Strengthening Coastal Resilience and Revitalizing Biodiversity at Santa Monica Beach
Los Angeles’ iconic beaches are recognized worldwide, serving as the heart of surf culture and the coastal lifestyle that defines Southern California. To reduce the threats of coastal erosion, flooding, sea level rise, and ensure future generations have a beach to enjoy, The Bay Foundation (TBF) is actively growing sand dunes in Santa Monica.
In 2015, we established our first dune restoration site covering approximately 3 acres, followed by an additional 5 acres in 2024. In 2025 and 2026, in partnership with the City of Santa Monica and UCLA, we are expanding the coastal dunes to roughly 40 acres.
This expansion initiative prioritizes protecting the shoreline, improving access, and enhancing wildlife habitat, while also preserving ample recreational space, including existing facilities such as volleyball courts. The California Coastal Commission approved this expansion on September 11, 2025, and installation is expected to begin in winter 2025. To receive updates, please subscribe to our newsletters.
Curious about how this restoration works? Coastal native plants are cultivated from seed and grow in the sand. Wind carries sand to their extended branches, where it gets captured. This dynamic process of burial and growth continues throughout the seasons, allowing dunes to reach heights of up to 3 feet. This living shoreline, supported by plant roots, acts as a natural defense, safeguarding the beach while also providing critical habitat for wildlife, especially migrating birds. A notable success story is the federally threatened Western Snowy Plover, which had not nested in the Los Angeles region for nearly 70 years until its first nest was discovered at our pilot site in April 2016. Depending on the season, dozens of Western Snowy Plovers can be seen feeding and resting in the Santa Monica Dunes! These same dunes are now 3 feet tall, providing meaningful protection from storms, king tides, and erosion.
Millions of Angelenos and visitors are experiencing these revitalized beaches and California’s rich biodiversity firsthand! Volunteers play a vital role in the success of this restoration. Everyone is welcome to join us in shaping coastal resilience at an upcoming volunteer restoration event!
Project Highlights
Be Part of Creating a Resilient Coast
Your involvement can contribute significantly to our efforts. Participate in this initiative and help us establish and enhance this coastal ecosystem! Check out our upcoming events and sign up for our announcements. All are welcome, and no experience is necessary! Hear from Ryan, a TBF dune restoration volunteer, below:
Planting seeds at the Santa Monica site was awesome! It’s a beach I’ve enjoyed for years, and now I get to be part of its transformation. It’s exciting to demonstrate that what many see as just barren sand, a pier, and tourists can actually support a biodiverse coastal dune ecosystem. I loved chatting with curious beachgoers about the plot, and I could see many of them sharing my excitement. Watching those tiny seeds take root and grow has been a reminder of nature’s resilience and of the impact of our collective efforts.
– Ryan, TBF volunteer
Growing Dunes Since 2015
2015’s restoration site in Santa Monica was seeded with native Southern California coastal beach species, including beautiful flowering sand verbena and beach evening primrose. Today, small dune hummocks are slowly forming that stand 1 to 3 feet tall. Research has demonstrated that this pilot site shows promise for coastal resilience. The dunes have withstood storms and reduce erosion.
For this reason, along with many other benefits such as increasing biodiversity and enhancing beach beauty while preserving recreational space, we are excited to announce that our dune restoration efforts will expand over 38 acres at Santa Monica Beach from winter 2025 through winter 2026. Together with the City of Santa Monica and volunteers, we’re reimagining and showcasing what Los Angeles beaches can be: resilient, biodiverse, and welcoming to all!
Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance
The Bay Foundation regularly monitors and maintains the dunes, reporting key metrics such as acres restored, plant growth, and sand accumulation. These public reports are available in the Resources section below. Curious and/or want to contribute to maintenance? Please join us at an upcoming restoration event to make a difference.
The Future of Santa Monica Beaches: A Thriving Coastal Habitat
Our 2026 – 2027 expansion planning phase includes preserving pedestrian corridors, educational signage, and beach access, all while creating beautiful dune habitats. This first-of-its-kind dune restoration initiative for SoCal brings these benefits with low-to-no impact on existing recreational uses of the beach:
- Enhancing a developed coastline
- Familiarizing residents, especially children, with a healthy, natural landscape
- Honoring the Gabrielino-Tongva as the original and ongoing stewards of this coastline with a medicine wheel
- Promoting tourism based on environmental values through unique aesthetics and bird-watching opportunities
- Educational opportunities, including native plants and healthy beach management
- Understanding a ‘living’ climate change protection project
- Coastal resilience
Be Part of Creating a Resilient Coast
Your involvement can contribute significantly to our efforts. Participate in this initiative and help us establish and enhance this coastal ecosystem! Check out our upcoming events and sign up for our announcements. All are welcome, and no experience is necessary! Hear from Ryan, a TBF dune restoration volunteer, below:
Planting seeds at the Santa Monica site was awesome! It’s a beach I’ve enjoyed for years, and now I get to be part of its transformation. It’s exciting to demonstrate that what many see as just barren sand, a pier, and tourists can actually support a biodiverse coastal dune ecosystem. I loved chatting with curious beachgoers about the plot, and I could see many of them sharing my excitement. Watching those tiny seeds take root and grow has been a reminder of nature’s resilience and of the impact of our collective efforts.
– Ryan, TBF volunteer
Growing Dunes Since 2015
2015’s restoration site in Santa Monica was seeded with native Southern California coastal beach species, including beautiful flowering sand verbena and beach evening primrose. Today, small dune hummocks are slowly forming that stand 1 to 3 feet tall. Research has demonstrated that this pilot site shows promise for coastal resilience. The dunes have withstood storms and reduce erosion.
For this reason, along with many other benefits such as increasing biodiversity and enhancing beach beauty while preserving recreational space, we are excited to announce that our dune restoration efforts will expand over 38 acres at Santa Monica Beach from winter 2025 through winter 2026. Together with the City of Santa Monica and volunteers, we’re reimagining and showcasing what Los Angeles beaches can be: resilient, biodiverse, and welcoming to all!
