Point Reyes Cliffs Retreated Nearly 33 Feet a Year in Coastal Erosion Hotspot, New Study Finds

POINT REYES STATION, Marin County — November 5, 2026. New coastal mapping research shows that cliffs in one part of Point Reyes National Seashore retreated at a rate approaching 33 feet per year over a seven-year historical period. The finding comes from a UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography study comparing airborne lidar surveys taken in 2016 and 2023, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle on October 27. The number describes a measured local erosion hotspot during those years — not every cliff in Point Reyes, and not a prediction that an additional 33 feet disappeared on November 5.

Why the new research matters

The scientists looked at changes in cliff edges along California’s coast, identifying sharp differences by location. The study found that selected Point Reyes cliffs had retreated approximately 10 meters, or just under 33 feet, per year over the historical measurement period. At the Lost Coast Headlands farther north, researchers identified a more extreme hotspot near 73 feet annually. Across the entire California coast, however, cliff-top retreat averaged just about 1.6 inches per year. These figures should not be confused: unusually fast local losses can coexist with a much lower statewide average.

Why coastal erosion is becoming a bigger safety concern

Wave action, rainfall, storm drainage, soft sediments and large landslides can destabilize cliffs that support roads, trails, structures and recreational access. Tall coastal slopes are particularly susceptible to large failures. The scientists hope repeated mapping will help agencies identify hazardous locations and focus monitoring where it is most needed. A reproduction of the university’s October 23 research announcement notes the unequal distribution of erosion and the value of continued statewide lidar monitoring.

Does the study mean Point Reyes is closed?

No. A geological study cannot by itself establish a current closure of any named beach, trail or road. California58 has not independently verified a new November 5 trail closure linked to these findings. Visitors should consult the National Park Service’s Point Reyes current conditions and heed all closures, beach warnings and signs restricting access to bluff edges. Avoid walking at the base of visibly unstable cliffs, particularly during high surf and after heavy rain.

Why November matters

Scientists and forecasters are monitoring an unusually strong El Niño and elevated ocean temperatures along California’s coast. Heavy rain and powerful surf during winter may raise the risk of additional failures in vulnerable areas, but no one can predict exactly when a particular bluff will collapse. Read California58’s statewide report on warm coastal water and upcoming king tides for the broader seasonal outlook.

Sources: UC San Diego Scripps 2026 statewide coastal lidar study, summarized in the San Francisco Chronicle October 27, 2026; National Park Service public-access resources. Published November 5 as a local explanation of the new research, not as a November 5 collapse alert.

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