Waterfront Adaptation Plan
The City of Santa Barbara's Waterfront is a cherished community resource and cornerstone of the local economy. Today, it faces growing challenges from beach erosion and flooding during high tides and major wave events that are causing millions of dollars in damage, disrupting recreation and operations, and rapidly narrowing East Beach. Sea level rise will make these impacts more severe - view Sea Level Rise Interactive Hazard Maps to learn more about projected flooding and erosion from sea level rise.
The purpose of the Waterfront Adaptation Plan is to develop practical solutions to address coastal flooding and erosion for the next 30 years, while enhancing what makes the Waterfront special.
Flooding in the Harbor Commercial Area
Beach erosion caused a partial collapse of the Harbor Boat Yard
Erosion and high tide along East Beach resulting in no usable beach space
Erosion at East Beach
West Beach flooded during a rainstorm
Parking lot for Leadbetter Beach and the Harbor covered in sand
Parking lot for Leadbetter Beach and the Harbor covered in sand and debris
Flooding and erosion threaten the parking lot at Leadbetter Beach and the Harbor
Large waves and erosion damaged the Yacht Club and parking lot
Leadbetter Beach covered in water during a high tide
Leadbetter Beach covered in water during a high tide event
Leadbetter Beach, parking lot, and facilities covered in water and sand during a wave event
Leadbetter Beach restrooms flooded during wave event
What Can be Done to Protect the Waterfront?
The City is evaluating a range of adaptation options that prioritize sandy beaches and recreation, protect the Harbor and inland areas, improve the experience, and provide a safe method to walk and bike along the Waterfront.
Waterfront-Wide Goals & Priorities
Initial ideas include:
- Quick wins like temporary deployable flood control measures and drainage improvements.
- Gradually moving some features at Leadbetter and East Beach inland, including parking, restrooms, paths, park areas, to protect them and create room for wide sandy beaches.
- Adding sand, berms, and dunes to build up and maintain wide sandy beach areas.
- Upgrading West Beach with better stormwater drainage to improve sand quality and adding amenities such as restrooms and showers.
- Protecting the Harbor Commercial Area with a revetment topped with a pedestrian promenade to prevent flooding and erosion and improve public access between the Harbor and Leadbetter Beach.
- Improving the Harbor Commercial Area by expanding services for boating and commercial uses, increasing public access, and creating new revenue opportunities to help fund Waterfront improvements.
- Creating a safe, continuous, and separated walking and biking path along the entire Waterfront that is gradually elevated to protect the path and inland areas from flooding.
The Plan will also analyze additional longer-term options that may be needed in the future and that are more difficult to fund and permit, such as groins, headlands, and offshore reefs.
The identified options will be analyzed in detail as part of a Draft Waterfront Adaptation Plan that is planned for release in early 2027.
The City will host in-person and online open house events in late April/early May 2026 to gather community input. Sign up for email updates at left to be notified of these events.
Learn More About Adaptation Options
