It's Good to Be Natural

But how will we know if Trestles has been saved? What are our standards? If the TCA had come up with a toll road plan that was only going to trash the campground, kill the steelhead trout, scatter the animals and dirty-up the ocean a little—but leave the waves in world class shape—would we even have considered Trestles endangered in the first place? The pollution plaguing our beaches everywhere else in the OC suggests not.

And if Trestles is saved, what are we saving it for?

Inspiration? Is this going to be some sort of natural chapel where we can take a break from the technological world we are erecting everywhere else and draw from the divine plan of plants and birds and rocks and things? If so, what for? Just so we can stock up on the spiritual sustenance we'll need to finish our construction job?

Entertainment? Do we want Trestles to be there because of some sort of tourist attraction mentality, or for bragging rights or because it would mess up the annual televised surfing competition? Delusion? Is conserving this pristine place—even if it isn't exactly pristine anymore—supposed to convince us that we're doing a good job of balancing the Man vs. Nature equation?

The answers to these questions are what make this verdant little corner the best place in Orange County. Because if we're only going to save Trestles and then go on as we have been . . . Well, why bother? Really. Christianitos Rd. and El Camino Real, San Clemente, (949) 492-4872.