Legislation Permanently Seeks to Protect San Onofre

“The coast is never saved, it is always being saved.” This statement was famously coined by former California Coastal Commission Executive Director, Peter Douglas. Surfrider can attest to the accuracy of this statement. Even when we have fought and won a battle to protect a special place, that victory must constantly be maintained. Which is now the case, as we fight to maintain our victory to Save Trestles forever.

For over 15 years, Surfrider has tirelessly fought to stop toll road construction through San Onofre State Beach. San Onofre State Beach, California’s 5th most visited state park, is home to the last remaining undeveloped watershed in southern California and houses ten federally-threatened or endangered species. The park is also home to the world-famous Trestles Beach and contains many sacred Native American sites.

Over the years, we have won many battles. In 2008, thousands of activists showed up to the Coastal Commission hearing, defeating the toll road. In 2016, we successfully settled a lawsuit which secured an agreement that bans Toll Road Developers from building a road through the park.


Unfortunately, two lawsuits have been filed to undo our historic park protections, leaving San Onofre State Beach vulnerable again. But we are not idly standing by and we have received help from Assemblymember Tasha Boerner-Horvath who introduced a bill that will shore up protections for San Onofre State Beach by codifying the judicial decree that currently protects San Onofre State Beach, the Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy, and the San Mateo Watershed.

Please send a message to your elected official and urge them to permanently protect for San Onofre State Beach and vote YES on AB 1426.