Manhattan Beach Dune Restoration

Bringing Back Native Habitat

Bruce’s Beach in Manhattan Beach⁠ will bring the native dunes back to life along thirteen prominent blocks. From 36th Street to 23rd Street – approximately 0.6 miles of coastline – the Manhattan Beach Dune Restoration project will enhance the three acres of existing back dunes. Our design reverses traditional hardscape and greyscape restorations by integrating diverse wildlife with a living shoreline. In turn, this approach also combats recent climate impacts, like sea level rise and wave or storm erosion. ⁠

Conceptual Site Plan – 24th Street

Conceptual Section Plan

Signage plays a key role in illustrating the importance of the largest dune system in Southern California.

RIOS is also working on interpretive signage elements along the entire length of the project, similar to our efforts with The Bay Foundation on the Malibu Living Shoreline. The main interpretive sign takes the form of a surfboard, nodding to one of the most popular beach time activities to draw visitors’ attention.

The main interpretive signage also encourages visitors to envision Manhattan Beach as it used to be — the El Segundo Sand Hills, which had dunes up to 150′ high and covered 96 miles where roads, businesses, and homes now stand.

The secondary signage illustrates native plants used in the restoration, highlighting their growth patterns and role in the dune ecosystem. These double as wayfinding, with one plant located at each street’s beach path. ⁠⁠