By Virginia Wilson — Special to the OB Rag
Do the people of San Diego need or want a new seawall at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park? Should we spend $32.59 million on such a project while city services are minimized or eliminated?
The city presented its plan for The Sunset Cliffs Seawall Improvement project to the public on Tuesday, May 12th at the Point Loma Library. The amount of information and detail provided was enough for a basic understanding of the project. Dozens of people attended, and at least as many questions were asked and answered.
The proposed seawall would fill the gap between two existing portions of seawall and is meant to protect a short stretch of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard between Adair and Osprey Streets.
The project would consist of a 205 foot length tie back wall and 130 feet of secant wall, for a total of 335 lineal feet. The current estimate of $32.59 million equates to a cost of nearly $100,000 per foot.
But rest assured, that figure does include a fresh coat of asphalt on the roadway between Adair and Osprey, plus our choice of cliff edge barrier – post and rail or post and chain.
Aside from the issue of money, there is a conflict on a deeper level. The seawall portion of the project would be built within the boundaries of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, which has this Vision Statement:
“Create a Park where people can enjoy San Diego’s natural coastal environment as it once was, free from the effects of man and intended to inspire the user to reflect on the grandeur of the sea, and the beauty of the cliffs that are Point Loma.”
The Master Plan for the Park, which has the approval of both the City Council and the California Coastal Commission, also states:
“The naturally eroding cliffs allow the visitor a unique opportunity to view the geological process and encounter fracture lines, sea caves, promontories, arches and stacks. This natural marine erosion creates the spectacular beauty of the cliffs, and their unique sculpted forms should be conserved.”
The Plan also specifically rejects the use of seawalls and other man made structures and calls for the removal of those already built. It recommends soft solutions wherever possible.
This philosophy of allowing Nature to take its course is becoming more widely accepted, and rightly so. The ocean is so powerful that it will eventually overcome any barrier. The concept of a planned retreat may be the best option for coastal areas.
The City of San Diego, by adopting the Coastal Resilience Master Plan, has taken the first step toward living in our environment rather than fighting against it. The proposed Sunset Cliffs Seawall Improvement project would be a costly step in the wrong direction.
Videos of the City of San Diego’s Engineering and Capitol Project Department’s Community Informational Meeting on Tuesday 03/12/2026 at the Point Loma Hervey Branch Library to introduce the public to the Sunset Cliffs Seawall Improvement Project.
Stopped filming after 15 minutes in Part 1, and lost an unknown time of footage including costs, before Part 2.
Meeting Video Part 1
https://youtu.be/83crQWDb5Ik
Missing a bit.
Meeting Video Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJHdLLo5IE0
The City has been working with the California Coastal Commission (CCC) who are against the use of riprap at the base of the seawall, and requested a study on the more natural beach sand nourishment mitigation measures.
This is a foolish expenditure. The sea always wins.
Regarding Dragonian Cuts and Sunset Cliffs Nature Park, I totally oppose this destructive project and much prefer the money goes to saving library and cultural programs though the City of San Diego. The only work that needs to be done at Sunset Cliffs is to protect the paved street from erosion or collapse. Sunset Cliffs is natural treasure for us all…but in the natural form with sandstone and natural rock and tidepools where we can surf, snorkle, fish and enjoy nature.
San Diego unveils $32M Sunset Cliffs seawall plan to curb erosion, residents raise concerns
by Dave Schwab • Times of San Diego
May 13, 2026, 12:15 p.m.
https://nextdoor.com/p/TJTStrNdzrsQ?
I cringe when I learn of any city “improvement” projects as the administration and city engineering design cost can exceed 2/3rds they over all project. In the real world, such fees are usually never more 15%. The million dollar dog beach ramp to nowhere is a good case in point.
Ralph — who is pushing for this project, do you think? It’s not the community or neighborhood. It’s not the environmental crowd.
Can you rule out the neighborhood? Google maps shows at least one vacation rental across the road in the project area. There is also neighborhood opposition to having the boulevard become a one-way street.
The 32 million dollars is a relative thing. It can look really big when people compare it to their own net worth, but what if you could see it as a percentage of all the property tax dollars collected from the entire Point Loma peninsula over the course of a year. Then it might look like a real bargain price for maintaining our current traffic patterns.
Hi Frank,
That is a very good question. I don’t know anything more that what I read this morning in the OB Rag. Perhaps the question could be asked of the city rep at the next OB Planning Group meeting.
At this juncture, any city “improvement” project makes me cringe because the budget is always so outrageously expensive, and the quality of work is always somehow ends up being mucked up the city.
I don’t get it — the ultimate result is a natural coastline, with “naturally eroding cliffs allow the visitor a unique opportunity to view the geological process” – and this will COST MONEY? This absolutely does not need to be done now, or this fiscal year. Many other priorities that affect peoples’ daily lives need those millions. Restrooms at public parks, crime sweeps at the beaches (24 hr) and parking lots.