Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

News

Orange County Officials Ask Visitors To Stay Off The Beach

Only a few surfers are spotted on Huntington Beach, still practicing social distancing. (Screengrab from HB Cams)
()

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

Last week, Ventura and Orange Counties made the move to re-open some of their beaches. But despite 90-degree weather this weekend, they're urging visitors not to crowd them.

Officials say social distancing is still required and beach use should be limited to walking or biking, not sunbathing. They're also asking that people in other counties (ahem, L.A.) stay home.

Angela Bennett with the Huntington Beach Police Department told NBC 4 that the beaches are meant for local use only, adding that "there will be nowhere to park at all."

Despite the parking deterrent, though, images of Huntington and Newport Beach released yesterday showed crowds hanging out, as if we weren't in the midst of a global pandemic. Residents say visitors are finding nearby street parking and walking to the beach.

Support for LAist comes from

Orange County officials warn that if beaches become too crowded to ensure public health, they will close them again.

All Los Angeles County beaches remain closed this weekend and will have extra police on patrol. Cities such as Malibu, Santa Monica, and Long Beach will issue citations if necessary.

Mayor Garcetti put it bluntly at a news conference on Friday: "If you go out and hit the beaches and the trails, the safer-at-home orders will last longer, more people will be sick, and more will die."

The L.A. County stay-at-home order is in effect until May 15.

MORE ON THE BEACHES

Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 25. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
()


Support for LAist comes from

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.


As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist