California State Parks manages several coastal parks along the San Diego Coast District (SDCD), which are the ancestral lands of the Luiseño and Kumeyaay, hold important resources, and provide recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Many coastal parks are experiencing climate-related impacts like sea level rise, which will affect how visitors use and access these parks. In response, Coastal Quest and State Parks are piloting a project to assess vulnerabilities and understand adaptation options for coastal parks in SDCD.
OUR PUBLIC OUTREACH PERIOD HAS CLOSED.
THANKS FOR WEIGHING IN!
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on potential adaptation options and how they enjoy state beaches! Your input will help California State Parks plan for the future of the coastal state park system in San Diego County and help ensure the continued enjoyment of these parks for generations to come. There will be additional opportunities to engage in the future, so stay tuned!
Engagement with California Tribes will continue through early December 2022
Piloting Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessments
San Diego Coast District, Coastal Park Units
California State Parks manages nearly one quarter of the state’s coastline across 128 coastal park units. State Parks also protects some of the State’s most valued natural and cultural resources, while providing world-renowned opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation to more than 50 million visitors each year.
Many coastal park units are already impacted by episodic coastal erosion and flooding caused by waves and storms, which is expected to increase as sea levels continue to rise. In response to sea level rise (SLR), State Parks developed a SLR Adaptation Strategy as a framework to address impacts of SLR on coastal park units.
An initial step outlined in this Strategy is the completion of vulnerability assessments in coastal units of the State Park System to better understand current and future vulnerabilities and plan for a more resilient future for coastal State Parks.
Coastal Quest, in partnership with State Parks, launched a local and regional planning and coordination pilot project in the San Diego Coast District of the State Park System. Funded by the California Ocean Protection Council, the project will complete SLR vulnerability assessments and identify adaptation pathways for nine San Diego Coast District park units. These vulnerability assessments will be performed using a holistic approach to vulnerability and adaptation planning that includes unique State Park assets, including access, recreation, cultural and natural resources, and facilities–assets not typically addressed in other assessments.
Working with the San Diego region’s local communities, government, and key stakeholders who enjoy State Parks, we will:
- Complete holistic vulnerability assessments,
- Identify pathways for adaptation,
- Select up to two sites to support feasibility studies and solution design, and
- Create a vulnerability assessment framework and guidance that can be applied to coastal state parks statewide and adapted for nearby communities.
Get Updates
Coastal Quest and State Parks look forward to engaging with the San Diego region’s local communities, government entities and other partners over the course of the project.
Please sign up below if you would like to be emailed information and announcements about this project in the future:
