Move the Road to Save the Beach in Carlsbad

The City of Carlsbad is in the initial planning stages to realign a 1-mile stretch of Carlsbad Blvd. that is prone to coastal flooding and erosion, and threatened by rising seas.

Surfrider’s San Diego Chapter is an active stakeholder in the planning process to ensure this project stays on track and reaches completion. Our current focus is to ensure the City commits to demolishing the old roadway once traffic is moved inland. The beach cannot be saved otherwise. 

Surfrider activists are liaising with city staff and residents, as well as advocating to the City Council, about the importance this project will play in saving a popular stretch of beach in South Carlsbad. Additionally, successful implementation of this project would set an inspiring precedent for pulling infrastrucutre back from the coast in order to save our beaches while protecting public infrastructure from damage. Managed retreat, wherever feasible, is the only surefire way to preserve our beaches as sea levels rise accelerates into the 21st century. 

Campaign Resources:

• City of Carlsbad South Carlsbad Coastline Project landing page
  • Las Encinas Creek Alternatives Analysis Report
    • The most detailed report available for this project. Covers sea level rise scenarios, habitat restoration options for Las Encinas Creek & Estuary, and details the Retreat Now option (which we support) vs. the Phased Adaptation (i.e. Retreat Later) option. Prepared by GHD. 
  • March 2022: Carlsbad Blvd Erosion Assessment
    • Study includes a 3-mile area from the mouth of the Batiquitos Lagoon to Terramar beach, which includes the road realignment project area. Prepared by Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 
  • April 2022 Public Input Report 
    • The City Council approved Option 2 on June 20, 2023.June 2022 Roadway Options: Manzano Dr. to Island Way
  • South Carlsbad Climate Adaptation Project: Long-Term Master Plan/Adaptive Management Plan 
• Apr 2 2022: Blog Post - S Carlsbad Blvd Realignment Planning Begins
  • Covers the project and why it's important, details community feedback from the City's public outreach efforts.
• Sep 13 2022: Letter to City Council , Support for the adaptation studies & project
• June 5 2023: Blog Post - Carlsbad Blvd Adaptation Project: RETREAT NOW
  • Also covers the project thoroughly, details the road realignment options and why it's critical to demolish the existing road once realignment occurs. 
• June 19 2023: Letter to City Council, Prioritize the S Carlsbad Blvd managed retreat
• Recap of March 10, 2024 community beach walk led by Surfrider SD