SEAL BEACH

In an annual effort, the city recently took down the sand berm stretching from the pier to the Naval Weapons Station jetty; the berm protects homes from high winter tides but also blocks residents’ views of the ocean. The sand from the berm was graded to create a 10-foot “crown,” or a gradual elevation peaking about halfway between the homes and the ocean. It protects the homes during summer but doesn’t block the ocean view.