Executive Director’s Report

At the Coastal Commission’s June meeting in San Diego, staff provided an update on recent agency activities, including:

• The California Multi-Agency Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative, a working group that includes the Coastal Commission as well as a dozen other state and federal agencies, recently published a report titled "Conservation Priorities for the Western Monarch Butterfly in California."
• Coastal Commission staff participated in a “Cutting the Green Tape” roundtable on restoration projects within the Butano Creek watershed. Efforts to streamline permitting included the agency’s San Mateo County Forest Health and Fire Resilience Public Works Plan.
• On May 28, Kids Ocean Day was celebrated across the coast. Events were supported by the Coastal Commission’s Whale Tail grant program. The theme for this year’s artwork was “Coast for All” in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Coastal Act.
• Coastal Commission staff continued the agency's Coastal Access Spotlight series, highlighting this month Whispering Sands Beach in the city of San Diego.
• The city of San Diego and the local chapter of the Sierra Club gave an update on new efforts to prevent harassment of sea lions at La Jolla Cove in the city of San Diego. (video)

Environment

The Coastal Commission approved upgrades to two pipe culverts in San Diego County at a crossing of the Tijuana River to help reduce the release of toxic air pollutants, such as hydrogen sulfide. The work is expected to improve air quality for neighboring communities.

Housing

The Coastal Commission granted waivers for accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, in Seal Beach, Oceano, Santa Monica, Venice, and Pacific Palisades.

The Coastal Commission granted a waiver for the demolition of a duplex and construction of four condominiums in an urban neighborhood of Hermosa Beach. The project will create new sidewalks.

The Coastal Commission approved land-use changes in Humboldt County to implement state density bonus law allowing for an increase in residential density and other incentives for projects that include affordable housing. 

Transportation

The Coastal Commission cleared the way for an 18-month pilot program in the city of Malibu to install a variety of safety improvements on Pacific Coast Highway, including new roundabouts, signage, crosswalks and bicycle lanes.

Public Access

The Coastal Commission approved changes to Dana Point Harbor that will expand opportunities for public access and recreation. The plan call for, among other things, converting former side-tie areas to free public day-use docking and installing ADA-compliant gangways to sportfishing and charter docks. 

The Coastal Commission approved a transparent, vertical suicide barrier on the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge that will save lives and reduce bridge closures. The plan also includes visual improvements along the Bayshore Bikeway in Coronado and in the San Diego community of Barrio Logan.

The Coastal Commission approved new hours of operation and the installation of gates at various beach parking lots proposed by the city of San Diego. Permit conditions include a suite of public access improvements, such as new bicycle parking, expanded mobility mats, printed and digital wayfinding tools, and interpretive panels. The city will also partner with the La Jolla Coastal Conservancy to advance the repair and reopening of the South Casa Beach stairway, which was closed due to storm damage in 2024.

The Coastal Commission approved new regulations proposed by the city of Pacifica to regulate “parklets,” temporary outdoor dining areas set up in parking spots. The new rules would limit the loss of public parking in high-demand areas near the beach. Each permit will have a one-year term to analyze any associated impacts to public access and other coastal resources.

Commercial

The Coastal Commission approved the conversion of a two-story office building into a commercial space, take-out restaurant and three hotel units, as well as demolition of three vacation rentals, and construction of a seven-room hotel in Morro Bay. The plan includes several public access improvements, such a new 10-foot-wide segment of the Morro Bay Harborwalk coastal trail, a pocket park, public restrooms and a floating dock.

The Coastal Commission approved the expanded use of public parking for the filming of the Baywatch television series in Venice Beach. 

The Coastal Commission approved the two-day Goldenvoice music festival on Santa Monica State Beach in September. The permit includes a community benefits program that, among other things, will provide 2,000 complimentary festival tickets for residents of underserved communities with historically limited coastal access. Other benefits include free concerts at local parks and 3,000 free tickets to Goldenvoice events taking place throughout the month at venues in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Barbara.

*All actions taken at the Coastal Commission's public hearing in San Diego on June 10 and 11, 2026. (video)



**Banner photo by Susan Perez, submitted for the 2021 California Ocean & Coastal Amateur Photography Contest.