Access to the popular Thousand Steps Beach in South Laguna is expected to be closed off until early December by repair work the county is planning on the steep concrete staircase that leads to the sand.
The 218-step staircase, shaded by a canopy of ivy, gets heavy use because of the breathtaking views and beach access it provides to hundreds of thousands of people each year. The steps dipping down to the sand are tucked among multi-million-dollar homes from South Coast Highway to the shoreline below 9th Avenue.
County officials have made several repairs to the staircase over the years, but increased used more recently has sped up the wear on the concrete, said Marisa O’Neil, public information officer for OC Parks. Repair plans call for work on both the steps and the railing.
Access will closed off completely for about two-and-a-half months starting Sept. 20. Work on the staircase is expected to be done on weekdays.
“The stairway leading to Thousand Steps Beach has been deteriorating over the last several years,” O’Neil said. “Maintenance patching has been completed on several occasions, but has not lasted.”
To start, the contractor will evaluate the level of deterioration to determine how deep the concrete damage is, O’Neil said. From there, they will proceed accordingly. They will remove and replace exposed rebar for every step as needed, she said.
Despite the heavy use, the county has only one documented injury occurring on the steep staircase in the past four years, O’Neil said.
Historical records show steps to the beach date back in the area to 1905. They were first used by nearby homeowners who owned shares in the stairs. In the 1970s, they were a subject of litigation when nearby homeowners tried to restrict access. The stairs were made public and rebuilt by the county in 1982.
Thousand Steps Beach is one of the more popular beaches in Orange County and on warm days is typically packed.
The beach is patrolled by OC Lifeguards. The staircase can make beach rescues and first aid calls more difficult. Helicopters are often needed to hoist people with head, spine or cardiac issues because of difficulty accessing the stairs.
Over the holiday weekend, OC Lifeguard Chief Jason Young estimated there were about 80,000 visitors to South Laguna beaches, including Thousands Steps.
“Thousands Steps was typically crowded with stair walkers and beachgoers, and parking was full along South Coast Highway,” Young said. “Monday was the busiest and most crowded day.”
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September 08, 2021 at 09:24PM
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Repairs to close popular Thousand Steps Beach in South Laguna until December - OCRegister
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