Shoreline Adaptation Blueprints

Resilient Coast Santa Cruz 2.0 Project

The City of Santa Cruz recently kicked off the Resilient Coast Santa Cruz 2.0 Initiative to develop Shoreline Adaptation Management Plans, including a set of projects to prepare the coast for the next 20-30 years. This project, funded by the Ocean Protection Council, focuses on West Cliff, Main/Cowell Beaches, and Cliff.

In early November, the City held three Community Conversation Open Houses to introduce the project and gather feedback from the community members on existing and future coastal conditions. Thank you to the nearly 100 people that participated in the Open Houses. You can review Open House materials including updated existing and future conditions maps, a frequently asked questions document and feedback summary below.

Please let us know if you have any feedback or questions on any of the Open House materials through this Feedback Form.

 

Project Goals

  • Combine past studies and current science for a shared understanding of coastal risks.
  • Involve the Community in shaping solutions and coordinate with local to federal partners.
  • Identify funding sources and policies to move from planning to action.
  • Deliver Shoreline Adaptation Blueprints with prioritized projects.
  • Recommend coastal policies to integrate into a future amendment to the Local Coastal Program Beaches and Bluffs Chapter.


 

Participate

There are several ways to participate in the project and share your ideas about the Santa Cruz coast. You can attend community meetings, participate in neighborhood-specific focus groups, and stay informed about project updates on this webpage. If you have any questions, contact hpapendick@santacruzca.gov. Sign up for the project mailing list by adding your email and subscribing to Climate and Resiliency updates under the Projects and Special Topics category here.

We invite you to review and provide feedback on the Existing and Future Conditions Maps and other materials shared at the three Open Houses. Please let us know if you have any feedback or questions about any of the Open House materials through this Feedback Form.

Upcoming Events

Focus Groups

We will be hosting focus groups in winter and spring of 2026. If you are part of one of the following groups and would like to participate, please indicate your interest on the feedback form here.

  • Beach Flats and Lower Ocean neighbors (in Spanish)
  • Main and Cowell Beach adjacent businesses
  • West Cliff neighbors
  • Surfers and coastal recreation users
  • Seabright neighbors


Community Conversations

The next round of community engagement events will be held in late spring/early summer 2026. Please subscribe to the project listserv to stay informed on upcoming events.


 

Past Events

In early November 2025, the City held three Community Conversation Open Houses to introduce the project and gather feedback from community members on existing and future coastal conditions.

November 2025 Open House Materials

See below for materials from Open Houses held on November 5, 6, and 13th. Please let us know if you have any feedback or questions on any of the Open House materials through this Feedback Form.

Advisory Committee Meeting (October 30, 2025)

 

Project Workplan Highlights 

  1. Project Management – Led by the City Manager’s Office and supported by the City’s internal Coastal Team and technical/engagement consultants. Checkpoints with City Council at 4 key project milestones.
  2. Information Gathering – Collect all past data, identify and address gaps, and share a clear summary with the community for input.
  3. Community Engagement – Conduct area specific community conversations, focus groups, and surveys, including under-represented groups and tribal consultation.
  4. Adaptation Pathways – Refine strategies for how and when these 3 coastal areas adapt, supported by engaging visuals, story maps, and clear decision points.
  5. Financial Planning – Analyze funding options such as climate resilience districts, green bonds, and insurance pilots to support long-term investment.
  6. Blueprint Development – Produce three accessible, graphically rich blueprints that outline adaptation projects, policies, and funding strategies.

Timeline

Fall 2025 – Early 2026: Engagement with residents, focus groups, and advisory committee; begin refining adaptation pathways and presenting interactive visual tools.

Spring 2026: Develop and share draft strategies, decision pathways and projects for each coastal area; gather feedback from community polling.

Fall 2026: Complete financial analysis and funding strategies to support priority projects.

Winter 2027: Draft and finalize the three Shoreline Adaptation Blueprints, with public review and Council adoption by December 2026.

Spring 2027: Develop and share draft strategies, decision pathways and projects for each coastal area; gather feedback from community polling.

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