Oceanside Sand Loss Problem

Oceanside beaches are part of a naturally eroding sandstone bluff coastline that stretches from Dana Point to La Jolla. Rivers and streams which have supplied beaches with coarse sand have been diverted or dammed. Coastal bluffs have been developed and protected with sea walls and large rocks restricting the natural addition of sandstone to the beaches. Waves, tides, currents, and severe storms sweep sand off the beach. Some of this sand is deposited on other beaches, but most of it is swept out to sea to settle in offshore canyons. Our naturally wide beaches are shrinking and, in some areas disappearing.

Sand Loss is an Environmental Issue

The Henshaw Dam and all the dammed tributaries fed into the San Luis Rey River are a significant reason for the lack of sand washing down the river. The water and sand flow have also been disrupted by construction done along river banks and river mouths. Sand, which typically gets washed down the San Luis Rey River during winter storms and naturally placed on our beaches, was a significant source of fresh sand.

Most significantly, the installation and construction of the Oceanside Harbor breakwater has blocked and redirected sand that would naturally flow south to Oceanside beaches. Camp Pendleton’s small harbor, also called a boat basin, just north of Oceanside was built during World War II. Oceanside’s harbor, built in the 1960s, shares its entrance. Together the harbors create a barrier that blocks the course-grained sand that ocean currents carry along the coast, starving beaches in Oceanside and, some say, as far away as La Jolla.

Sand Loss is a Safety Issue

There is a lack of public safety access for lifeguards and firefighters, with no sand on the beach. Lifeguards no longer have the ability to drive their rescue vehicles along the beach to perform safety rescues. First responders now risk their safety having to climb over and down the large boulders placed on the beaches to access the water. Those who need to be evacuated from the water now have to wait in the water for a lifeguard boat to come from the harbor. A fortified sandy beach will help support public safety.

Sand Loss is a Habitat Issue

The loss of the natural ecosystem and wildlife is already being documented and studied. We are experiencing a significant disappearance of birds, fish, sand crabs, etc. The western Snowy Plovers' population has declined for several years due to a loss of habitat and disturbances along local beaches. The Western Snowy Plovers need open sandy areas with some vegetation to nest in.

From March through August, Southern California beaches become mating grounds to the California Grunion. Grunion are (sardine-sized) fish that land themselves on the local beaches with the assistance of waves at high tide as they try to swim as far up the sandy beach as possible. As female Grunions bury their tails in the sandy nest, the male mates and fertilizes their eggs. After the fertilized eggs are deposited into the sand, away from seawater, the eggs will incubate and be kept moist by the wet sand. While incubating, they are subject to many predators, such as Shorebirds. The eggs will remain in the wet sand for about 10 days before hatching and returning to the ocean. A fortified sandy beach will help restore the natural ecosystems that are disappearing from our coastline.

Sand Loss is a Tourism Issue

The beach is the number one reason for tourists to visit Oceanside. Tourists spent $351 million in Oceanside in 2018. Tourists and other visitors are often disappointed with the lack of sand on Oceanside beaches. Short-term renters are finding that many tourists do not return because of our beaches and the lack of a sandy playground. The economic impact to Oceanside (and all of San Diego County) due to the loss of tourism will create a great loss of jobs and tax revenue. Surf contests and other recreational events which Oceanside hosts will have to relocate due to a lack of sand on the beach. The significant economic impact of tourism in Oceanside and San Diego is in jeopardy. A fortified sandy beach can be Oceanside’s best tourist attraction.

Sand Loss is an Infrastructure Issue

Public and private property has experienced significant damage along the coastline from severe winter storms. Residents south of Wisconsin Street have built rock walls to protect property. Beaches have shrunk north of Tyson Street and disappeared south of Wisconsin Street. A fortified sandy beach will help protect public and private property from storm damage.

Our Mission

SOS Oceanside is on a mission to Protect and Restore the natural ecosystems disappearing from our beaches. A broad, sandy beach is considered critical infrastructure and the lifeblood of our city. Will you join us to help Save Oceanside Sand?