Fourth of July is usually a big beach weekend. For more than 100 years, people from all over California have packed up the car and headed to the water’s edge with ice chests, blankets and picnic baskets to kick back and celebrate America telling King George III to take a long walk on a short pier.
But this year, with the coronavirus pandemic still spreading, there are a lot of changes on the coast.
Q: Didn’t I hear that Gov. Gavin Newsom closed all the beaches?
A: Not exactly. On Wednesday, citing the increasing number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, Newsom announced that all state beaches in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, two areas where there are lots of new cases, would be closed over July Fourth weekend from Friday to Sunday. He also announced that parking lots at all state beaches will be temporarily closing over the holiday weekend in nine counties: Marin, Monterey, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Sonoma.
Q: So that sounds like state beaches from Monterey County to Sonoma County are open, but their parking lots are closed?
A: Correct. That means that places like Wilder Ranch, Seacliff, Sunset and Natural Bridges state beaches in Santa Cruz County, and San Gregorio, Pescadero and Año Nuevo in San Mateo County, are open. You can walk or sit on the sand there, or go in the water. But there may not be anyplace to park. Parking along many stretches of Highway 1 is illegal, and it also is restricted in some coastal neighborhoods.
Newsom’s intention was to expand social distancing by reducing crowds where coronavirus can spread. But closing parking lots in the past has led to thousands of people parking illegally in neighborhoods and on Highway 1. It also means that coastal residents — who tend to be wealthier than the general California population — can walk or bike to the beaches, giving them easier access, even though under California’s constitution, beaches belong to everyone equally in the state.
Health officials say that COVID-19 is much more likely to be spread indoors than outdoors. Still, worried about crowds and potential outbreaks, many county and city leaders are asking people not to come to the beach at all this July Fourth weekend, even though many beaches are open.
Q: What about visitor centers and restrooms?
A: Restrooms are open in most places. Visitor centers are not.
Q: What about fireworks?
A: Coastal counties every year sound like war zones over July Fourth weekend as people shoot enormous amounts of fireworks off from beaches and other locations. They are banned in virtually every coastal area, and fines are tripled in some areas. In the city of Santa Cruz, for example, violators with any kind of firework, even “safe and sane” fireworks like sparklers, can be fined up to $1,500. Fines in parts of San Mateo County are $1,000 also. Don’t bring fireworks to the beach. Police will be out and writing tickets.
“Every year we have houses that catch on fire from fireworks,” said Elizabeth Smith, a Santa Cruz city spokeswoman. “We are in wildfire season. Fireworks aren’t just a personal danger, but a public danger.”
Q: What about beaches that aren’t state parks? Are they open?
A: Some are. Some aren’t. City leaders in Half Moon Bay and Pacifica have closed all beaches in those two towns over July Fourth weekend. People who walk on those beaches could face fines. That means no parking lots and no access to the sand. In the city of Monterey, local leaders have closed the sand and parking lots to city beaches there, but they say people can walk across the beach legally to get to the water to swim or surf.
County beaches in Sonoma and Marin counties are open, along with their parking lots. Most San Mateo County coastal parks, including Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Tunitas Creek Beach, and Devil’s Slide Trail, are closed over the weekend.
In Santa Cruz and Capitola, city beaches are open. So are parking lots at those beaches. The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is open. And although food service, shops and some other amenities at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk are open, rides are closed.
Q: Are any national park beaches open?
A: Yes. Most beaches at Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County, including Limantour and Point Reyes Beach North, are open. Beaches that are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area are also open, including Ocean Beach and Baker Beach in San Francisco, and Stinson, Muir and Marin Headlands beaches in Marin County.
But at the request of the city of San Francisco, parking lots in San Francisco beaches will be closed, although parking lots at Marin County beaches will remain open.
Bottom line: It’s a fluid situation. Don’t just drive to the coast. If you are going to come, make a plan. And bring a mask, in case you go into a store or come closer than 6 feet from people outdoors who are not members of your family.
“We recommend knowing before you go,” said Charles Strickfaden, a spokesman for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. “Check the agency website before you go. Things are changing.”
