Rising sea levels are no longer a distant threat; they are a daily reality for coastal California towns. In places like Pacifica, apartment complexes have already been demolished as cliffs crumble. The concept of “managed retreat”—moving infrastructure inland—is gaining traction despite fierce opposition from homeowners. City councils are struggling to balance property tax revenues with the astronomical costs of sea wall maintenance. As insurance companies begin to pull out of high-risk coastal zones, the economic landscape of California’s iconic coastline is shifting toward a more precarious future.
Coastal Erosion: Why Malibu and Pacifica Are Reassessing Managed Retreat
