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PHOTOS: Here's What LA's Reopened Beaches Looked Liked Last Week
Venice Beach on Saturday afternoon, May 16. (Brian Berrodin/LAist)
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L.A. County beaches reopened for "active use" on Wednesday. So, did visitors follow the rules? Sort of.
Here's what we saw:
Venice was much more crowded on Saturday than Wednesday (not surprisingly). A lot of visitors were sunbathing on the sand, which is expressly not allowed, although we know that public health offcials take into account that most people won't follow the rules. Some people chose to skirt said rules by sunbathing on the grass...near the sand. Also bikers were definitey using the (closed-ish) path.
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The good news? Everyone looked like they had enough room to socially distance.
It was a busy weekend at the Beach. Here’s a summary of our weekend statistics Friday, May 15-17.
— LACoLifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) May 18, 2020
Ocean Rescues: 452
Medical aids: 193
Emergency Vehicle Responses: 497. pic.twitter.com/DX3FWEmYca
Here are some photos of the scene in Venice, Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach.
Venice Beach on Saturday. (Brian Berrodin/LAist)
Lots of visitors on the sand at Venice Beach, Saturday May 16. (Brian Berrodin/LAist)
Aerial view of Venice Beach on Saturday May 16 (Brian Berrodin/LAist)
Visitors flood the Venice Beach Boardwalk on opening weekend, May 16, 2002. (Brian Berrodin/LAist)
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Shore fishing in Venice Beach on Saturday May 16. (Brian Berrodin/LAist)
Bike path in Venice on Saturday May 16, despite being "closed" to bikes. (Brian Berrodin/LAist)
The scene in Venice on Saturday May 16. (Brian Berrodin/LAist)
Beachgoer and/or performance artist in Venice on Saturday May 16. (Brian Berrodin/LAist)
When life gives you a pandemic, make sandcastles. (Brian Berrodin/LAist)
Manhattan Beach Pier on Wednesday May 13. (Brian Berrodin/LAist)
Manhattan Beach was noticeably empty when it reopened on Wednesday, possibly because it was a weekday. (Brian Berrodin/LAist).
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Venice Beach on Wednesday, the first day L.A.'s sandy shores reopened for "active use" since March (Chava Sanchez/LAist )
The Venice Beach Boardwalk on Wednesday, May 13 (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
Walking is allowed as per "active use" requirements. Masks are also required, but a lot of visitors weren't wearing them, Wednesday, May 13. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
Downtown Venice Beach on Wednesday, May 13 (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
Sunbathing isn't allowed on the sand, but no one said anything about the grass next to the sand... (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
Umbrellas specifically made the list of things you're not supposed to bring to the beach, but that didn't stop some visitors. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
Police on ATVs monitor beach activity in Venice, May 13, 2020. (Chava Sanchez/LAist )
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Runner on the bike path spotted in Venice. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
Clear signage in Santa Monica on Wednesday, May 13. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
Plenty of space to spread out in Santa Monica on Wednesday, May 13 (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
Parking lots closed in Santa Monica. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
More sunbathing on the grass in Santa Monica on Wednesday, May 13. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
Note: This post was updated with additional photos on Tuesday May 19 at 8:15 p.m.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
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