Surf Erosion Turns Carlsbad Beach into Rocky Shore, Parking Lot Shut Down

Tamarack State Beach in Carlsbad has been transformed into a rocky wasteland after relentless surf removed nearly all its sand within a fortnight, and a storm on August 31 scattered large boulders across the paid parking lot. California State Parks, lacking authority to repair the state-owned lot, announced an indefinite closure, leaving holiday-making visitors to search for parking on Carlsbad Boulevard and side streets.

The erosion follows Hurricane Genevieve’s early-August assault and persistent El Niño conditions that produced five-to-six-foot waves, damaging lifeguard towers and destabilizing the riprap that lines the shore. Jo Biswas of California State Parks said engineers are working on a design plan while monitoring safety. Local business owner Roberto Vigilucci noted the dramatic change, and similar coastal erosion problems have been reported at Malibu, Laguna Beach and Aliso Beach.