The National Park Service is officially evaluating whether a sweeping stretch of Los Angeles County’s coastline could become part of the National Park System. It’s an ambitious proposal that could transform some of the city’s most iconic beaches into a nationally protected landscape.
And the public is being invited to help shape what happens next.
A defining part of L.A. culture
Beyond film sets and famous landmarks, Los Angeles has always been a beach city at its core.
Its coastline is an integral part of life for many Angelenos. From sunrise surf sessions to sunset strolls, these beaches are woven into everyday life. They’re gathering places, fitness hubs, and quiet escapes all at once.
Now, that cultural and natural importance is at the center of a growing federal effort to preserve it for future generations.
A 22-mile coastline under study
The National Park Service has launched the Los Angeles Coastal Area Special Resource Study, the first formal step in determining whether this region qualifies for national park status.
The study area stretches from Will Rogers State Beach down to Torrance Beach- roughly 22 miles of coastline along Santa Monica Bay. It also includes key surrounding areas like Ballona Creek, the Baldwin Hills, and parts of San Pedro, while excluding the Port of Los Angeles north of Crescent Avenue.
For the purposes of the evaluation, the boundary generally runs from the high tide line to about 200 yards inland. This area shows not just beaches, but wetlands, trails, and ecologically rich urban habitats.
What is a Special Resource Study?
Before any new national park is created, Congress needs clear evidence that a place truly meets the standards for designation. That’s where a Special Resource Study comes in.
This federally mandated process evaluates whether an area meets four key criteria: national significance, suitability, feasibility, and the need for National Park Service management. It also considers historical, cultural, and environmental resources, along with input from the public.
In the case of Los Angeles, the study was authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, directing the Department of the Interior to formally assess the coastline’s potential. The findings will ultimately be submitted to Congress, which would decide whether to move forward with designation.
Public input is a key part of the process
This proposal is as much about community voices as it is about conservation. The National Park Service has opened a public comment period through April 6, encouraging residents, visitors, and stakeholders to share feedback. Virtual public meetings have also been part of the process, offering updates and opportunities for questions.
Recordings of these sessions, from February 11 and March 11, 2026, are available online, giving anyone a chance to catch up on the discussion and better understand what’s at stake.
The project also has a dedicated website where updates, meeting notices, and study materials are regularly posted. Visitors can review information, explore documents, and submit comments directly to the study team.
What happens next
This isn’t a fast-moving process. The study will continue gathering research and public input before making any recommendations. From there, the Secretary of the Interior will submit findings to Congress.
Even if the results support designation, creating a new national park would still require an act of Congress or a presidential proclamation. So this is just the beginning of a much longer journey.
For those visiting now, it’s a chance to see it in its current form before it possibly becomes one of the most unique national parks in America.