Reacting to Sunset Cliffs’ neighbors’ complaints about increasingly large and unruly crowds leaving garbage, noise, and traffic behind, District 2 Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell on May 8 called for reassessing the situation, with the possibility of temporarily closing the park.
“Since our parks and beaches have been opened San Diegans have, for the most part, done an excellent job following public health orders while returning to public spaces for passive use,” said Campbell in a press release. “Unfortunately, this has not been the case in Sunset Cliffs Natural Park or in the greater Sunset Cliffs community.”
Both Campbell’s and Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s offices have been closely monitoring the situation at Sunset Cliffs, after receiving numerous reports of people parking and partying in nearby residential neighborhoods into the wee hours.
“While I appreciate the resources we have invested there – it’s clear this issue is not getting any better,” said Campbell. “Protecting public health has been a priority for me. I believe it’s time we take a step back to better assess the opening of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park to protect public health, discourage illegal gatherings, and keep people safe.”
Pointed out Campbell aide Jordan Beane: “Clearly, something is not working. So we need to do something to make it work.”
Beane added it was too soon to say yet if Sunset Cliffs Natural Park would be closed, under what terms, or for how long and what time(s) during the day. “It falls within the mayor’s purview, as he did in April, to decide which parks are to be reopened for passive use, and which are not,” Beane said. “The mayor could also dial things back. He controls parks and recreation staff.” Added Campbell, “Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is more than just a neighborhood park like Kate Sessions or Western Hills. As a regional attraction, Sunset Cliffs is more aligned with Mission Bay or Balboa Park and therefore similar restrictions should apply. “I’m asking to consider that Sunset Cliffs Natural Park (both linear and hillside sections) be temporarily closed in the interest of public health and safety. I look forward to working with the mayor and city staff to activate this plan as quickly as possible.”
Sunset Cliffs neighbor Glen Volk, who recently embarked on a full-court-press lobbying effort of City officials to spur action on curbing Sunset Cliffs’ crowds, was somewhat surprised by Campbell’s announcement. He added he is not in favor of shutting the park down 24/7.
“My belief is that we should be closing Sunset Cliffs after dark, but not during the daytime where we haven’t had any major issues,” Volk said. “It’s been busy with the usual crowds, and surfers use it. I would hate to see them get their legs cut out from underneath them. It wouldn’t be fair to them. This is a nighttime thing.”
Added Volk: “When the sun goes down, the park turns into a different animal. Police closed parking on the cliffside of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, and the surrounding neighborhoods have been inundated since with people parking there and partying. The City really needs to shut down the neighborhood from all the traffic. They need to shut down the park at night, and tell the people who’ve been parking on residential streets, ‘If you’re not a resident, you have to leave.’”
Since Sunset Cliffs Natural Park was reopened on April 27, after it was closed for about a month due to the Covid-19 pandemic, neighbors claim the situation has become unmanageable and have been calling on the City to take action.
Dedicated in 1983, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a 68-acre resource-based park stretching along the ocean bordering the western edge of Point Loma. The 18-acre linear section of the park lies to the west of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard between Adair and Ladera streets.
The 50-acre hillside section, a designated multiple species conservation area, links to the 640-acre Point Loma Ecological Reserve beginning at the Navy property to the south. The park’s topography includes intricately carved coastal bluffs, arches, and sea caves. It affords inspiring panoramic ocean views.