Gov. Newsom Reopens Orange County Beaches For Active Use

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —The beaches are open, though the parking lots remain closed, the county reported Thursday. As the second heat advisory for Orange County baked the coast, the final portion of Orange County beaches were reopened for active recreation only. Thousand Steps Beach will remain closed, the county said.

"Appropriate physical distancing must be observed. Parking lots remain closed," they said.

• Permitted: Non-stationary activities like walking, running, swimming, surfing, paddling, boating, kayaking, etc.
• Not Permitted: Sunbathing; building sandcastles; bringing coolers, umbrellas, grills, etc.; volleyball, spike ball and other group activities.

• Beach hours are as follows:
  • County Beaches in South Laguna Beach (Aliso, Table Rock, West, Camel Point and Treasure Island beaches): 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. weekdays only. Closed weekends. Thousand Steps Beach will remain closed.
  • Capistrano and Poche Beaches: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
  • Salt Creek and Strands Beaches: 5 a.m.-12 a.m. daily.
  • Baby Beach: 5 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
  • Bayside Beach (at Newport Harbor Patrol) – 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

City beach hours are different, according to each town, though all are invited to exercise, swim or surf. Dog walking is permitted in Laguna Beach, if the dog is leashed, and visitors are allowed from 6 to 10 a.m., Monday through Friday.

San Clemente beaches and the pier are open for exercise, swim, or surf seven days a week in the morning hours. Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach and Dana Point beaches were also reopened this week.

Visitors will not be able to haul along beach chairs, umbrellas or lay out on beach towels, as all visits to the shore are only for exercise purposes.

The National Weather Service warned that the weather could mean heat-related illnesses for sensitive groups, including people living in portable temporary shelters.

It urged area residents to limit outdoor activities, wear light-colored and lightweight clothing, drink plenty of water, and never leave, children, the elderly or pets in a hot vehicle.

Forecasters said this heat wave, which is caused by high pressure, could be hotter than the last one, which ended last week, and added that heat records are possible Thursday.

Sunny skies were forecast in Orange County the remainder of the week. Several communities will remain in the 90s through Thursday before slipping back to cooler weather, with temps in the 80s on Friday and falling to the 70s on Monday.

The heat advisory for inland Orange County will remain in effect until 9 p.m. Friday evening, the National Weather Service reported.

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