Special Event Notice

We did it!!!

After a 12-hour hearing at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the California Coastal Commission voted 8-2 to reject the Foothill-South Toll Road and to save San Onofre State Beach.  They voted to save Trestles Beach, one of the most iconic and legendary surfing spots in the world. They voted to protect San Onofre State Park, and in doing so stood up for our entire California state park system. They voted to preserve the San Mateo campground, one of the last affordable family campgrounds in Southern California. And they voted to protect California's remaining open space, endangered species and coastal resources in the face of money-driven corporate developers.

Over 3,000 of you turned out at the Coastal Commission hearing yesterday -- making it one of the largest hearings in the Commission's history.

Why did they vote this way? Entirely because of you.

In the end, the toll road was stopped because over 3,000 people turned out at the hearing yesterday, wearing "Save the Park" t- shirts and carrying signs and painted surfboards. It was stopped because the Commissioners were literally inundated with your letters and phone calls urging them to do the right thing for our coast. And it was stopped because every-day people, across the state, took time out of their lives to participate in this critical environmental battle, took time to protect a beautiful coastal resource for generations to come.

This victory is entirely yours, and we cannot thank you enough for all your tireless work and involvement in helping to save San Onofre and stop this dangerous development project. In the end, we stopped much more than a toll road—we stopped a dangerous precedent from being set, one that would have left all our state parks and coastal resources in jeopardy to the highest bidder.

Lastly, thank the Commissioners by telling them why you love San Onofre State Beach.  Send to robin.everett@sierraclub.org. We will send as valentines to Commissioners Kruer, Blank, Reilly, Clark, Neely, Shallenberger, Wan and Achadjian.

Please take pride in knowing that you have been part of one of the biggest environmental victories in California's history. Because of  you, we'll not only be able to visit Trestles Beach and San Onofre State Park, but our children and grandchildren will be able to as well.

In solidarity, and with immense gratitude,

Friends of the Foothills

Check Out These Videos!

Click here to see former Sierra Club organizer Brittany McKee describe the dangers of the proposal to extend the Foothill-South Toll Road through California's 5th most popular state park - San Onofre State Beach.

With the permission of Huell Howser Productions, Sierra Club has made available for online viewing:
San Onofre State Beach – California’s Golden Parks with Huell Howser.

San Onofre State Beach is California’s 5th most popular state park.

Currently, visitors enjoy beautiful walks in one of Southern California’s last undeveloped coastal valleys, a peaceful secluded camping experience at the San Mateo Campground, and world class surf breaks at Trestles Beach — "the Yosemite of surfing."

However, this idyllic spot is threatened by the Foothill—South Toll Road. Imagine giant toll lanes soaring over peaceful campsites and relaxing hiking trails. View Map: Map of toll road through park.pdf

If constructed, the toll road would ruin the park experience for millions families who rely on San Onofre as an affordable vacation destination. The toll road would parallel San Mateo Creek, bisecting the park and paving over 320 acres of parkland. Huge steel and concrete pylons and gallons of polluted runoff would forever alter the natural flow and clean water of the creek that flows to Trestles Beach.

Californians set aside their parks to be protected forever.clean healthy surf and pristine parkland — that's the California dream. Help keep it alive by writing a letter using the attached sample letter (PDF File) and sending a message that you want our state parks and clean beaches protected.

Friends of the Foothills Volunteers Make a Splash Sacramento!

On Tuesday, Sierra Club, Surfrider and Save San Onofre Coalition members took the State Capitol by storm--literally!! In the pouring rain volunteers dedicated to saving San Onofre State Beach decorated the Capitol lawn with 161 little red tents representing the campsites that would be lost at the San Mateo Campground if the Foothill-South Toll Road is built.

Though the rain was against us, Friends of the Foothills persevered! We handed out s'more granola bars and fact sheets about our fight to those who worked at the capitol. We had a great press conference, with speakers from the California State Treasurer's office, California State Parks Foundation, Sierra Club and Surfrider. We received media coverage from Sacramento to San Diego!

Special thanks to all those that braved the rain and stood up for our park: Jerry Collamer, Ed Schlegel, Jack Eidt, Mike Hazzard, Deborah Fry, Amanda Fry, Candice Mize, Kyle, Steve Netherby, Janine Robinson, Carey Strombotne, Stefanie Sekich, Marty Benson, Rick Erkeneff, and Brian Alper.