Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
News

PHOTOS: Here's What LA's Reopened Beaches Looked Liked Last Week

Venice Beach on Saturday afternoon, May 16. (Brian Berrodin/LAist)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

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.

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.

The good news? Everyone looked like they had enough room to socially distance.

Here are some photos of the scene in Venice, Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach.

Sponsored message
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)

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)

Sponsored message
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).

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)

Sponsored message
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 )

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)

Sponsored message
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.


icon

DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletters for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.

Terms of Use and Privacy Policy


One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today