A California beach lost most of its sand in less than 2 weeks |
FILE: Visitors enjoy Tamarack State Beach in Carlsbad, Calif., in November 2024.
Most of the sand at a popular California beach has disappeared.
In the past two weeks, strong swells caused by Hurricane Genevieve have battered the Southern California coast, transforming Tamarack State Beach near Carlsbad from a sandy paradise into a rocky stretch of shoreline. As the sand drifted out into the ocean, riprap boulders that line the beach’s parking lot have moved perilously into unstable positions.
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Not only will locals need to adjust to the lack of sand, but the storms also left at least 35 parking spaces blocked off at the parking lot, which has been crumbling without enough protection. Multiple lifeguard towers were also relocated.
The state-owned beach, also known as Carlsbad State Beach, is known as a premier surf spot. The dramatic change occurred just weeks after the beach’s annual Slamarack tradition — an event where hundreds of people pack the beach to cheer on surfers as they surf perilously close to each other.
California State Parks spokesperson Jorge Moreno said the state is now working with “coastal engineers to evaluate potential solutions that will help keep the parking lot open while minimizing further damage.”
FILE: The sun sets........