Work continues on West Cliff Drive. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)

SANTA CRUZ >> Sept 26, Santa Cruz city leaders and Farallon Strategies consultants will hold the first of three meetings this fall to discuss short- and long-term plans for West Cliff and gather residents’ input.

A “community vision” for West Cliff over the next 50 years was released in March. After the Santa Cruz City Council signaled it did not want one-way traffic on West Cliff Drive in April, a revised document was released later that month. 

Now, consultants are designing a 5-Year Roadmap and gathering feedback on what community members want to prioritize.

• 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 26: An online meeting will present a draft 5-Year Roadmap Project and collect input. Register here.
• 5:30-7 p.m., Oct. 21: A meeting at London Nelson Community Center at 301 Center St., Santa Cruz will include a community conversation about the five-year and 50-year plans.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 19: An online community conversation will be held. Registration is expected to appear on the city’s West Cliff web page. Sign up for the city’s email updates on West Cliff.

The city council plans to consider the 5-Year Roadmap in January. 

The short- and long-term visions aim to adapt West Cliff to climate change, which is bringing stronger storms and more rapid erosion. By 2100, erosion is projected to destroy much of the existing pedestrian and bike path. Storms in 2023 and 2024 caused severe erosion on parts of West Cliff, and repairs near Bethany Curve continued this month.

Read more

• One-way traffic on West Cliff quashed by Santa Cruz City Council — April 9, 2024
• West Cliff survey favors fewer cars, more recreation— Feb. 1, 2024
• ‘Living shoreline’ concepts try to stem storm damage on Santa Cruz County coast — Oct. 6, 2023
• Input wanted on 50-year vision for West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz — Aug. 18, 2023
• Future of West Cliff Drive explored by residents, city staff— April 28, 2023

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