The Dana Strands Seawall

Many southern Californians, from San Clemente to Laguna Beach and even beyond, have heard of the longstanding plans for a real estate development at the scenic and historic Headlands in Dana Point.

The Headlands is a 123 acre stretch of undeveloped bluff land north of Dana Point Harbor that also encompasses most of Strands Beach. Strands is a heavy beachbreak,which is adjacent to Orange County's legendary beachbreak, Salt Creek. Though not as consistent or well-known as Salt Creek, Strands has its days, and it has a talented crew of rippers to prove it.

The gorgeous stretch of land around the Headlands contains several endangered or threatened plants and animals, including the Pacific Pocket Mouse, and California Gnatcatcher. In his 1830 book, Two Years Before the Mast, explorer Richard Henry Dana called the land the "only romantic spot in California." Of course, we now know that there are a whole lot of romantic spots in California, but Dana was one of the first to recognize the Headlands' significance. Back before 1966, the Headlands also offered wind protection to one of California's best known righthand point breaks: Killer Dana. Killer Dana now rests in peace, buried somewhere underneath and behind the enormous riprap boulders laid down to create the Dana Point Harbor.

Killer Dana, R.I.P.

For many years, Dana Point's citizens have argued with potential developers over a longstanding zoning permit and building plan. That zoning permit would have permitted 400-plus homes, two resort hotels, and a large commercial center. When the residents of Dana Point objected strongly to this plan, a smaller compromise was sought. Today, that compromise involves the construction of a $500 million project that would build 125 homes, a 65 room inn and spa, five small parks, 62 acres of open space and a 40,000 square-foot commercial development at Green Lantern and Pacific Coast Highway. To gain the backing of Dana Point's citizenry, the developer, Sanford Edward also created a proposal for a lighthouse, a veteran's memorial and a cultural arts center.

Headlands Plan. Click this image to blow it up

Yet, according to the Surfrider Foundation, there remains a dramatic flaw with the current development plan. That plan is the construction of a massive new 2100-plus foot long seawall that would stretch from the stairs leading to Strands Beach, almost all the way to the bluff at the south end of Strands. The construction of this seawall could not only have profound implications for a popular but secluded stretch of beach, but indeed, for all the state.

To find out what's going on, SURFERmag.com had a conversation with Surfrider's Chad Nelson, Mark Cousineau and Mike Lewis. Draw your own conclusions from what follows. And if you feel like taking action, sign the online petition here. Read on: