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This paper examines the relative economic efficiency ofthree distinct beach erosion management policies ,-beach nourishment with shoreline armoring, beach nourishment wilholll armoring, and shoreline retreat. The analysis focuses on (i} the recreational benefits of beaches, (OJ the property value effects ofbeach management, and (iii) the costs associated with the three managemelll scenarios. Assuming the removal ofshoreline llrmoring improves overall beach quality, beach nourishment with shoreline armoring is the least desirable olthe three alternatives. The countervailing property losses under a retreat strategy are ofthe same order ofmagnitude as the foregone management costs when the beneficial effects of retreat-higher values ofhOllsing sen'ices for those houses not lost to erosion-are considered. The relative desirability of these alternative strategies depends upon the realized erosion rate and holl' manogemelll costs change over time.