County officials have re-opened the picturesque Table Rock Beach after studies decided a cliff overlooking the sand is stable.
Table Rock had been closed since Dec. 23, when a rockfall spilled boulders from cliffs high above onto the county-operated beach.
Debris from a rock slide sit on Table Rock Beach in Laguna Beach, CA, on Monday, April 18, 2022. The rocks fell from private property on to the county beach in December, closing the area until mid March. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Debris from a rock slide sit on Table Rock Beach in Laguna Beach, CA, on Monday, April 18, 2022. The rocks fell from private property on to the county beach in December, closing the area until mid March. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Debris from a rock slide sit on Table Rock Beach in Laguna Beach, CA, on Monday, April 18, 2022. The rocks fell from private property on to the county beach in December, closing the area until mid March. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Debris from a rock slide sit on Table Rock Beach in Laguna Beach, CA, on Monday, April 18, 2022. The rocks fell from private property on to the county beach in December, closing the area until mid March. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Debris from a rock slide sit on Table Rock Beach in Laguna Beach, CA, on Monday, April 18, 2022. The rocks fell from private property on to the county beach in December, closing the area until mid March. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Debris from a rock slide sit on Table Rock Beach in Laguna Beach, CA, on Monday, April 18, 2022. The rocks fell from private property on to the county beach in December, closing the area until mid March. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Debris from a rock slide sit on Table Rock Beach in Laguna Beach, CA, on Monday, April 18, 2022. The rocks fell from private property on to the county beach in December, closing the area until mid March. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Debris from a rock slide sit on Table Rock Beach in Laguna Beach, CA, on Monday, April 18, 2022. The rocks fell from private property on to the county beach in December, closing the area until mid March. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Geologic studies the county had done found the area to be stable, Marisa O’Neil, spokeswoman for OC Parks, said.
County crews did not have to do any reinforcement work in the area. Because the rockfall occurred on private property, the city of Laguna Beach was also involved.
“The beach remained closed while the county and the city reviewed geological reports to assess if the bluff presented an ongoing threat to the safety of beach visitors,” O’Neil said. “Both reports showed that the bluff appeared to be stable.”
Laguna Beach city officials had “no comment.”
The boulders that came down from the cliff remain on the sand, but are cordoned off with safety netting.
“They are left on the beach and will naturally wash out to sea,” O’Neill said.
Table Rock Beach is known for its coves, steep cliffs and a sea cave, and is often sought out as a backdrop for photos. The rocks that came down fell on the south side of the sea cave.
