Parking Lots And Restrooms At Half Moon Bay Beaches Reopening This Saturday, May 30

Press release from the City of Half Moon Bay California:

May 28, 2020

Memorial Day weekend on the coastside was, unfortunately, not a pleasant time for our community.

With the crowds came mounds of trash, cars parked haphazardly on neighborhood streets, visitors walking through sensitive habitat and erosion-susceptible areas, even using lawns as restrooms, beach-goers using the still-under-construction (and blocked-off) Poplar Beach stairs, and other careless behavior.

Our local beachside environment is one of the things that makes Half Moon Bay such a special place, for which we all share a sense of responsibility and pride – and, frustration when it is not respected by others.

To help prevent a recurrence of this unacceptable situation, and to create the safest environment for residents and visitors, the City has been working for the last few days with San Mateo County, the State, and California State Parks to allow for the reopening of the parking lots and restrooms at the beaches within our jurisdiction. We expect that providing these services will alleviate intensity of the problems we faced last weekend.

Visitors and locals should remember that social distancing protocols should be observed at all times when in public areas. Specific to the beaches, the San Mateo County Health Order states that beaches are to be used only for running, walking, cycling, water sports, or other form of physical activity. To prevent crowding and reduce the potential for spread of COVID-19, prohibited at beaches are the use or possession of umbrellas, shade structures, tents, BBQs and grills, coolers, chairs, hammocks, and other items designed to sit or lounge.

Although it is needless to say, no one should be walking in areas off-trail or where signs indicate sensitive habitat. And, it is dangerous and damaging to access Poplar Beach via the under-construction stairs, or down the erosion-prone slopes.

The reopening of parking lots and restrooms applies to all beaches within Half Moon Bay, from approximately Cañada Verde Creek in the south, to Pillar Point Harbor in the north. And, just so you know: at the risk of inviting even more people to the Coastside, we’re sending this information out in a news release with the hope that the message of “respect the Coastside” and the applicable regulations will be seen by the people who have been engaging in this kind of detrimental behavior.

Thank you to our Half Moon Bay residents for their patience and understanding during this very difficult time – we at the City share your concern and frustration, and will continue to monitor and respond to the situation in the coming weeks.

This press release was produced by the City of Half Moon Bay California. The views expressed here are the author’s own.