In anticipation of large crowds this weekend, the City will temporarily close all city beaches, Huntington Harbour beaches, Sunset Beach, and the Pier on Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5 to limit the spread of COVID-19. This decision was made in coordination with Orange County and the Cities of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, which will implement the same measures along their coasts. Orange County has seen a significant increase in COVID-19 cases this week, and these closures are intended to be proactive measures to help flatten the curve.
The Huntington Beach Police Department and the Huntington Beach Fire Department’s Marine Safety Division will be fully staffed to enforce the closures over the weekend. The City will also post 500 signs along its beaches and position 11 reader boards on Pacific Coast Highway to notify the public about the closures.
Additional measures will be taken to protect health and safety at the Harbor Beaches and Sunset Beach. Security guards and a lifeguard boat will patrol the Harbor beaches, while also facilitating access for water sports, such as kayaking and paddle boarding. Lastly, the Police Department will assign a special unit to monitor these beaches throughout the weekend.
To support the beach closures, all adjacent beach parking lots will be closed from July 4 through July 5. In addition, the City will close metered stalls along PCH and Beach Boulevard one day earlier, from July 3 through July 5. Please adhere to all posted signage regarding the hours of operations. Cars parked beyond those hours are subject to ticketing or towing by the Police Department.
The County has reported 14,413 cumulative COVID-19 cases to date, which include 345 deaths. As cases rapidly increase, the City encourages all residents and visitors to diligently practice social distancing and use face coverings to prevent infections. Your actions will save lives.
As our response to the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, the City is committed to providing the community with timely updates on www.HBready.com. For questions about City services and policies during this time, please contact our Call Center at (714) 536-5511.
