Public Safety
High surf forces Crystal Cove cottage evacuations and San Onofre closures
California State Parks evacuated occupants of 26 historic cottages and restricted access after coastal erosion damaged roads, utilities and shoreline facilities.
California State Parks temporarily closed portions of Crystal Cove State Park and San Onofre State Beach on October 9 after high tides and large surf from Tropical Storm Rachel caused coastal erosion and infrastructure damage.
Crystal Cove: Occupants of 26 vulnerable Historic District cottages evacuated
Reservations: Canceled through at least October 13
San Onofre: Road, parking and utility damage limits access at Surf Beach
Emergency work underway at both parks
At Crystal Cove, portions of the Historic District beach are closed while crews assess damage to historic facilities, access areas and utilities. State Parks is installing temporary sand-filled barriers to reduce wave impacts and protect threatened resources.
At San Onofre’s Surf Beach, erosion damaged the shoreline, roadway, parking areas and utility infrastructure. The surf exposed and broke a water main serving the restrooms, leaving water service and restroom facilities unavailable. Crews also are removing a restroom building threatened by the erosion.
Vehicle access is significantly limited, and pedestrians and bicyclists must remain outside active work zones. Surf Beach remains open outside those designated areas, but conditions and restrictions may change.
State Parks said large surf and elevated tides were expected through the weekend, with potentially damaging conditions on Sunday, October 11. Visitors should use the agency’s current park pages for reopening information rather than relying on this dated summary.