Princess Street Coastal Access Trail

The opportunity to directly experience our beautiful natural resources is an important part of being a San Diegan and a present or future steward of those resources.  That is why the Environmental Center of San Diego is committed to supporting appropriate public access to our beaches, coastlines, and open spaces.  The Princess Street Coastal Access Trail is one way ECOSD is working to restore and ensure public access to the coast in La Jolla, San Diego.

 About the Princess Street Coastal Access Trail Project

The trail has been the subject of a 40-yearlong effort by the community and California Coastal Commission to protect and restore the trail that had been used since the early 1900’s as a path to the beach by fishermen, skin divers, and surfers. On September 6, 2018, the California Coastal Conservancy awarded the Environmental Center of San Diego a grant of $38,860 to support for the restoration of the historic Princess Street Coastal Access Trail in La Jolla. Once completed, the trail will restore public access to a stretch of the shoreline isolated by development over the years. The Conservancy’s grant funds support the first phase of the project, including pre-construction assessment and preparation of the site and a master plan design of the trail.

To learn more about the history of the trail and the community’s efforts, read The Story of Public Access at Princess Street by local coastal access advocate Anthony Ciani. Additionally, the La Jolla Light published an article in July 2017 about ECOSD’s offer-to-dedicate and maintain the Princess Street access trail.

Project Phase One Plan and Updates

This first phase of the project is expected to be completed by Spring 2020. As of April 2019, preliminary preparation of the site is underway. A topographical survey and development of a master plan design of the trail will follow shortly.

 The planned trail will descend 50 feet from the public street at the blufftop to the beach and State Marine Reserve and La Jolla Underwater Park and will be open between sunrise and sunset. The Environmental Center, in partnership with the San Diego Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will maintain and monitor the trail and landscaping upon completion. 

Phase Two of the project, which will include construction of the trail, has yet to be funded. To help restore an important public accessway to the coast, please consider donating to support this project.Thank you!

 Project partners and supporters include:

  • San Diego Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation
  • La Jolla Park & Beaches
  • WindanSea Surf Club
  • The San Diego Dive Club