Short answer: winter waves carry the sand offshore, and the rocks underneath show. Scripps Institution of Oceanography: "High and steep winter waves move sand from near the waterline to an offshore sandbar, narrowing the beach available for recreational use. Gentler summer swell pushes sand back upslope and widens the beach." The difference is typically 50 to 80 feet of beach width between summer and winter.
This year it reached the parking lot: California State Parks says Carlsbad State Beach's Tamarack day-use lot is closed to cars because of erosion from summer swells and high tides. You can still walk or bike in.
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The sand that's been put back
- 2001: SANDAG's first Regional Beach Sand Project pumped 2.2 million cubic yards of sand onto 12 badly eroded local beaches, 140,000 of them on Solana Beach's.
- 2012: SANDAG placed 1.5 million cubic yards on beaches in Imperial Beach, Oceanside, Encinitas, Solana Beach and Carlsbad.
- 2021, Cardiff: a pipeline pumped 63,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from San Elijo Lagoon, under the I-5 bridge, onto Cardiff State Beach (SANDAG with Caltrans, the City of Encinitas and State Parks).
Is more sand coming? Not on a set date. SANDAG's Regional Beach Sand Project III would dredge beach-quality sand from offshore onto highly eroded beaches over the long term. Its planning phase covering all eight San Diego County coastal cities finished in July 2025, and as of early 2026 SANDAG is seeking federal and state funding for the next phase (engineering and environmental work).
From SANDAG's beach sand page and the City of Solana Beach's shoreline management page.
Solana Beach erosion and the bluffs
The City of Solana Beach says the natural supply of sand to its beaches has been interrupted by development, flood control structures, dams, roads, the railroad and other hard structures along the shore, and that "existing erosion is exacerbated by storm surge and strong waves at high tide," narrowing the beaches.
The City's safety advice: "Stay well away from the bluffs, overhangs, and caves at all times."
From the City of Solana Beach's beach sand page and safety guidelines. Carlsbad's dark sand: we couldn't find an official local explanation, so we don't guess.
More: beach hours · king tides · storm prep · Carlsbad water quality today.
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Questions people ask
Why is Carlsbad beach so rocky?
Winter waves move sand from near the waterline to an offshore sandbar, exposing the cobbles underneath; gentler summer swell pushes it back (Scripps Institution of Oceanography). Beaches are typically 50 to 80 feet narrower in winter.
Why is the Tamarack lot closed in Carlsbad?
California State Parks says the Tamarack day-use lot at Carlsbad State Beach is closed to cars because of erosion from summer swells and high tides; it's open to people on foot and bikes.
Has sand been added to North County beaches?
Yes: SANDAG's Regional Beach Sand Projects placed 2.2 million cubic yards on 12 beaches in 2001 and 1.5 million in 2012, including Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas and Solana Beach.
When will sand be added to North County beaches again?
There's no date yet. SANDAG's Regional Beach Sand Project III finished its planning phase in July 2025, and as of early 2026 SANDAG is seeking federal and state funding for the engineering and environmental phase.
Why is Solana Beach eroding?
The City of Solana Beach says development, dams, flood control, roads and the railroad cut off the natural sand supply, and storm surge and strong waves at high tide make existing erosion worse.
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