Weather
Which Orange County Beaches Are Open, Closed During Heatwave
Not all Orange County beaches are closed due to coronavirus, but getting to the ones that are open could prove to be problematic.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA — If you are lucky enough to live in a beach town, your morning exercise is filled with sea air, sand, and cooler temperatures. If you're not, getting to the beach this week during record heat could be quite problematic, officials warn.
City beaches are closed, including Laguna Beach and Seal Beach.
San Clemente beaches will be open, yet parking is limited. Social distancing is expected to be followed, even among surfers waiting for waves, according a report in the San Clemente Times.
Find out what's happening in Laguna Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The following county beaches are expected to remain open to those who are enjoying the beaches responsibly in the time of social distancing:
- Aliso Beach
- Capistrano Beach
- Dana Point Harbor
- Newport Harbor
- Salt Creek Beach
- Sunset Harbor
Huntington Beach, with its mile of shoreline, has remained open to those who follow appropriate social distancing practices.
Find out what's happening in Laguna Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Parking is limited, and state officials remind that all are "safer at home."
After much discussion on outdoor activities during the Orange County Supervisors stopped short of closing south county beaches to outside visitors.
With Supervisor Don Wagner saying that residents should "get out and enjoy the sunshine," Supervisor Lisa Bartlett echoed the sentiments of Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen, who wanted beaches closed.
In previous weeks, inland valley residents descended on Orange County beaches for a bit of sea air.
"They're not even staying in their own counties," Bartlett said. "With the warm weather, I think it's going to be problematic" at the beaches, she said.
With its limited access and narrow beaches, Laguna Beach is not the place visitors should seek out this weekend, according to city officials.
In Orange County, masks are recommended to all, and mandatory for all essential workers.
California State Park officials have closed all car access to 280 state parks and have fully closed others, they say.
Will you head to the beach this weekend? Let us know your thoughts on social distancing at the shore: ashley.ludwig@patch.com
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