Running Out of Time: The Race to Save San Clemente's Beaches

Produced in response to the city of San Clemente’s beach erosion issues, “Running Out of Time: The Race to Save San Clemente’s Beaches” explains the complexity of the crisis, highlights the need for effective mitigation, and provides a compelling “call to action” to concerned citizens, as well as state, federal and city officials. Drawing on several informed sources -- including coastal scientists, shoreline restoration engineers, journalists, local politicians, and professional surfers -- the film utilizes its 10-minute run time to combine dramatic cinematography with quantifiable data and anecdotal input, profiling the loss of San Clemente’s beaches in often shocking detail. The message: The beaches are disappearing, and if San Clemente is going to remain a beach town, the time to act is now. Before time runs out.

[jakemarlow]

I have lived in South Orange County for 50 years. For decades, I have recreated at Capistrano Beach Park. Although only a few miles north of San Clemente, the sand did a different thing than what was stated in this video. Beginning in the mid-1980s, each summer, less and less sand returned. There was noticeably less sand each year. I think it was the winter of 2018 when it was hit with large winter swells that coincided with high astronomical tides. That did major damage to the coastline. And it has gotten worse each year after. By the way, I have been going to Central Baja along the Pacific coast for almost 40 years. The exact same thing has been happening down there. Sandy coves that I used to camp in are no longer there. They disappeared over 20 years ago.

[stephenescamilla]

Started surfing 1963 San Diego beaches to Trestles and have watched all beaches lose sand year after year. Own a home right up the street from Buccaneer Beach in south Oceanside, and sadly, we have less and less sand to enjoy. Mother nature at work.

[craig]

Was there anything in here about beach nourishment projects that have been effective? Just wondering if I missed it.

[paulfranzen]

Good job Greg. Good to see you telling the complete story.... instead of simply blaming climate change like others do.

[irshviralvideo]

Great documentary. Thank you for doing this and bringing visibility into this topic. I love san clemente.

[Meishach]

Glad to see this work being done now. We just moved to Orange County last November and San Clemente is our favorite beach town. We'd like to live there some day. What a great place. We love it!

[stevewiles]

The coastline has been eroding for millions of years, the only trouble now is, that so many live on the coast to be affected.

[iScottvideo]

I have a different take after living in Del Mar CA 17 years and seeing all of the confusion and suffering over erosion and the consequences of non-brilliant settlers deciding to build a village on an estuary 100 years ago. CA Coast commission = Bad.
Surfrider Floundation with its own agenda and no board members living in DM, got laughed out of public hearings. SAVE TRESTLES...SAVE TRESTLES was the HEIGHT OF ARROGANCE when it comes to humankind's influence on reversing the damage/ consequences of our existence. Moving save from one place to another is a waste of time and resources because it erroneously suggests man can indefinitely alter nature. Thanks for receiving this alternative perspective. Want to learn more: study Del Mar's SLR fiascos.

[nednakatsuka]

Killer Dana is getting revenge...it was forewarned about the unknown effects of building the breakwater for the harbor.

[joannah.]

I’ve been paying attention. Oceanside beaches are gone, too.

[ehlava]

I wish you had covered how riprap, seawalls, and other hardscaping leads to loss of sand. Where those hardscapes exist... no sand. Where the ocean is allowed to meet the natural landscape, sand is created through erosion (and river deposit and natural dredging/swells). Keep your own eyes open and observe yourself how manmade and natural differ. Maybe you all have given up on this real solution since with continual sea rise it could only mean re-imagining the coast (moving the rail, removing hardscape, creating a buffer).

[chulieho]

there were large kelp beds just offshore all gone now

[theohlinsguy]

One of my favorite spots to surf in the early 60s was Riviera St in San Clemente

[robertvillegas]

Used to surf there late 70s to mid 80s beaches were beautiful ! Here on the big island for almost 40 years . Crazy seeing waves hit the railroad tracks . Bums me out 😞🤙🏾

[workingTchr]

I didn't appreciate California beaches until I went to Hawaii where even the "packed" sand by the water is soft and 30' in you're at 6' deep. It's really horrible for your everyday beach user or body boarder. The whole paradise thing is hype, unless you're a surfer and can paddle out to some sort of reef - and can handle the insane levels of UV.

[jodybryant]

I love this beautiful town and beaches !!!
Many Christmas vacations and and family time together in the summer at the beach, with my husbands family.
I miss you San Clemente !!!
And those Drinks
Tressles!!!pineapple- coconut delight!
Prayers for your beaches.
Much love
Jody
Utah USA 🇺🇸

[Emery]

Great to see the video up, Great working with you and thank you for using my footage

[ghueth]

More man made alterations to fix the results of our previous alterations? How about returning the coast to its natural landscape? Managed retreat did wonders at Surfer's Point in Ventura.

[Unfluencer]

building sand castles to stop erosion is a horrible waste of time and money. malibu does this every few years. either build an artificial reef or let it erode away.

[irshviralvideo]

What do you mean by time running out ? What if the sand replenishment project starts 20 years from now ? Wouldnt it be just a little more sand ?