San Franciscans in 2024 voted to permanently remove cars from a 2-mile stretch of the Great Highway, creating a beachside park now called Sunset Dunes. While voters citywide approved the measure, the majority of residents who live closest to the park voted against it, sparking a yearslong debate over the west side thoroughfare. This measure would reopen it to cars on weekdays, leaving it closed to traffic on weekends and holidays. Passes with a majority vote.
Yes Argument
The Great Highway was part of many west side residents’ daily commutes, and the road closure has caused increased concerns over traffic congestion on nearby avenues. Opening the Great Highway to cars on weekdays would return the road to the pandemic-era compromise put in place before Sunset Dunes opened, allowing cars to drive on the road on weekdays and opening the land as a park on weekends.
No Argument
Voters citywide already decided to make the Great Highway car-free, and Sunset Dunes has become one of the city’s most popular parks. The lower portion of the Great Highway is already closed due to coastal erosion, and the whole road must also adapt to climate change. There is no compromise for putting cars back on the Great Highway on weekdays; this ordinance would require the city to tear down the art sculptures, skate park and other amenities that have been installed at Sunset Dunes in order to make way for cars.
Key Supporters
In Support
- Richard Corriea, retired SFPD Commander
- Quentin Kopp, president, San Francisco Taxpayers Association
- Alan Wong, supervisor, San Francisco
- Chinese American Democratic Club
In Opposition
- Sean Elsbernd, president and CEO, SPUR
- Lucas Lux, president, Friends of Sunset Dunes
- Scott Wiener, California state senator
- Sierra Club, San Francisco Bay Chapter
- Sunset Parent Advocates