San Clemente Prepares to Host Surfing at the Summer Olympics 2028, Locals Weigh In
The announcement that the summer olympics 2028 will bring Olympic surfing to Lower Trestles has turned a familiar local surf break into a focal point for athletes, environmental advocates and city leaders. The LA 2028 Summer Olympics marks the third time surfing is part of the Games, and Lower Trestles will be used as the competition site for the first time.
Lower Trestles and local concerns ahead of Summer Olympics 2028
Lower Trestles, long prized by surfers, has faced pressures from overdevelopment, coastal erosion and invasive plant species. The Surfrider team focused on coastal preservation has been working to protect the area since 2005 and remains cautious about the extra crowds the summer olympics 2028 could draw. There is particular sensitivity to past international events where temporary infrastructure harmed sensitive ecosystems; the 2024 Olympic surfing venue in Tahiti drew scrutiny for installation work that damaged coral.
Local preservation leaders express confidence that event organizers and state park managers will seek to minimize harm, but they also voice concern about whether unique dune systems and protected wild spaces can withstand large-scale visitation. This places an emphasis on planning, restricted access at the break itself, and careful management of spectator flows to the surrounding public spaces.
Local athletes, tourism and municipal preparations
The path to the Olympic stage has begun for regional competitors: just 30 miles up the coast, Huntington Beach hosted athletes competing in an elite surfing series that marks the start of the qualifying process for Olympic hopefuls. One local athlete, Eden Walla, who began competing at age nine and calls Lower Trestles her home break, described excitement about seeing her home spot showcased and the possibility of competing there.
City leadership is balancing opportunity and capacity. The mayor expects the beach at Lower Trestles to see fewer casual spectators than past championship events on the break because of tighter security and restricted access, while forecasting a larger event footprint in town. Planned watch parties across San Clemente aim to concentrate celebration and fan activity inland, and officials are preparing for a tourism surge tied to the Games.
Accommodation capacity is a practical concern. San Clemente currently has limited lodging, and city leaders are tracking two hotel projects they hope will be completed in time for the event. Municipal discussions also include temporary adjustments to short-term rental rules; there is interest in easing permit restrictions for the duration of the Olympics month to allow more visitors to stay in the city.
Looking ahead: preservation, celebration and logistics
San Clemente will also mark a civic milestone the same year the Games arrive, with town centennial celebrations planned that will overlap with Olympic activity. Local officials anticipate a year of dual festivities and recognize the need to safeguard the coastal environment while accommodating visitors and athletes. The coming years will test the community’s ability to host an Olympic discipline in a way that balances heritage, ecology and economic benefit.
Details on operational plans, crowd management and final event setups remain in development. Stakeholders emphasize careful stewardship and community engagement as essential steps to ensure that Lower Trestles endures beyond a single global event.
