevard as a paved trail to move it beyond the coastal retreat line.  The Coastal Commission was so supportive of the project that it was granted a rare permit waiver.