ACEC California 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area – China Beach Parking and Beach Access Project, located in San Francisco’s Sea Cliff neighborhood, has received a Commendation Award in the ACEC California 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards competition.

Nestled in a quiet cove between Baker Beach and Lands End, the China Beach Bathhouse was originally built in 1957 as a beach motel. As part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s 50th anniversary in 2022, a $20 million renovation was approved to restore and repurpose the facility. Today, it serves as the headquarters for the GGNRA Ocean Rescue Patrol.

ACEC California’s annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition honors outstanding achievements in engineering and land surveying projects completed by California firms. Submitted in the “Small Project” category, the China Beach project was recognized for its structural systems, site enhancements, accessibility, and alignment with the mission of the GGNRA and the historical significance of the site. The award was presented during the Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet, held on the evening of Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency in Orange County, California.

The event drew nearly 400 engineering and land surveying professionals, including representatives from firms and public agencies. Hosted by ACEC California’s 501(c)(3) Scholarship Foundation, all proceeds from the banquet benefitted the foundation’s scholarship initiatives.