Scenic SLO County boardwalk reopens after $1.8 million upgrade. What changed?
Cambria’s Moonstone Beach Boardwalk has fully reopened following a project to replace nearly 3,800 feet of the mile-long, oceanfront walkway off Highway 1.
The scenic boardwalk, which offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the San Luis Obispo County shoreline, meanders roughly parallel to the shore, Moonstone Beach bluffs, Moonstone Beach Drive and Highway 1.
Work to make the boardwalk safer and easier to navigate began in March and cost approximately $1.8 million, according to California State Parks district superintendent Dan Falat.
That was about $200,000 more than the original estimate because more of the boardwalk had to be replaced than previously anticipated, Falat said.
State Parks’ accessibility division funded the repairs.
How did Cambria’s Moonstone Beach Boardwalk change?
The project raised 3,759 feet of new boardwalk above sensitive bluff-top habitat and wetland areas while providing flatter routes, more compliant boardwalk surfaces and ramps and some parking spaces, all of which had to meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Some of the boardwalk segments were relocated inland, further from retreating bluff areas.
About a quarter of the mile-long boardwalk was not part of the ADA project, Falat said.
Planning for the upgrade was already underway in 2015 when Falat became superintendent of State Parks’ San Luis Obispo Coast District.
He said funding and other delays, along with competing ADA priorities statewide, had slowed progress on replacing sections of boardwalk.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Falat said. “I’m just glad it’s finished.”
According to Falat, no formal reopening ceremonies are planned as sections of the boardwalk have reopened as they were completed.
“The look of enjoyment on people’s faces is plenty of celebration for us,” he said. “It’s just part of what we do.”
Falat encouraged visitors to enjoy the views but avoid feeding the ground squirrels.
There’s a statewide infestation of the rodents, which are hard on the habitat. They can also bite, scratch and transmit fleas and some diseases to pets and humans.
This story was originally published October 18, 2023 at 1:00 PM.
