Surfrider has opposed Oceanside's groin project proposal since its inception in 2019. We've urged the city to embark on more regional solutions since that time.

We certainly empathize with the people of Oceanside who want sand back on their beaches. However, Surfrider is opposed to groins due to the detrimental effect they have on surrounding beaches. In North County, sand replenishes beaches moving from north to south. As sand supply is a regional issue, we hope Oceanside considers regional solutions that do not negatively affect beaches downstream from them. We urge Oceanside to work collaboratively with neighboring cities via the SANDAG Shoreline Preservation Working Group, etc. A regional approach would benefit not only Oceanside, but all North County beaches. Such an approach is preferable to the pursuit of go-it alone solutions that negatively affect downstream beaches, thus pitting North County cities against each other. Groins in Oceanside would likely create a domino effect of additional coastal armoring down the coast; this would be a death blow to what remains of San Diego County’s natural coastline. Furthermore, the groin project is unlikely to ever see the light of day because the California Coastal Commission has ultimate jurisdiction over this type of project. For the aforementioned reasons, the Commission has not approved a new groin project in over 20 years.
Please see our related blog posts below for more information on Oceanside’s groin project proposal and why Surfrider opposes it.
Relevant Posts

More Groaning Over Groins: Neighboring Cities OPPOSE Oceanside Groin Project
Surfrider has opposed Oceanside’s groin project proposal since its inception in 2019, instead urging the City to embark on more regional solutions to put sand

Call to Action Tips – Oppose a Groin Project in Oceanside
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD *pro-tip – you do not need to be an Oceanside resident. update – read our most recent LETTER to city council.

OPPOSE New Groins in Oceanside
The City of Oceanside has taken action to design four 600 foot long groins and the City’s Public Works Director has publicly stated that this

Groaning Over Groins: Our Position on Sand Retention Strategies in Oceanside
The City of Oceanside will host a second virtual public sand retention workshop on Wednesday June 30 at 6 PM in order to discuss a number

2016 Mid-Year Accomplishments Report
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Two victories at Coastal Commission Hearing last week
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Sand Replensihment Project EIR Comments and Meetings Feb 2-4
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Oceanside Harbor dredging falls short
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Strand Closed in Oceanside 2-28-10
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The importance of coastal bluffs in supplying San Diego area beaches with sand
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Beaches in Oceanside in Trouble
Just to give you an idea of how windy it was at the beach during Tuesday’s storm. Storms expected Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday should have
More Trouble in Oceanside
I went on a walk with my camera again. These new photos are only 3 weeks after the first set of photos from my
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Oceanside Coastal Erosion Photos, by Andrea Holeman
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COASTAL PRESERVATION
Our chapter maintains two volunteer-led committees dedicated to issues related to the preservation of our coast. You can learn more about them by clicking below, or start HERE to get some background on Surfrider’s Coastal Preservation Initiative
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