‘Retreat’ Is Not An Option As A California Beach Town Plans For Rising Seas

An aerial view of the coastline of Del Mar, Calif., located about 20 miles north of downtown San Diego. The city has voted against a formal policy of ‘managed retreat’ from rising seas.

Art Wager / Getty Images

About 150 steps from John Imperato’s Southern California home, pavement gives way to an ever-shrinking stretch of soft sand.

Imperato lives in Del Mar, a small, affluent town just north of San Diego. He spent his life savings to live here. He wanted to raise his son like he grew up, withing walking distance of the sea.

Del Mar is a picturesque place; its name means “of the sea,” in Spanish.