More Doheny palms lost to recent king tides

Homeowners along the bluff top palisades of Capistrano Beach paused at their breakfast tables last Wednesday as the distinct “beep, beep” of reversing heavy equipment rang out below them on the strip of Doheny known as “Hole in the Fence”. Looking down, they were saddened to see several palm trees being dragged from the surf line - 4 more casualties in nature’s relentless assault.

State officials had no choice. The decades old palms, familiar witnesses to daily surfing, swimming, and fireside gatherings along this beautiful stretch of Doheny State Beach, had to go. Recent king tides and relentless erosion had pulled away sand and undermined roots, leaving these tired soldiers leaning precariously into the surf. Letting them stay meant endangering beach goers or risking floating palms that could become hazards to navigation. Shoring them up was pointless as the root structure has been underwater as often as it’s been on dry sand; and backing them up would mean digging a hole in the parking lot.

They haven’t always been here. In the 80,s local surfer Brad Raymond took it upon himself to “decorate” the beach. He and his buddies spent $250 on 11 trees they planted on State property, much to the chagrin of local rangers. When locals strongly supported the effort, they gave in and let them stay. A concert fundraiser added more, and long time residents say 25 or 30 palms lined the beach for the next 3 decades — until they started dropping one by one a couple of years ago.

NASA reports that sea levels have risen an average of .05 inches per year from 1900 to 2000. However, since then it has escalated to .13 inches per year and the 2017 Ocean Protection Council report estimates a 1 foot rise by 2030. None of this bodes well for SoCal beaches.

Residents are becoming concerned that the Surfside bridge across the railroad tracks bisecting this stretch is rapidly becoming a bridge to a parking lot instead of a useable beach. On most days, a towel can’t be laid parallel to the pavement at high tide without getting wet. Picnic tables and fire pits have been dragged back to the edge of the parking lot, and are sometimes moved to the other side of the road in advance of major surge and tidal events. The south end of the parking lot has been closed for months as the surf eats away at pavement.

Linda Goodwin-Teten grew up in the Palisades area of Capistrano Beach. She fondly remembers riding her pony down Palisades Drive and along Doheny Beach in the 60’s when times were simpler and the beach was wider. “I have amazing memories”, she said.

Today there are 13 palms remaining of the 30 or so planted 35 years ago. Residents expect it won’t be long before the last one bids a poignant farewell to a brief moment in the history of a well loved beach.