Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project
Overview
The Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project will create new public open space, protect key public assets, and ensure coastal access in the face of climate change.
Project elements include constructing a buried seawall to protect a pump station, recycled water facility, wastewater treatment plant, and other key infrastructure. Other elements include rerouting Great Highway traffic between Sloat Blvd and Skyline Drive away from the narrowest part of the beach, building a multi-use public trail with sweeping Pacific Ocean views where the highway is now, and improving beach health through the replacement of sand.
Winter 2026 Update
- While the mayor phase of construction is expected in 2029 due to California Coastal Commission coordination and other project elements, initial improvements to pubic safety and access are anticipated to begin in early 2027.
- Jointly led by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, SFMTA, SF Recreation & Parks, and the San Francisco Zoo, these improvements focus on access to the SF Zoo, bicycle/pedestrian safety, and traffic improvements listed below:
- New Zoo Gateway Entrance
- Relocate the westbound U-turn on Sloat Boulevard one block east, from Sunset Dunes to Lower Great Highway, to create a seamless, primary entrance to the Zoo.
- This new entrance is essential to allow vehicle and parking access once the Great Highway Extension south of Sloat Boulevard is permanently closed.
- Add a new Zoo vehicle exit onto eastbound Sloat Boulevard
- Create an expanded center median with landscaping and art/signage to create a welcoming gateway that celebrates and links to the SF Zoo
- Relocate the westbound U-turn on Sloat Boulevard one block east, from Sunset Dunes to Lower Great Highway, to create a seamless, primary entrance to the Zoo.
- Sloat Plaza and Bike/Pedestrian Improvements
- The relocated westbound U-turn on Sloat Boulevard will create an opportunity to build a temporary public plaza at the end of Sloat Boulevard that will allow safer walking and biking connections between Sunset Dunes, the Great Highway Extension, the SF Zoo, and Sloat Boulevard.
- Bike and pedestrian safety improvements will connect to the recently completed Sloat Quick-Build Project which included new protected bike lanes, crosswalks, and bus-loading islands on Sloat Boulevard.
- Safety improvements across the two-way bikeway.
- Traffic Signal and Buss Route Changes
- Changes to traffic control, turns, and crosswalks at 47th Avenue.
- New left-turn restrictions for vehicles and consolidated crosswalks to allow the SF Zoo exit to function safely and efficiently.
- With these changes, Muni's 18 46th Avenue bus route will be rerouted southbound to the Lower Great Highway to minimize turns and provide better connectivity to the Sunset Dunes Park.
- New Zoo Gateway Entrance
- Anticipated Timeline
- Late 2026 - Finalize initial improvements design.
- November 16 - Open House at the SF Zoo.
- December - SFMA Board Hearing (tentatively schedule, details will be shared at SFMTA.com/ZooAccess.
- Early 2027 - Initial improvements construction starts.
- Mid 2027 - Anticipated completion of initial improvements construction.
- 2029 - Major construction anticipated to start on the Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project.
- Join Us for an Open House
- Join the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, SFMTA, and the SF Recreation & Parks at a joint open house meeting hosted by the SF Zoo to learn more about initial improvements to public safety and access that are anticipated to begin in early 2027.
Monday, November 16
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Connie and Bob Lurie Education Center @ the SF Zoo
Sloat Boulevard at the Upper Great Highway
San Francisco, CA 94132
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Project Background
This project is the first major climate change adaptation project in San Francisco. It will create over a mile of new seaside trail; improve coastal access, recreation, and habitat at south Ocean Beach; and protect vital public wastewater and recycled water infrastructure. Climate change continues to threaten critical wastewater infrastructure and limit public shoreline access and recreational opportunities. Erosion from rising sea levels and intense storms will get worse, undermining and damaging parking lots, stormwater facilities, and the Great Highway.
