Dune vegetation is proposed at Santa Cruz Main Beach. (TR Dreszer) 

For more than a year, city staff have been studying nature-based solutions aimed at protecting  the coast from frequent storms and powerful surf — without traditional concrete walls that can drown beaches. The California Coastal Conservancy is funding the study, which is expected to be completed this summer. 

Up to three potential solutions could be partially designed and priced.

One potential nature-based solution is a sand dune with plants at Santa Cruz Main Beach. The “living shoreline” concept could help protect the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk from surf and help buffer Lower Ocean streets from potential flooding while preventing some beach erosion.

Similar projects have helped forestall erosion at other beaches in Santa Cruz County, but scientists have cautioned that nature-based solutions may be more difficult in areas without wide beaches like West Cliff.

A proposal would move West Cliff Drive into Lighthouse Field State Beach near Its Beach and a cliffside parking lot. (City of Santa Cruz) 

Climate change has fueled more frequent and powerful storms, which has accelerated erosion and repeatedly damaged parts of West Cliff Drive. As the climate continues to warm and sea levels rise, the ocean may grow even more destructive. 

The city has completed a five year plan for West Cliff that includes relocating part of the street into Lighthouse Field. 

A separate 50-year vision calls to move more of the road inland and consider converting West Cliff Drive into a one-way street. The Santa Cruz City Council unanimously quashed that idea in April 2024 after pushback from West Cliff residents. 

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