A section of shoreline just south of the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles is being rebuilt quickly after Hurricane Marie reworked the beach, disrupting a planned oceanfront festival and pushing city officials to prioritize coastal protection as they prepare for tougher conditions.
Here's what to know
Near the Pico-Kenter Storm Drain outfall, Santa Monica has begun relocating sand, reshaping the beach, and raising a berm after surf and runoff damaged the area that had been designated for the Ocean Way Festival, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press.
To do the work, Public Works crews are using a front loader, dump truck, tractor, and rake to move sand from other parts of the beach. The city is also keeping its five storm drains clear and coordinating with Los Angeles County and private contractors in case heavier equipment or more sand is needed.
The response intensified after Santa Monica canceled the first Ocean Way Festival, which had been scheduled for Sept. 26-27 through a partnership with Goldenvoice. Officials determined the storm-damaged site could no longer safely support the event setup or the expected crowds.
The beach and Pier remain open for regular use, but the repair schedule matters on a bigger scale. Santa Monica is also preparing for ESPN's Super Bowl LXI presence beginning Feb. 8, 2027, as well as Olympic hospitality programming connected to LA28.
More background
City staff said the damage resulted from a combination of surf and runoff. Waves removed sand from the area south of the Pier, and water moving through the Pico-Kenter Storm Drain outfall cut a channel across the southern portion of the festival site. Officials examined whether the footprint could be reduced, parts of the layout could be moved, or the sand could simply be regraded, but none of those options worked.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
The impacts stretched beyond Santa Monica. Hurricane Marie's long-period swell also contributed to a sinkhole in Malibu, damage to the Long Beach Peninsula boardwalk and seawall, flooding in Seal Beach, and rail disruptions in San Clemente. During Labor Day weekend, Los Angeles County lifeguards logged 457 water rescues.
The Santa Monica Daily Press reported that the coastline may have to contend with a coastally trapped Kelvin wave linked to a developing El Niño that is expected to reach the Los Angeles area in early October. That could keep sea levels 6 to 12 inches higher for months, with added concern if it overlaps with king tides forecast for Nov. 24-26, Dec. 23-25, and Jan. 21-22.
What's being done?
Santa Monica is concentrating on replacing sand where it can, strengthening exposed parts of the shoreline, and keeping the drainage network functioning.
Officials are also planning beyond the current repairs. The Ocean Way Festival is expected to return in 2027, and the city is trying to protect a beachfront that is set to host several major events through 2028, including Club France and House of Switzerland during the 2028 Olympics.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center has put the odds of a "very strong" El Niño above 90%.
As City Manager Oliver Chi put it: "It is massively disappointing that coastal erosion caused by Hurricane Marie impacted our beach to such an extent that we could not safely host the Ocean Way Festival. Fortunately, the beach is open, the Pier never closed, and our focus now is on repairing the damage as soon as possible."
Where can I learn more?
These articles look at California flooding, coastal repairs in Maine, and stronger atmospheric rivers.
• In Santa Barbara and Ventura County, massive floods during California storms swamped communities and roads.
• In Bristol, Maine, crews began repairing an iconic coastal landmark after a major storm.
• On the West Coast, atmospheric rivers now rank by strength as storms grow more intense.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
