Beaches

California’s first significant storm of the season filled storm drains with trash and debris that drained to the coast, and efforts to clean littered beaches have been hampered by stay-at-home orders during the pandemic, according to a newspaper report.

Recycle For Veterans, a non-profit organization, held a beach cleanup where dozens of volunteers spent their Saturday morning cleaning up trash along the beach in Oceanside.

Local authorities urged people to respect physical distancing rules required on the beaches and to take precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19 this Labor Day Weekend.

If you’re looking for advice from a doctor about staying safe from the coronavirus during holiday weekend travels, the short answer is stay at home. “This is not a time to let your guard down,” otolaryngologist Dr. Paul Schalch Lepe said. “I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade or ruin anyone’s vacation.” Staying indoors all weekend might be...

Many San Diego beaches and parks have reopened, but with new rules. Here’s a look at what park and recreation facilities are open again across San Diego including coastal cities, North County inland, East County and South Bay.

Gene Kang reports for Today in LA on Sunday, July 12, 2020.

Among the people marking their spots on the sands of Huntington Beach, the Sheppard family from Glendora was determined to make this an all day beach day. “It’s 102 at home… this is the only place you can get relief,” Sharon Sheppard said.  They set up early, with shade, chairs and games, seeking the ocean breeze. And they’re not...

One family set up early, with shade, chairs and games, seeking the ocean breeze. And they’re not alone. Christine Kim reports for NBC LA at 6 p.m. Saturday July 11, 2020. 

Gene Kang reports for Today in LA on Sunday, July 5, 2020.

Oceanside closed its beach parking lots, so did Carlsbad, following a request from the director of California’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), but San Diego did not.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said state beaches can stay open in San Diego County on the Fourth of July weekend, but their parking lots must close to limit overcrowding.

Due to the rise of COVID-19, Orange County closes their beaches for the Fourth of July weekend. Christine Kim reports July 2, 2020.

Nearly half of all California beaches earning spots on Heal the Bay’s annual Honor Roll for excellent year-round water quality are in Orange County, while Los Angeles County claimed three entries on the list, according to the environmental group report released Tuesday. According to Santa Monica-based Heal the Bay, 42 out of more than 500 beaches across the state earned…

Thousands of people packed the shoreline of the city beach in Carlsbad, in defiance of COVID-19 restrictions issued by the county of San Diego. Carlsbad police and lifeguards are not issuing citations. A Carlsbad Police Department spokesperson said they are choosing to “educate” and leave it up to the best judgement of beachgoers. But just to the south, where the…

With masks and police presence, “it doesn’t feel completely normal, but maybe like 30-50 percent back to normal,” one woman noted. Rick Montanez reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. Sunday May 24, 2020.

Orange County beaches drew crowds on Saturday, May 23, 2020.

Just in time for the unofficial start of summer, beaches throughout Southern California are slowly reopening. Christine Kim reports for Today in LA on Saturday, May 23, 2020.