A lifeguard tower that once concerned neighbors at Moss Street Beach for being “too industrial looking ” in a small cove known for its steep cliffs and surrounding historic homes is now being celebrated as something that will add beauty to an already picturesque scene.
On Friday, May 17, residents and city and state officials were at Moss Cove to unveil the new tower design, called “Smooth Roll Blues,” a copy of a surf break photographed by Breck Rothage several years ago at Aliso Beach. The lifeguard tower is part of an overall beach access renovation that also on Friday included reopening the just-completed staircase to the beach below.
The beach project — completed ahead of schedule and on budget — had closed off the cove since October and included demolition of the former stairs and retaining walls.
The stairs’ configuration was reworked to more deftly sit within the surrounding cliffs, while also providing better views of the rocks and beach below. With the staircase come new hand railings for improved safety and accessibility. There is also new drought-tolerant landscaping that can handle the salty air and water spray. Block cinder walls that once obscured beach views from the street are gone.
There are also bicycle racks to encourage eco-friendly transportation and make the beach more accessible to cyclists.
The project is one of a series of beach-access improvements being made in Laguna Beach. In the past 15 years, the city has upgraded 10 other staircases along its coastline. The stairs at Pearl and Agate streets were the most recently completed. Still on tap are Fishermen’s Cove, Diver’s Cove, Cress Street and Victoria Drive.
The Moss Street project cost is nearly $2.7 million – the construction contract was $1.8 million of that. With help from Sen. Dave Min and Assemblymember Diane Dixon, a state grant provided $1.2 million for the project.
“This is a great feather in the cap for Public Works,” said Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf, complementing the city staff for the project’s completion ahead of schedule.
“The redesigned stairs, walkways and a new lifeguard tower not only enhance accessibility but also preserve the natural beauty of our coastline,” she said. “This underscores the city’s commitment to improving coastal access and environmental stewardship.”
Min also touted the importance of making use of, and preserving, open space not only in Laguna Beach, but throughout Orange County.
“This is our outdoor playground; it’s part of our legacy and birthright,” he said, adding that is why he and Dixon secured funding. “Not just for local residents, but access for all of California.”
Kempf commended Irvine artist Rothage for his part in donating artwork to cover the new fiberglass lifeguard tower that replaces a smaller, 1960’s-era red-painted lifeguard chair with an umbrella that sat on a wooden platform for decades. The upgrade comes as the city changes its towers to help give lifeguards a better view of the ocean and sand to protect beachgoers, while also having better protection from outdoor elements.
Residents of Moss Cove – also known as Moss Point – were initially unhappy when city officials announced plans in 2022 to replace the lifeguard chair stand with the enclosed tower. They said the change would detract from the cove’s beauty and ruin the views from their homes. The 250-yard-wide beach is in Laguna Beach’s Marine Protected Area and is known for its tidepools, snorkeling and diving opportunities.
They gathered signatures and asked the City Council to consider alternatives to the initial plan.
“Our concern was that it was just too industrial-looking,” said Nolan Miura, a resident whose home looks over the staircase and lifeguard tower to the ocean below. He and other neighbors pushed the council to consider adding the artwork, which they said was more fitting with “Laguna’s legacy as an artist community.”
The council agreed to make the tower seasonal — meaning a crane will lift the tower in and out of the cove when it’s not in use. Also, this week, the council agreed to the plan that allows the scenic wrap to cover the tower.
“We’re happy with the outcome,” Miura said, who is also paying several thousand dollars for the weatherproof wrap to be installed in the coming weeks.
Miura said that the covering will be similar to what Dana Point uses around its utility boxes to make them more attractive throughout the community.
“I saw Breck’s work at the Festival of Arts and thought it would go well,” Miura said. “I reached out to Mayor Kempf, who thought it was a good idea. We’re very happy with the outcome. I’d like to see more of this on other lifeguard towers along the beach; it’s a good way to thread the needle between marine safety and the residents.”
Rothage, too, was enthusiastic about the opportunity to have his work displayed so publicly.
“I think the Laguna Beach coastline is the most beautiful stretch of beaches in the country,” he said. “Moss Beach is where so many people take family pictures, and wedding and engagement pictures. Mayor Kempf was wonderful to work with, and Marine Safety was all about getting everyone together. That’s how government should work.”
After the unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony, locals made their way down the stairs.
Among them was Connie Kalter, with her rescue dog, Lulu, a husky mix.
She admired Rothage’s artwork and commended Miura for having the idea.
“When friends come from L.A., I always bring them here,” she said. “This is my favorite beach. It’s magical. I’ve missed the months I’ve been away.”
