Laguna Beach Can Reopen Coastline, Gov. Newsom Says

Ashley Ludwig
Updated ·5 min read

LAGUNA BEACH, CA —Laguna Beach, a city that has been notoriously careful with their spaces during the coronavirus shutdown, has been approved to reopen. Starting Tuesday, May 5, residents can step out onto the sand to walk, surf, or shell-seek according to the order.

Gov. Newsom's team and Secretary Crowfoot reviewed the City's plan to reopen beaches, and support the phased approach to responsibly and gradually open Laguna's shores, they said in a release, Monday. See the full list of approved activities, below.

After an order from the governor's office closed all of Orange County's beaches on Friday, authorities kept a close eye this weekend. The majority of the county's beaches remain officially closed after a judge rejected bids by Dana Point and Huntington Beach officials to lift the temporary closure. Laguna Beach's proposal shows that Sacramento is working with cities to re-release the beaches to residents.

"We appreciate the Governor's willingness to work with us to provide a responsible, gradual
approach to reopening all beaches in Laguna Beach for active recreation," said Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen. "This will allow people the opportunity to walk, jog, swim, and surf and get some fresh air and exercise on a limited basis, but not congregate or gather in large groups."

"Our beaches are a respite for many of us - and provide our community with an invaluable outlet for outdoor recreation and mental health," said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, who worked with local leaders to safely reopen Orange County beaches. "This progressive plan will reopen Laguna beaches in the most responsible way, ensuring public safety and a continued flattening of the curve. I commend Mayor Whalen and the City Council for their thoughtful, judicious and strategic response, now and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As we navigate this unprecedented crisis, we will continue to be led by science and facts - not by politics and not by fear."

Throughout the coronavirus crisis, Laguna Beach has served as an example of common-sense city governance, Congressman Harley Rouda said. "Coastal communities across the United States should follow in their footsteps by proposing multi-stage reopening plans, which include limited hours and active use only."

The phased plan will work this way:

  1. Phase one of the City's beach reopening plan includes limited beach hours on weekdays only for active use;

  2. Phase two includes limited beach hours on weekdays and weekends for active use;

  3. Phase three includes regular hours on weekdays and weekends for active use;

  4. Phase four includes the return to regular hours on weekdays and weekends for active and passive use of the beach.

Under phase one, Laguna Beach City Beaches will reopen weekdays starting Tuesday, May 5, from 6 – 10 a.m. for active recreation only. City beaches will remain CLOSED on weekends.
Adjacent City beach parks remain closed at all times.

Each weekday the City beaches and ocean water will close promptly at 10:00 a.m. and Laguna
Beach public safety staff will be present on beaches to enforce the closures. Those violating the
closure orders outside of the permitted timeframe or on weekends can be cited with a misdemeanor, fined up to $1,000, or arrested. Restrictions on morning beach activity are in place to encourage social distancing, protect the community, and slow the spread of COVID-19.

Walking ACTIVE RECREATION PERMITTED BEACH ACTIVITIES (including, but not limited to):

  • Walking, running, jogging

  • Ocean recreation: swimming, paddle boarding, surfing, bodyboarding, skimboarding,

  • kayaking

  • Physical activity which keeps individuals in non-stationary active motion

NON-PERMITTED BEACH ACTIVITIES:

  • Gatherings

  • Beach towels, blankets, easy-ups, tents, umbrellas, etc.- items used for settling in place

  • Sitting or lying on the beach

  • Setting up chairs and staying in place

  • Picnics/coolers/tables

This is an adaptive management plan, and each phase will be enacted on a trial basis. The
The City will move to the next phase only if it believes the activities can be managed to comply
with current directives regarding physical distancing and large gatherings. If it is determined
that a phase is creating an environment whereby physical distancing cannot be maintained,
the City will consider further limiting beach access or closing the beach until compliance
can be attained.

Over the weekend, lifeguards in Newport Beach asked about 2,700 people to vacate the beaches during a sweep that went from Newport Pier to the Santa Ana river bed, said Newport Beach spokesman John Pope. South Laguna Beach is controlled by the County of Orange and will remain closed until the county's plan to reopen is approved by the governor's office.

Over the weekend, an estimated 4,500 people visited the seven miles of beach from the Santa Ana River to Corona del Mar, Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles said. The majority of beachgoers complied and exited the sand after being told via PA systems, helicopters, boats and police and lifeguards.

In San Clemente, hundreds rallied to reopen the beaches, and businesses showed signs of reopening.

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This article originally appeared on the Laguna Beach Patch