Save Your California Coast! 2025

The California Coastal Act protects two key rights: public beach access and coastal preservation. But those rights came under the fiercest attack yet as the Trump administration sought to weaken or eliminate the California Coastal Commission – the agency charged with upholding the Coastal Act. 

Without the Coastal Commission's enforcement of the Coastal Act, many of California's 1,110 miles of public beaches could become effectively privatized, blocking access for families, surfers, and anyone seeking relief from inland heat.

Countless examples of these types of efforts exist up and down the state's shores. Surfrider has fought and won dozens of access battles over the years, including in San Diego, Dana Point, Malibu and, in a case that went up to the Supreme Court, at Martin's Beach just south of Half Moon Bay.

Meanwhile, several of California's own state legislators proposed legislation during this past session that would have undermined key provisions of the Coastal Act. But between Surfrider's inaugural Love Your Beach tour – thanks to everyone who signed postcards! – and tireless efforts working with legislators and staff in Sacramento, federal and state efforts to override or impede on the rights of Californians to have a protected, accessible coast failed to gain momentum.

Specifically, federal threats to circumvent or abolish the Commission failed to translate into legislation, and state bills proposing Coastal Act exemptions were either amended to improved versions that Surfrider could support (or remain neutral on) or failed to pass through the legislature. 

While the work is never done – the coast and efforts to protect it remain always under threat – 2025 brought affirmation that Californians care about coastal protection and equitable access, and will stand up against those who threaten these values held so dear.