Objectives and Components
The Ocean Beach Project design is guided by shoreline management concepts recommended by The Ocean Beach Master Plan, a collaborative vision for San Francisco’s western coast, led by the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR), which brought together community members, city agencies, and the National Park Service.
The overarching purpose of the Ocean Beach Project is to implement a long-term coastal management strategy for South Ocean Beach that addresses shoreline erosion and climate-change-related sea level rise. Specific project objectives and components include:
- Protect Critical Infrastructure: Construct a buried wall to protect wastewater infrastructure and recycled water facilities from shoreline erosion.
- Preserve and Enhance Coastal Access, Recreation, and Habitat:
- Construct a multi-use trail, beach access stairway, restrooms, and complete Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access improvements along Ocean Beach north of Sloat Boulevard;
- Remove the shoreline protection structures and debris, reshape the bluff to increase accessible open space area, and plant native vegetation.
- Continue beach nourishment (sand replenishment) as needed.
- Implement Roadway, Safety & Parking Changes:
- Reroute Great Highway traffic away from the beach between Sloat and Skyline boulevards
- Improve Adjacent Intersections: Improve the intersections at Great Highway and Sloat and Skyline boulevards to facilitate the changes in travel patterns resulting from closing this section of the Great Highway. The SFMTA is planning additional intersection improvements at the Sloat and Skyline intersection and along Sloat Boulevard.
- Parking: Construct a new parking lot with approximately 60 parking spaces near the southern end of the project’s multi-use trail (near Skyline Boulevard/Great Highway intersection). The 35-space parking lot at Great Highway and Sloat Boulevard will be removed.
- Additional:
- Reroute Muni 23 Monterey bus layover and turn-around.
- Reconfigure San Francisco Zoo parking entrance to ensure smooth access.
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2012 Ocean Beach Master Plan
In 2012, the Ocean Beach Master Plan, an inter-agency effort led by SPUR, recommended a sustainable long-term vision for all of Ocean Beach. The Master Plan presents six key moves that are organized by geographical reaches and designed to be implemented incrementally over a period of decades. The Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project focuses on south Ocean Beach and includes two of the six key moves.
- Removal of the Great Highway between Sloat and Skyline Boulevard.
- The introduction of a multipurpose coastal protection/restoration/access system.
The Project is being implemented in three sequential sub-phases: 1) Short-term Improvements, 2) Army Corps of Engineers Beach Nourishment, and 3) Long-term Improvements. The Long-term Improvements phase will require on-going, beach nourishment via sand placement.
Short-Term Improvements (underway)
The Short-Term Improvements has been underway for several years and provides interim protection and improved beach access while the Long-term Improvements are under development. The Short-term activities include beach nourishment activities and installation of sandbags along the southern portion of Ocean Beach fronting the Great Highway. This work is a critical environmentally friendly approach to protect public infrastructure and improve beach access until the Long-term Improvements are ready for implementation. Potential annual sand replenishment activities in this phase are informed by annual monitoring efforts required by the City’s Coastal Development Permit.
United States Army Corps of Engineers Beach Nourishment Phase (Completed, with ongoing coordination)
This work beneficially used the dredged sand to minimize storm damage and protect the beach, infrastructure, habitat, and recreational access to the beach. Construction was completed in summer 2021.
Long-Term Improvements (in design)
This portion of work would improve access, recreation, and habitat at South Ocean Beach and protect vital public wastewater and recycled water infrastructure. The Long-term Improvements are currently in the design and environmental review process. The Draft Environmental Impact Report was released on December 8, 2021. The Final EIR was published in early 2023. Construction is expected to begin in late 2029 and last for approximately four years.
Beach Access During Construction:
During construction, portions of South Ocean Beach would be closed to public access. Beach closure would likely be required for approximately six months per year, for each of the four years of construction. Walking along the beach from the water would be allowed during construction; however, access would be restricted to the nearshore area outside of construction zones. More information will be available ahead of and during construction, expected to start in late 2029.
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