Posted on March 20, 2026
SANTA MONICA, CA — The City of Santa Monica and The Bay Foundation are restoring 30 acres of beach along local shorelines to a natural, wild state.
The project is the latest phase of an ongoing dune restoration initiative that aims to see dunes built along the entirety of Santa Monica Beach.
Dunes can provide natural defenses against impending sea-level rise, enhance wildlife habitat and beautify the coastline. The new installation will stretch from the Santa Monica Pier to the sands along the Venice border.
The Bay Foundation established its first dune restoration site in partnership with the city of Santa Monica in 2016, covering about three acres near the city’s Annenberg Community Beach House, followed by an additional five acres in 2024.
The new project will nearly double the area of dunes in active restoration at local beaches, covering nearly 20% of the sand, according to city officials.
“Santa Monica’s beach is more than an iconic destination, it’s a critical piece of our climate resilience,” Mayor Caroline Torosis said. “These dune restoration projects show that climate leadership can go hand in hand with environmental stewardship.”
About $3.5 million will be invested to support the establishment, maintenance, and monitoring of restored dunes, according to the city, with the money coming from a habitat restoration program that was approved by the California Legislature and is managed by the California Coastal Conservancy.
More about the Santa Monica Beach Dunes is available at The Bay Foundation’s website or santamonica.gov.
