The dirt road into San Onfore Surf Beach, a quaint bit of shoreline just south of San Clemente known for its epic, rolling waves, is once again shut to vehicle access because of erosion. Damage this time is due to a combination of king tides and swell this week that chomped away at the beach and dir t road, leaving little space for cars to pass and park. Surfers and beachgoers are limited to an upper paved parking lot, which has fewer than two dozen spaces, making the wait to enter the beach even longer than usual. Residents from Los Angeles to San Diego counties are being advised to avoid entering the ocean due to abnormally high surf causing large waves and possible instances of coastal flooding. The National Weather Service issued a beach hazards statement that will be in effect through Friday morning in Orange and San Diego counties and Saturday morning in Los Angeles County, warning of “tidal overflow” that could flood some beach areas. Forecasters warned of high tides reaching 7.2 to 7.7 feet, primarily between 8 and 10 a.m. each morning. This week’s damage at San Onofre State Park’s beach, the latest in recent years that has limited access to the shore, comes just ahead of a community meeting on Saturday aimed at starting conversations to figure out solutions for San Onofre’s future. This week’s damage is different than last year when the entire road was washed out by heavy storms, said State Parks Lt. Jeff Kennedy. This time, the tides chomped away at the sand from the ocean side and impacted the main water line, making restrooms, showers and water services unavailable, he said. Though the road into the beach is closed, the area remains open and accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists and surfers, he noted. “We are actively monitoring and evaluating damage, coordinating with maintenance partners, and working toward restoring full services,” Kennedy said. “At this time, we cannot confirm when the lower lot access or facilities will be restored. We will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.” Surfer Mike Hankle said he hopes people will still be able to park in the area to access the beach, especially because he’s already paid for his annual State Parks pass, even if it means parking on the bluff or the nearby campsite with a “surfer shuttle.” King tides, which happen naturally each winter during select days, are present in the morning hours through the week, reaching higher than 7 feet locally, though the swell is easing, which could spare more damage. Officials won’t be able to determine the full extent of the damage until the king tide event has passed, Kennedy said. San Onofre State Beach is closed to vehicle access due to king tides and surf eroding the beach, the latest in a series of damage to the beloved beach. Surfer Mike Hankle navigates the rocks to get up the dirt cliff to make his way to the paved parking lot that holds less than two dozen spots (Photo by Laylan Connelly/SCNG) San Onofre State Beach is closed to vehicle access due to king tides and surf eroding the beach, the latest in a series of damage to the beloved beach. Surfer Mike Hankle navigates the rocks to get up the dirt cliff to make his way to the paved parking lot that holds less than two dozen spots. (Photo by Laylan Connelly/SCNG) San Onofre State Beach is closed to vehicle access due to king tides and surf eroding the beach, the latest in a series of damage to the beloved beach. (Photo by Laylan Connelly/SCNG) San Onofre State Beach is closed to vehicle access due to king tides and surf eroding the beach, the latest in a series of damage to the beloved beach. (Photo by Laylan Connelly/SCNG) San Onofre State Beach is closed to vehicle access due to king tides and surf eroding the beach, the latest in a series of damage to the beloved beach. (Photo by Laylan Connelly/SCNG) San Onofre State Beach is closed to vehicle access due to king tides and surf eroding the beach, the latest in a series of damage to the beloved beach. (Photo by Laylan Connelly/SCNG) San Onofre State Beach is closed to vehicle access due to king tides and surf eroding the beach, the latest in a series of damage to the beloved beach. (Photo by Laylan Connelly/SCNG) San Onofre State Beach is closed to vehicle access due to king tides and surf eroding the beach, the latest in a series of damage to the beloved beach. (Photo by Laylan Connelly/SCNG) The king tides this week washed away sections of beach and a dirt road that gives access into San Onofre State Beach. (Photo courtesy of Howard Fischer) The king tides this week washed away sections of beach and a dirt road that gives access into San Onofre State Beach. (Photo courtesy of Howard Fischer) The king tides this week washed away sections of beach and a dirt road that gives access into San Onofre State Beach. (Photo courtesy of Steve Morgan) Show Caption1 of 11San Onofre State Beach is closed to vehicle access due to king tides and surf eroding the beach, the latest in a series of damage to the beloved beach. Surfer Mike Hankle navigates the rocks to get up the dirt cliff to make his way to the paved parking lot that holds less than two dozen spots (Photo by Laylan Connelly/SCNG) Expand More than 150 people have signed up for the community meeting being hosted by Surfrider Foundation in the historic cottage at the San Clemente State Beach, maxing out capacity, said Alex Mignogna, coastal adaptation manager for the nonprofit. The discussion is the first in a series planned on the “San Onofre Shoreline Resilience Project, funded by a $1 million Coastal Conservancy grant. The year-long study will host several community meetings, as well as engineer surveys and monitoring, followed by the creation of shoreline resilient designs with nature-based concepts. The grant covers about 60% of engineering design, and by the end of next year, Surfrider will seek more funding to get through a final design phase and determine how much is needed to execute the plan. The upcoming open house will touch on the history of the area and offer a chance for the public to give feedback on what they are concerned about and how they use the park, Mignogna said. “Anyone who visits Surf Beach at San O can see the challenges,” she said. “We have a road on a beach and beaches shift and change. That’s kind of the nature of what they are, but to maintain a navigable road for visitors and emergency vehicles, we have to manage how the beach changes.” Already in recent years, about half the parking has been lost to erosion, she said. There’s also work in progress for a “mid-term” plan looking at what options exist if the road washes out permanently. “The biggest challenge is to figure out how to maintain the integrity of a wild, primitive beach, but also maintain access,” Mignogna said. “It’s a big task for sure, but I have a lot of faith in all of us.” “I don’t know if there is a more loved beach than San O,” Mignogna added. “This is a really special spot.” City News Service contributed to this report. ...read more read less