The California Coastal Act was designed to protect the shoreline from adverse development. The Chart House restaurant chain happened to have a restaurant that preceded the act, built on pilings over the beach at the state’s best known bodysurfing break. Our design upgraded the restaurant and added to its area through the acquisition of an adjoining structure. We gutted the awkwardly laid out dining area and implemented a casual booth layout as the organizing theme that had the appearance of throw cushions and fit the California lifestyle. We also provided ADA accessibility and redesigned supporting structure to withstand the force of storm waves.