Low impact
Moonlight Beach
Sand-Friendly Zones
Wide recreational beaches that benefit from added sand.
A coastal initiative
Smarter Sand.
Better Beaches.
Protected Waves.
Encinitas doesn't just need more sand — it needs better placement and a long-term strategy that protects the beaches, surf, and ecosystems we love.
A community-driven effort focused on protecting Encinitas beaches, surf, and marine ecosystems.
The Problem
Encinitas has a sand problem — but not the one you think.
Beaches in Encinitas are narrowing over time. Natural sand supply has been disrupted, erosion is increasing, and waves increasingly impact coastal cliffs.
But the real issue isn't just a lack of sand.It's what happens after we add it.
"We don't just have a sand shortage — we have a sand distribution problem."
What's happening now
Millions spent on sand — but it doesn't stay.
Encinitas is part of a long-term sand replenishment effort. Sand is dredged and pumped onto beaches every few years. But once placed, sand quickly shifts south along the coastline and settles unevenly.
1
Sand Placement
Dredged & pumped
2
Ocean Currents
Longshore drift
3
Southward Drift
Coastal migration
4
Uneven Coverage
Hot spots & gaps
Sand moves quickly
Distribution is uneven
Some areas improve, others lose
Reef zones can get buried
Why placement matters
Not every beach needs the same solution.
Targeted
Beacon's Beach
Mixed Sensitivity Zones
Areas requiring targeted, careful placement.
Critical
Swami's
Reef-Critical Zones
Sensitive surf ecosystems where excess sand can bury reefs and degrade waves.
"One-size-fits-all sand placement creates unintended consequences."
The Solution
Smarter sand placement = better outcomes.
Targeted placement by zone
Match strategy to the unique character of each stretch of coast.
Reef and surf protection
Avoid burying reefs and degrading the waves we love.
Monitoring sand movement
Track how sand actually moves — not how we hope it will.
Adaptive replenishment
Data-driven decisions that evolve with the coastline.
Outcomes
What this looks like for Encinitas.
Wider beaches where needed
Protected surf where it matters
Better use of public resources
Healthier marine ecosystems
Protect Our Coastline — the right way.
Smarter science. Better outcomes. Long-term sustainability.