A nearly century-old California landmark has been red-tagged and closed until further notice after a landslide caused it to drop approximately 20 feet on Thursday afternoon, leaving “a flow of debris” on neighboring properties as residents were evacuated and rail service was halted, according to a statement released by the city of San Clemente.
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, a nonprofit music venue and event space housed in the former home of San Clemente founder Ole Hanson, said it had canceled all future programs until further notice because of the sinking of the ocean terrace that occurred after “several days of minor earth movement,” sending rocks and dirt flying down the hillside.
“The safety and well-being of our guests, patrons, volunteers and staff remain our top priority,” read a statement from Amy Behrens, executive director of the historic structure, which was built in 1927 and hosts more than 40,0000 visitors each year. “We appreciate everyone’s understanding and we will keep you updated on the status of re-opening and the rescheduling of events.”
A landslide damaged the historic Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens and sent dirt and debris cascading down a hillside toward coastal railroad tracks on Friday, April 28, 2023, in San Clemente.
Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag
A sign in front of Casa Romantica shows the historic San Clemente landmark is closed Friday, April 28, 2023.
MediaNews Group/Orange County Re/MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Four residential units in the adjacent Reef Gate condominium complex were also red-tagged in the aftermath of the slide, before all 24 units were evacuated overnight as the hillside continued to move, Mayor Chris Duncan told the Associated Press.
Also affected was all passenger and freight train service used by Metrolink and the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency (the operator of Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner), which have been temporarily canceled because of debris falling from the slope north of San Clemente Pier.
“The tracks will only reopen once it is determined safe rail movement can resume,” the Orange County Transportation Authority said in a statement.
Rail workers check out the tracks below Casa Romantica in San Clemente on Friday, April 28, 2023. A landslide halted rail service in the area and caused four condos to be red-tagged out of concern for safety.
MediaNews Group/Orange County Re/MediaNews Group via Getty ImagesThe city also shut down part of the Beach Trail beneath Casa Romantica until further notice. The cause of the landslide remains unknown, but preliminary discussions of stabilization and restoration are underway, according to the statement from San Clemente officials. Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said “unprecedented amounts of rain” may have contributed to the instability of the hillside.
“This area here was being monitored for 10 days and every day, a little bit of landslide slippage, and so we really are hoping that it doesn’t drop any further,” Foley told KABC.
