Sunken City: The Abandoned Coastal Town That Collapsed into the Pacific Ocean

A once-thriving coastal neighborhood in San Pedro collapsed into the ocean, and today, its eerie ruins still attract visitors.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:08pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in soft pools of warm color and light, depicting the crumbling remains of a coastal neighborhood overlooking the Pacific Ocean.The haunting ruins of Sunken City, a once-thriving coastal neighborhood that collapsed into the Pacific Ocean, now stand as a testament to the dangers of building on unstable cliffs.Los Angeles Today

In 1929, a slow-moving landslide caused about six acres of homes and residential property in San Pedro, California to collapse into the Pacific Ocean. The area, now known as Sunken City, has become a gathering spot for young people and a scenic overlook for visitors, despite being technically illegal to access.

Why it matters

Sunken City serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of building homes on unstable coastal cliffs. The collapse of the neighborhood highlights the importance of proper urban planning and construction to prevent such disasters from occurring.

The details

The loose volcanic soil in the area triggered the slow-moving landslide that caused the homes to sink into the ocean over several years. Today, the broken concrete and scattered remains of the former neighborhood have become a canvas for graffiti artists and a popular destination for visitors drawn to the ocean views, despite posted warnings about the site's instability.

  • In 1929, homeowners near Point Fermin began noticing their houses moving and sinking.
  • By the 1980s, the abandoned area had become a gathering spot for young people, earning the name Sunken City.

The players

Joseph Stackhouse

Director of Recreation and Parks Department of Los Angeles.

Cesar Martinez

A visitor to Sunken City who ignored the posted warning signs.

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What they’re saying

“So, you're looking at Sunken City on the east side, which is the most unstable side.”

— Joseph Stackhouse, Director of Recreation and Parks Department of Los Angeles

“Everyone ignores it, including us.”

— Cesar Martinez

The takeaway

Sunken City serves as a powerful reminder of the risks of building homes on unstable coastal cliffs, and the importance of responsible urban planning to prevent such disasters from occurring. Despite the site's dangerous conditions, it continues to attract visitors drawn to its eerie beauty and the cautionary tale it represents.