Economic factors restrict beach access in California, says UCLA researcher

January 25, 2017
Tourists explore the rocky shoreline of Pacific Grove, a small town located on Monterey Bay.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Jon Christensen of UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability recently co-authored a report about shoreline access in California with researchers from San Francisco State. The findings of the study indicate that economic factors pose a significant barrier to beach access for Californians, many of whom are discouraged from making the trip by costs associated with travel, parking, and overnight accommodations. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Christensen commented, “this new research shows that we are at a tipping point where deciding to visit the coast is a close call for most Californians, given the cost.”

Source: Getting to the beach often comes down to one thing for people: Money Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan 2017

Additional coverage about the study:

Proposed legislation calls for more affordable overnight accommodations along the California coast Los Angeles Times, 01 Feb 2017

Panel calls for removal of economic barriers to beaches New American Media, 30 Jan 2017

Biggest obstacles to California coastal access are economic UCLA Newsroom, 26 Jan 2017