News Release

Golden Gate National Recreation Area announces environmental assessment for city-managed Ocean Beach project

The 3.5 miles of coastline that make up Ocean Beach mark the western border of San Francisco.

NPS/Alison Taggart-Barone

News Release Date: July 12, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO—In support of work to mitigate shoreline erosion and the effects of sea level rise, Golden Gate National Recreation Area has begun an environmental assessment for the City of San Francisco’s Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project. By granting the city an easement to construct a seawall and associated infrastructure, a nearby wastewater system will be protected and existing public access to the southern portion of Ocean Beach will be preserved.  

Ocean Beach has long been affected by coastal erosion and since the National Park Service acquired the property in 1975, it has worked with local, state and federal partners to address some of its unique environmental challenges. The city-managed project involves multiple public organizations and comes after earlier community engagement work conducted by city agencies. 

A portion of the city’s project will take place within the boundary for Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The area of Ocean Beach from Sloat Boulevard to Fort Funston would be closed to public access for several months of the four-year anticipated timeframe for construction. The project description for the environmental assessment will include annual sand management at the O'Shaughnessy, Noriega, and Taraval seawalls.  

The restroom and parking lot at Sloat Boulevard would be replaced during the project and access to the beach would be supplemented through the creation of a multi-use trail within the current alignment for the Great Highway. Additional project impacts to Golden Gate National Recreation Area include native plant restoration and wildlife habitat enhancement at Fort Funston. 

More information about the Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project is available on the San Francisco Planning Department website.  

The environmental assessment performed by Golden Gate National Recreation Area is expected to be available for public review in fall 2023. During that time, a 30-day comment period will allow community members to voice their feedback.